A reader offered the thought that, “Revelation assumes a strict dichotomy between good people and bad people, with no people in between.”
I offered the view that the dichotomy he is referring to is represented throughout the Bible, not just in its last book. In fact, the “strict dichotomy between good and bad people” is the basis of Biblical Christianity beginning with Lucifer in Heaven, through sinless Adam who ultimately is thrown from the garden, to mankind’s sin nature on earth.
The dichotomy of good and evil is not limited to the book of Revelation, nor is it limited to the only two locations one can go following death.
Human Perspective
We do live in a world of shades of gray. Often we are forced to choose the lesser of evils in our day to day lives and, of course, that will not be true after death, in Heaven or in Hell. However, from God’s perspective there remains a Biblical dichotomy while man resides on earth. It is exemplified through Scripture including verses such as…
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”.
It is not a matter of comparing ourselves against others in God’s view. We all sin and as such are all condemned. Further, our efforts at doing good deeds to offset our bad behavior has no bearing on our eternal residency.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
God’s Perspective
To God, we, today, on this earth, are bound for either Heaven or Hell (the ultimate dichotomy). And since that will be an eternal condition, our short time on earth pales in comparison.
The Point of the Dichotomy
The solution to our ongoing sin nature is no different than the second thief on the cross being crucified next to Jesus, when Christ said to him, “ today you will be with me in paradise”. A personal relationship with Christ, accepting Him as both our Savior and our Lord, is the watershed decision we can make that moves us from the consequences of our sins to an eternity fellowshipping with the Creator of the universe.
Romans 10:9-10 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
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Author – Jeff Hilles | BCWorldview.org
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