Re: Stories like this

\"God does not wish any to perish. It\'s a loving gesture to allow us to learn in this manner because the alternative is to let Jonah continue to die in his sins.\"


I do not think this view can be supported by other scripture. We are to use scripture to interpret scripture.

Using the passage you quoted from 2 peter:39 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

So I have a question has God done anything to harden people or has God hated someone. If so then he does wish that any should perish. Notice also he says any........ any who..........maybe any of his elect......... Lets look to scripture

Romans 9: 9 For this is what the promise said: About this time next year I will return and Sarah shall have a son. 10 And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,



Notice the next verse



11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God\'s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call—


They did nothing good or bad. God just wanted it that way

12 she was told, The older will serve the younger.

Notice in the next verse God hated esau

13 As it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.

This word in the greek is Miseo

3404 miseo mis-eh\'-o from a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute)

So God detested Esau....but I thought he wished any to perish...... read on



14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God\'s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.


So God does what he wants and purposely hardens people just so his power can be made known. lets read some more from this chapter

19 You will say to me then, Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will? 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, Why have you made me like this?


Notice this next area Paul outlines the kinds of vessels God creates


21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,



What?!?!?! did that passage just say God makes vessels of wrath? And that he created them only to prepare them for destruction? But I thought he wished that any should perish?

Why did he do this......Read on



23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—

Did he say prepared BEFOREHAND.....Hmmmmmmmmm


24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?






If we use scripture to interpret scripture then it is easy to see that he wishes for any of the people he prepared beforehand to perish.

Predestination is clearly in the bible. We my not like it, It may be hard to fathom but it is there.


Here are a few more passages


Thessalonians 2:13: God chose you from the BEGINNING unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.


Romans 11:7: The election obtained it, and the rest were hardened.


Thessalonians 5:9: For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peter 1:1: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect.

Notice he was an apostle to all or any but to the elect


Thessalonians 5:9: For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 18:48: And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.


The only people that wee saved were those who were ordained to eternal life

John 17:9: I (Jesus) pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine.

John 6:37: All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me.

John 6:65: No man can come unto me. except it be given unto him of the Father.


Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Ephesians 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,




John 13:18: I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen.

John 15:16: Ye did not choose me, but I chose you.