CabinetMaker said:
Not to univeralists. You will get the billion dollars no matter what according to you. According to universal salvation, nothing you do matters one way or the other. The end point of the journey is predefined and nothing you do can effect it in even the tinest way. Follow you doctrine to the end and this is what you will find.
Suffering here and now matters. Its not about the destination, its about the journey.
Accepting the gift here and now relieves suffering here and now.
You know, this brings up an interesting point, Balder might find it interesting as well.
In my experience working with people of faith, its common to hear people who need
counseling help having an attitude of "surrender to suffering" because according to their
interpretation of Scripture, suffering here and now is temporary compared to eternity.
This surrender to suffering is also considered a symptom of depression, and the ideation
that such suffering can only be mitigated in eternity can lead to self destructive ideations.
I don't think this is the way God intends that we interpret Scripture. God demands
mercy, and not sacrifice...