I moved this to a new thread since I feel this one is getting bogged down and you pose a good question that I think deserves a little attention.
You wrote:
You asked the question “If God wanted simply to get people to accept, why not just reveal Himself now, why keep hidden at all?” For starters, I would proffer that this question could just as easily be rephrased “Why deal with Israel before the revealing of Christ since Christ was the ultimate revelation from God?” or, “Why deal with the patriarchs before dealing with Israel, since Israel was what the aim was”; in asking these alternative questions, I am hoping to establish a pattern of what appears (to me at least) to be a slow outworking of God's purpose. And in so saying, I might suggest that it's possible−possible−that Christianity (to use the term) is sort of a “pilot scheme”.He has said in posts here that when they see Jesus they will all accept him. My response would be; If God wanted simply to get people to accept, why not just reveal Himself now, why keep hidden at all? We know He will eventually, as in Johns Revelation, but still many refused to repent. Note He was here and still they crucified Him, why is it in hell that they all repent? And why is God waiting till they are in hell? If they see Him shouldn’t that be enough, that’s what a believer is, one who accepts because of what he has revealed, not what is unrevealed or brought about by torture.
The matter of judgment comes into perspective when we consider that individual judgment is on the basis of what one knows, what one had opportunity to know, and how one lived in harmony with what light he had. Not all would equally know and understand all issues to be known and understood in their walk with God. So, however much we might personally come to know and see, it would still be a matter of “partial knowledge” in this lifetime.—Rom. 2:12-16.
Abraham didn't fully appreciate what God's promises would encompass. Likewise, the Jews clearly did not appreciate the role of Messiah and God's dealings with them. (Remember, at the beginning of the first century, the Jews had a 1500+ years covenant relationship with God and a heritage going back even further to Abraham and Shem. Yet, when Christ was there the Jewish nation seemed rather bleak and pathetic given the kinds of self-serving ethnocentric hopes and claims the various sects entertained, wouldn’t you say?)
“I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”—1 Cor. 4:3,4.
The “motives of men’s hearts” that Jesus will ultimately “expose” will surely include whatever highly personal and strong motives that led individuals to reject the Bible and its testimony when they were presented with it. After all, Jesus did say of some Jews who had rejected him when he came to them in the flesh performing miracles: “I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you… it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matt. 11:22,24) But “bearable” how? Jesus didn’t give all the details, did he?
“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?… Do you not know that we will judge angels?”—1 Cor. 6:2,3. (The word “judge” has interesting implications when we consider that Biblically—depending on context—the word judge can mean condemn and adjudicate as well as deliver and rescue.)
With regards to viewing Christianity as a “pilot scheme”, I do feel that there is something that has to be factored in regarding judgment and punishment that I don’t profess to completely understand. A closer consideration of passages where Jesus and the apostles refer to punishment or the risks of loss would provide some hints or clues. Things such as those who keep looking back while plowing, those who beg off from attending the feast, etc. I suspect that most of what was said (at least by Jesus) was in direct response to the sneering and attacks by the scribes and Pharisees, etc. And if so, then in these cases it would be appropriate to apply the punishment to these groups in particular because they were actively working against Christianity at the very time that Jesus was on earth attempting to firmly establish it.
Obviously, questions remain about those who are considered “unworthy.” What happens to them, etc.? If there is a gnashing of teeth and weeping outside in the darkness, is that done literally by them while on earth on being raised to life again? Are such punished by being “left behind” as some think—only, is it a being left behind to live out a short duration of time as a non-progressing human with no further prospects beyond this? Or is it more of a metaphor for being humiliated by being publicly judged and ostracized by those around them? I don’t think we can know for sure at this time, but pondering and guessing can be interesting and stimulating—and frankly, I think that’s at least one of the reasons for the absence of details.
But the broader notion, that God has a greater purpose, a reason for incrementally bringing people to him; from the days of the ancient men of faith; to the Jewish nation; for giving certain people “advantages” (compare Romans 3:1) to the Christian age and to perhaps what lies ahead, I think just maybe there is more to the picture than we are privy to, and perhaps God has His reasons for playing the cards “close to his nose”. Perhaps Christianity too, like Judaisim, has “advantages” that we don't yet fully recognize, and to miss out on that opportunity now may not mean the ultimate cutting-off of all who fail to respond, they would nevertheless miss out on some blessings and opportunities.
Regards, Brenden.
