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NASB | Genesis 18:26 So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 18:26 So the LORD said, "If I find within the city of Sodom fifty righteous [people], then I will spare the entire place for their sake." |
Bible Question:
Scripture ... Gen 18:16-33, 19:12-15, 24-25 ... I have posed the following to several people. They respond by citing other Scripture and not responding to (refuting) what sent. So I ask you to respond to what I have written first. Then, you may cite other Scripture. Do you believe one is righteous (going to be with the Lord) or unrighteous (separated from Him forever), including babies? I believe one is righteous or unrighteous ... there is no in between (Gen 18:23-24, Mat 5:45). There are other verses that shows there are only two camps (Mat 25:31-46; Jhn 3:16-18, 36; Rom 2:6-8, 8:5-8, 13; Gal 6:18 (5:16-16); 1Jn 5:11-12). In Genesis 18:16-33, Abraham pleads for Sodom. The Lord promised not to destroy Sodom if there were ten righteous. There were only four, at the most six, who were righteous (19:12-15). God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (vv 24-25) ... I believe that there were babies and those in the womb, this because it is normal to have people of all ages ... so I think God declared them unrighteous. |
Bible Answer: Hi, Searcher56! I think part of the problem is that we want to apply our finite knowledge to God's infinite Works. The babes of Sodom and Gomorrah were not born after the death and resurrection of Christ, they were born under the economy of the Law--a distinction we must make as under the Law we would be required to offer sacrife and atonement (animals, oil, grains...) for our sins. How many children were called by the Law to make sacrificial/thanks offerings? God is concerned with our temporal existence but only to the point that it can serve us to grow spiritually: Matthew 18:8-9) Would those who died in the flesh, before Jesus' fulfillment of the prophecies be eternally condemned? What does Peter says: 1 Peter 3:18-22. Did Christ not die for those babes as well? Christ Himself attest that God has made special provisions for the children: Matthew 18:10--and no, Jesus is not just refering to the young in the faith: Matthew 19:13-14! God Bless! |