Good Monday Morning to this week 39 of 2023
Chapter 39
Today I listened to a podcast with J. Kaldeway after his writing of the book called “Large heaven, and little hell”. The speaker shared his theological views on heaven and hell and made this comment about evil … that’s it’s also like a sown seed!
I quote; There is profoundly, irreversible wicked. The evil one, as written in the Bible, is so hardened against God that God no longer wills to reverse the evil. Yet, from God comes an act of mercy to erase the evil. Evil is the refusal to respond to God’s strong pull, he keeps going after us seeking to draw us to him through his Grace. Because the human will is so broken, so weak, and so entangled in circumstances, God takes this weak, broken will into account. He considers it to such an extent that He will create a new Earth and a new city – called the New Jerusalem. That’s also why God sent His son, Jesus, that many will be saved. The question of the enduring existence of a small hell is raised. As J.K further qutoes, “Punishment is the harvest of what one has sown.” This principle is often quoted in the Bible, emphasizing that individuals will face consequences for their actions. There is a possibility for all people to sow a seed, many will reap heaven by grace and some will reap hell. In hell are people who no longer allow themselves to be redeemed by God, much to the regret of God the Judge.
Judgment is not that God has pronounced a punishment, but that God has waited infinitely long and ultimately no longer pursues the person, letting them reap what they have sown … very difficult thoughts!
Back to the part we know a lot better ….
He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. (Luke 13:18-19)
The mustard seed is a small seed that comes from the mustard plant, which is a member of the cruciferous family of plants. It is known for its tiny size, typically about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter, making it one of the smallest seeds in the world.
The mustard seed is used metaphorically to illustrate how something small and seemingly insignificant can grow into something much larger and impactful. The mustard plant itself can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching heights of over six feet, and it produces a large number of seeds. It encourages believers to have faith in the potential for growth and transformation, even if their efforts seem modest or insignificant at first.
As we navigate these profound thoughts, it’s important to remember the message of hope and redemption that underlies them. Through God’s boundless grace and endless patience of calling and going after us, there is an opportunity for all to sow seeds, leading to a harvest in the heavenly.
The intricate interplay between God’s mercy and the consequences of our actions remains a mystery , yet it invites us to reflect on the depths of God’s love and the profound nature of His almighty being.
Wishing you a good start to this new week!
Philemon