Biblical atrocities... ????

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Originally posted by funkmasterfreaky:
Romans 3
25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[1] through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--

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This verse looks back to the whole history of human sin before it was judged at the cross - what you've been referring to as unacceptable - a holy God letting sin pass for four thousand years, from Adam to Christ. God has been righteous (just) in "passing over" sin, both in pardoning without judgment those who believed in Him and those who were His enemies. Why? Because He had already planned to send Christ to become the propiation* for the whole world. God's righteousness (justice) is seen clearly when He judged human sin openly in Jesus' sacrifice.I also thought of Psalm 73 in connection with this thread:
1
Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!
2
But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
3
For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4
For there are no pains in their death,
And their body is fat.
5
They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like mankind.
6
Therefore pride is their necklace;
The garment of violence covers them.
7
Their eye bulges from fatness;
The imaginations of their heart run riot.
8
They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak from on high.
9
They have set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue parades through the earth.
10
Therefore his people return to this place,
And waters of abundance are drunk by them.
11
They say, "How does God know?
And is there knowledge with the Most High?"
12
Behold, these are the wicked;
And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
13
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
And washed my hands in innocence;
14
For I have been stricken all day long
And chastened every morning.
15
If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
16
When I pondered to understand this,
It was troublesome in my sight
17
Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18
Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19
How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
20
Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form.
21
When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
22
Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24
With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27
For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
28
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works. [This message has been edited by Chara, 12-19-2002]