Falling Into the Hands of the Living God

[Tim B]

Most people read Hebrews 10:31 and think that falling into the hands of the living God, whilst terrifying, must also mean the sinners ultimate ruin.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

Hebrews 10:31

 31fearful [is] the falling into the hands of a living God.

But David didn't seem to think so. In fact, he preferred it over the hands of men.

2 Samuel 24:14

 14And David saith unto Gad, `I have great distress, let us fall, I pray thee, into the hand of Jehovah, for many [are] His mercies, and into the hand of man let me not fall.'

It seems too that based on these verses: God's wrath is NOT like man's wrath. God's "wrath" is merciful, whereas mankind's appears to be generally only cruel in nature.

Maybe the two verses shouldn't be connected. But hey, why not?

[aspiring son]

Most people read Hebrews 10:31 and think that falling into the hands of the living God, whilst terrifying, must also mean the sinners ultimate ruin.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

Hebrews 10:31

 31fearful [is] the falling into the hands of a living God.

But David didn't seem to think so. In fact, he preferred it over the hands of men.

2 Samuel 24:14

 14And David saith unto Gad, `I have great distress, let us fall, I pray thee, into the hand of Jehovah, for many [are] His mercies, and into the hand of man let me not fall.'

It seems too that based on these verses: God's wrath is NOT like man's wrath. God's "wrath" is merciful, whereas mankind's appears to be generally only cruel in nature.

Maybe the two verses shouldn't be connected. But hey, why not?

I think these two verses should definetly be connected. After God's judgements on Israel mercy always followed. In fact, God would always tell them that mercy would follow after his harsh judgements through the prophets. It's carnal thinking that gets in the way. That is why man's wrath is confused with God's love. That is why ET' ers think it is just to torment people forever. They fail to realize sin as sin, whether it be murder in the first degree or a little white lie you told someone you thought was harmless. It's all on the same scale. You fell short, period.
Falling into the hands of God can and is harsh yet at the same time comforting, and if we don't fall into the hands of God, how else do we learn that it is by GRACE that we are saved?

Blessings

Brandon

[Tim B]

Most people read Hebrews 10:31 and think that falling into the hands of the living God, whilst terrifying, must also mean the sinners ultimate ruin.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

Hebrews 10:31

 31fearful [is] the falling into the hands of a living God.

But David didn't seem to think so. In fact, he preferred it over the hands of men.

2 Samuel 24:14

 14And David saith unto Gad, `I have great distress, let us fall, I pray thee, into the hand of Jehovah, for many [are] His mercies, and into the hand of man let me not fall.'

It seems too that based on these verses: God's wrath is NOT like man's wrath. God's "wrath" is merciful, whereas mankind's appears to be generally only cruel in nature.

Maybe the two verses shouldn't be connected. But hey, why not?

I think these two verses should definetly be connected. After God's judgements on Israel mercy always followed. In fact, God would always tell them that mercy would follow after his harsh judgements through the prophets. It's carnal thinking that gets in the way. That is why man's wrath is confused with God's love. That is why ET' ers think it is just to torment people forever. They fail to realize sin as sin, whether it be murder in the first degree or a little white lie you told someone you thought was harmless. It's all on the same scale. You fell short, period.
Falling into the hands of God can and is harsh yet at the same time comforting, and if we don't fall into the hands of God, how else do we learn that it is by GRACE that we are saved?

Blessings

Brandon

Awesome words, Brandon! Thanks for your input! 

[Beloved Servant]

When you think about it, where else is there to go but:

                                                                 IN THE HANDS OF GOD
                                                  www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQje_gJ0ko

[gregoryfl]

Just got another usage of the same thing having 2 results for my article! thanks guys :)

Ron

[willieH]

willieH: Hi Tim! -- 

We are EVER in the HAND of the POTTER ["the Living GOD"]... and indeed it is a fearful and wonderful thing to be IN those capable and PEFECT and MERCIFUL HANDS... both in the LEFT (in suffering), ...then completed in the RIGHT (Joy and perfection)...

Jer 18:4 -- and the VESSEL that HE MADE of CLAY, was MARRED ...IN THE HAND of the POTTER, so He MADE it AGAIN ...ANOTHER VESSEL, as seemed GOOD to the POTTER to make it.



...willieH 

[Cardinal]

  Amen, Willie and all........Blessings....

[WhiteWings]

I wonder why the verse states "living"...
Is that some sort of hint. Like God of the living? Instead of a living God.
There is no need to fear a dead god. So mentioning this a living God is kinda useless.


^KJVHebrews 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Fearful thing is one Greek word. The meaning of that word isn't very positive at first sight. But looking a bit closer there are some sparks of light.

Meaning:  1) inspiring fear, terrible, formidable 2) affected with fear, timid

[peacemaker]

Are we to have one foot in the grave, while the other is on a banana peel?
Thus, Inspiring fear? Or is it an exciting apprehension full of awe and reverence?

"It is joyous and grave at the same time for the timid."

peacemaker