NosyNed writes:
Yes, I'm saying that it is not obvious enough that there is a strong correlation between wickedness and punishment. At best there is some when humans handle it. No hint that god does.
I agree with you in that I would like speedier punishment for wickedness also.
I wonder, though, if that would also negate faith.
There is that saying that says, "What comes around, goes around". I wonder if people eventually realize/believe, that people do get "punished", that they receive a recompense for their deeds. It just doesn't happen as quickly as we would like, sometimes.
Can you think of people who seem to have gone through this life unpunished for certain deeds?
I know of some cases where people don't seem to receive obvious,
visible punishment but are punished
mentally. I can think of many people who are miserable and unsatisfied and yet have accumulated much wealth or are considered successful. Hugh Hefner comes to mind. Surrounded by beautiful women but no
real love.
Remember (in the bible) what God did to Nebuchadnezzar! That must've been something to behold.
28 All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar.
29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.
32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Daniel 4:28-37.
edit: spelling, and added the words "to behold".
This message has been edited by dpardo, 11-01-2004 02:52 PM
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