RESTORATIONISM - MISUSES SCRIPTURE

Restorationism Takes Its Stand Upon Certain Truths Which are Misused

God is a God of Love - Arg. and reply: Therefore, they say, He will restore the sinner. But God is also just and Holy. Holiness is fundamental in God. See Isa. 6. God is just as much a God of love today. But there is suffering today.
Cf. vs. 3 "And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."
We have all felt the wonder and the glory of this chapter. It records the vision which came to the prophet when Uzziah died. For the first time in Israel's life the throne of Judah was vacant. The man who had symbolized national order and authority had nassed away. Then he saw the Throne which is never vacant, and the King, the Lord, Who never dies. He saw Him, moreover, surrounded by spirits of fire, serving Him, in worship, or-as in the case of the one who came to the prophet with the cleansing coal-in service. This vision gave him a new conception of Jehovah, and created, a crisis in his work.. The words we have emphasized constituted the song of the worshipping seraphim. In our thinking of this song we are too apt to think only of the first half, that in which they celebrated the holiness of Jehovah. Certain it is, that this was, and is, the first note. It must never be omitted or placed second. It gives interpretation to that which follows. But let us go on. They in their worship also celebrated the fact that "the whole earth is full of His glory." Thus, here in the Old Testament is emphasized the truth which contradicts the false idea that anything in the earth itself is inherently evil. The earth is full of His glory, which glory is manifested in its form, its colour, its resources for human well-being. Evil is there, but it is a poison introduced from without. Against it, the holiness of Jehovah is forever at work; and at last, through redeeming activity, its victory will be won. Then, the whole creation, set free from the bondage of evil, will utter forth His praise. These are the fundamental convictions which make great ministries.

 Christ died for all men - Arg. and reply:
See discussion of 1 Tim. 2:5 on preceding article.