The Sealing of God's People - Part 2 (Ezekiel 9)

The “Fuller” Seal in God’s Sabbath

            It is clear from Biblical Studies, and from the Spirit of Prophecy (SOP), that the “Seal of God” spoken of in endtime prophecy (Rev 7:3; 9:4; 14:1; cf. 22:4) involves the observation of the 7th Day Sabbath, and thus the law of God. This is in direct opposition to the Mark of the Beast (cf. e.g., Rev 13:16; 14:9; 20:4) which acknowledges a spurious Sabbath, namely Sunday sacredness and effective “lawlessness.” (See also this blog post for more.) However, as it has been seen from a careful study of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, the proper observation of the Biblical Sabbath indeed involves much more than just observing the correct day, in the proper way, but should also lead its observers to do significant works of benevolence towards those in need in the world. (Cf. here). Therefore, if, as it was seen in this post, the events in Ezek 8 which lead up to this prophetic sealing in Ezek 9 speaks of a Remnant People who are seeking to do God’s work through an abominable mixing in of worldly practices, which have all been shown to focus on an adherence to an unbiblical providing/economic system, reflected today in the economic system of Capitalism, then does a Sealing of God’s people in the end time also really depend upon whether or not works of benevolence are done towards those in the world today who are in need?

            The short answer here is a resounding: Yes! as seen in the following supporting Biblical statements.

           

End Time Practical Benevolence

            The message of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46 is absolutely unequivocal. Several foundational points are enlightening to note on this passage. First of all, in regards to the imagery used in this passage, in the Temple Ministry of Israel, a Burnt Offering, including the Paschal offering, could be of either an unblemished male sheep or goat. Exod 12:5 (cf. Lev 1:10; 22:19). [What is usually translated as "lamb" (e.g., Exod 12:3-4) should instead be translated generally as a "flock-animal" as it could be either a sheep or a goat.] This resemblance between these two groups that Jesus is going to divide echoes the imagery used in Matt 13:24-30, 36-43 when speaking of the wheat and the "darnel" (a weed resembling wheat, a.k.a. “tares” (cf. 2SM 127)). This emphatically shows that even if both of these “flock-animal” were passable as offerings, in the final reckoning, another criteria would determine their ultimate acceptance. (Based on the apparent knowing use of Christ of these sacrificial elements here, the fact that sheep and goats were equally acceptable as a sin offering in the OT, may have been to reflect the fact that God wanted to show that a sacrifice for sin was to be available/accessible for “the whole world” (John 3:16); for both the “good” and the bad; the righteous and the unrighteous, the repentant obedient ones and the rebellious. Interestingly enough it is solely the male goat that is involved in the “final” expiation and “banishing” of sin during the Day of Atonement ceremonies - Lev 16:5-22.) Secondly, this group of sheep and goats cover "all of the nations." This shows that there will be only two groups in the end, namely benevolent ones and non-benevolent/selfish ones, which, thirdly, as it will be seen, includes non-Christians and Christians in either side.  So Jesus clearly states that when He will separate the sheep from the goats, His criteria will be what these people have done in regards to those in need around them. Indeed many people who may have not believed in Jesus Christ, but did do these works of Christ, will be surprised to hear that Jesus has granted them Eternal Life solely on the basis of these benevolent works that they had done (cf. DA 637, 638; Rev 7:9-17). Talk about 'judging the world according to a righteousness standard.' (Psa 9:8; Acts 17:31; Rev 19:11). [Of course having the prophesied ‘form of godliness, but denying the power thereof’ is not the alternative way to go either and to be “avoided.” (2 Tim 3:1-5; 1T 305.1; cf. John 9:41; 15:22; Heb 10:26)]. Evidently the professed members of His Church did not comport themselves in such a way that people would readily associate such good, benevolent works with the default work of Christianity, and thus seek to themselves join this religion which so clearly embodies this dear cause of theirs. Indeed, to the contrary, the relatively, most closely, Christlike remnant of Biblical Christianity today, namely Protestant Christianity, almost unanimously espouses Capitalism. However this spurious system is, in spirit and letter, in direct opposition to the Message and Ministry of Christ and the Bible, and is directly responsible for all of the existing socio-economic woes in the world today. Many preventable and resolvable issues in the world today are not resolved, solely so that Capitalism, embodied in those who are wealthy through it, can continue unabated in its, and their, selfish, greedy and indifferent ways. 

            So if as Christ states in His straightforward Prophetic Statement of Matt 25:31-46, that the final judgement will focus on whether these works of benevolence have been done, but the SDA Church holds a strict eschatological view that the final decisions will only focus on those who accept or reject the Seventh day Sabbath, then the SDA Church would be in clear contradiction to Christ's view here. However it is Jesus who will surely hold the correct view here. This would then mean that the SDA Church would have been completely in the wrong on such a strict eschatological view. Would God have thus allowed His Remnant Church to hold such a contradicting view? 

            Like usual God’s ways are far above our ways (Isa 55:9) and it is only someone who wants to remain in darkness here who will obstinately and vehemently argue that the end time mission of the Church is not to primarily do benevolent works but instead solely preach the Three Angels’ Messages (Rev 14:6-12). When it is seen that the observance of the Biblical Sabbath does also wholly include doing works of benevolence in behalf of the needy, as Jesus did and taught in His Ministry, then there indeed really is only perfect complimentary harmony here between these two eschatological views. It is in the light of this that the statement of Ellen White is best understood when she says that: 

           

“The decisions of the last day turn upon our practical benevolence. Christ acknowledges every act of beneficence as done to Himself.” TM 399 (1896).

            Indeed as Ellen White states in her comments on the passage on the Sheep and the Goats, God’s Remnant Church has been granted the capabilities to do this far-reaching work of selfless benevolence (DA 640, 641). This is the intended, “fuller” meaning of True Sabbath observance (cf. EW 33), and thus the fulfilment of the intention of God’s Law of Love (Matt 22:35-40)

“Love is expressed in obedience, and perfect love casteth out all fear. Those who love God, have the seal of God in their foreheads, and work the works of God.” (SD 51, LDE 221).

Practical Benevolence and God’s Law (=6MR 396.3 & 3MR 424.4)

            While it may not be surfacedly, readily seen and understood, not doing works of Benevolence, by, in an end-time context, seeking to be instead obedient to the unBiblical dictates of Capitalism, comes to actually violate the Spirit, and thus the Letter of all of God’s Commandments as seen here:

#1 - Obeying the dictates of the ungodly system of Capitalism naturally leads to the disobedience of God and His own demands, and thus places it as a god in Yahweh’s own place (Luke 16:13)

#2 - Even if this other god is not rightly acknowledged as being false, as it is the case with Christians who espouse Capitalism, still, revering it and doing what it says, rather than what God says, amounts to textbook idolatrous worship. (See explanation on 1 Kgs 18:21 here). ‘Says the angel: "Think ye God will place His seal where there is an idol? No, no."’ (16 MR 34 [#1190]; 3T 524.1). 

#3 - Claiming to be followers of Christ but doing works that are not Christlike, such as letting people in need suffer and die, is thus really not reflecting Christ’s character, and therefore amounts to the taking of God’s name in vain. (cf. Rev 7:3; 14:1; 22:4 where the “Father’s name on the “forehead” of the Sealed Ones equals having God’s character in their “mind”. (cf. Jer 3:3)). Indeed such unChristlike acts by professed Christians greatly shames the name and character of God throughout the world. As the SOP says:

“The standard of the golden rule is the true standard of Christianity; anything short of it is a deception. A religion that leads men to place a low estimate upon human beings, whom Christ has esteemed of such value as to give Himself for them; a religion that would lead us to be careless of human needs, sufferings, or rights, is a spurious religion. In slighting the claims of the poor, the suffering, and the sinful, we are proving ourselves traitors to Christ. It is because men take upon themselves the name of Christ, while in life they deny His character, that Christianity has so little power in the world. The name of the Lord is blasphemed because of these things. MB 136, 137 (cf. Acts 4:32-35; COL 62-69; CS 19.1-5; 7BC 968.13-970.11ff).

#4 - Not caring for the needy violates God’s intended meaning and purpose of His Sabbath (Isa 58; Welfare Ministry, 23-62ff)
            It is most interesting to note that in God’s reprimanding the fasting that was apparently popularly done in Isa 58:4-5, it manifestly had started out as something spontaneous by the people and also commendable, and evidently it was the fasting on the Sabbath Day itself that was the most commendable, while the other fasting instances were more self-centered, contentious and wrongly motivated. However God did not at all require fasting on the Sabbath day. And as documentedly related here (full book) by Samuele Bacchiocchi, by the first centuries A.D., the Jewish people were categorically against fasting on the weekly Sabbath, so it was something “special” for those Jews in Isaiah’s day to do so. However God greatly objected to the way in which it all had become perverted from its initial good/commendable intentions and in Isa 58:6-7 He literally “scrapped” that whole human-‘chosen’ idea/practice of fasting on the Sabbath, which, while perverted, they still thought was “acceptable” to God, by pointing out what “self-denial” He actually found most commendable and required for His Sabbath. 
            Most surprisingly, early Christians, (as reported by Aristides of Athens in ca. 125 A.D. in a ‘Defense of Christianity’ of his to the Roman Emperor Hadrian), evidently still under the “inspiration” of the Apostolic Church in Acts 2:42-45; 4:32-35; 2 Cor 8:7-15, made the most Godly application of God’s expressed desire/will of Isa 58:6-7 by ‘customarily (some say ‘as a law’) practising’ the following:

“And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food.”

         [From in here -Section XV (Syriac Text); cf. a ‘looser’ translation in here.]

            Now this pragmatic approach is most astutely the “Fast” that God approved of!! 

Indeed, as stated in the Sabbath Commandment in Exod 20:8-11 & Deut 5:12-15, God intended to provided rest to everyone who needed/desired it (cf. Lev 25:35ff), and that rightly came to include those who had been striving all week long for the very basics of life. That is why this principle of ‘providing temporal, sustenance rest for the needy’ is incorporated in His Sabbatical Laws (e.g., Exod 23:10-12; Lev 25:1-22); also spiritual rest in Annual Sabbaths (Feasts); and the ultimate rest in the Millennium (cf. EW 286.1).

#5 - Honouring our parents also involves, by extension, honouring our “spiritual fathers” as seen in the heart of the Elijah Message. Here, this would involve honouring the purpose of SDA pioneers for establishing the various Church Ministries and Institutions which was done in order to seek to truly fulfill the works of Christ, and not to become the neutral, self-centered and self-serving, ‘fruitless fig trees with beautiful leaves’ that most of them have become today. (DA 580-588). Indeed there was a day when the name “Missionary” was by default included in the naming of Adventist Institutions of Higher Education, but that has been completely replaced as the explicit/dedicated foundational purpose and focus of these institution has shifted. Tellingly enough, as time has advanced, the global need for beneficent missionaries itself has actually not diminished, but instead has now come to require even more, variously specialized, professional and competent skilled workers; a need that such advanced SDA Institutions could easily meet!

#6 - In today’s, even individualistic and unjust society, if someone could tangibly have done something that would have prevented the death, or saved the life, of another, but instead chooses to neglect to do so, they can, and often are, criminally charged with Manslaughter, or even 2^nd Degree Murder. This is an even more sure issue in the Heavenly Courts. Today the Church can, if it really wanted to, through a selfless and united/cooperative effort, readily do much more significant things in regards to coming to the aid of people who are dying from quite preventable causes, but because the leadership and members are so worldly minded, and preoccupied with being faithful to Capitalism, bowing reverentially at its altar, it also ascribes to a false-lamenting, but actually indifferent “live and let die” philosophy. In God’s eyes, through this neglect, the Church is guilty of murder and are thus also in open violation of this commandment. (cf. Matt 25:41-46; Pro 24:11-12, DA 641; James 4:17).

#7 - Prophetically speaking, for a woman (a church) to be in a relationship with another man while technically being married to Jesus Christ is seen as Spiritual Adultery (cf. here on Rev 17, 18). The unfaithful ways of the Remnant Church today in being in an illicit relationship with Capitalism has also made it just as guilty of violating this commandment as any other Christian Church which it has condemned to be unfaithful for adhering to unbiblical teachings and ways.

#8 - Capitalism, by fundamentally needing to ‘exact more than is needed’, and that in a sanctioned, defaulty unregulated, arbitrary, even whimsical way, is really an institutionalized and systematic form of theft. (cf. Psa 15:1, 5)[1]. In the end everyone must either come to similarly participate in this theft lest they lose money, or opt to become broke in this system. In a system that is only concerned with making money, then such greed and selfishness is indeed needed to be encouraged. However if the economic focus is not to accumulate wealth, and indifferently consume resources, but to preserve and equitably share resources in order to meet the needs of all, as the Bible teaches, then such ungodly tenets would not be an issue.  As it is said in the SOP:

“buying and selling city lots [i.e., stocks], selling the lots at figures far above their real value, is another species of robbery. It is not lawful business. It may meet the world’s standard, but it cannot meet the standard of an impartial God. These are Satan’s traps, laid to catch souls. Our safeguard in all business transactions is the love and fear of God.” (15 MR 67 (#1150)).

            And Satan indeed is the ‘“Chief Thief” who murderously (John 8:44) wants to rob people of both their lives, and also, contra his derived Spirit and System of Capitalism, readily achievable by all: an abundant life, for/by all. (John 10:10)

#9 - Claiming to represent Christ, and being His witness, while knowingly doing things that are in complete contradiction to His will and ways, is, and can only be, a “bearing of false witness to Jesus Christ.” Such lying, false witnesses will definitely not be the people who Jesus will have represent Him in the end (Rev 14:3-5).

            Also, in Capitalism, there is an inherent necessity to lie when it comes to claim what the price of something it. It really is neither what it costs but what one ‘whimsically and subjectively wants it to be.’ Tellingly enough, when truth/reality confronts this mindless practice, as it inevitably, eventually does, this results in all of those experienced Economic Crashes, Crises, Recessions, and even Depressions as people are then forced to live according to the, albeit relative, realistic/truthful reality as to what those various assets, goods and services were/are really worth, which it then is seen was/is not too far from their actual costs, as seen in the ongoing housing market collapse.

#10 - Capitalism can only work if “covetousness,” i.e., wanting more than one really needs, is the most controlling of reasonings and impulses.[2] Case in point, whenever a Capitalistic economy experiences a downturn, the first and most prominent thing that is said and done to “revive” it is to encourage people to go out and shop, even if solely just for the sake of consuming something. In doing so, much of what is purchase, consumed and/or replaced, are things that are really not a necessity. Such wasteful spending rarely, if ever, focuses on meeting the needs of those who are in need. Ellen White also pitted covetousness as a direct enemy of benevolence as she says when commenting on the worthy example of the Apostolic Church in implementing a Biblical Economy, which established a “System of Benevolence” (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35) that ‘the controlling interest of the Apostolic Church to seek to accomplish the mission entrusted to them by Christ led them to have, and engage in, this spirit of sharing’ and that “covetousness had no place in their lives.” AA 70, 71 (cf. Heb 13:5, 1 Tim 3:3; 15 MR 67-70 [#1150]). It is further said that it is precisely the cherished, opposing attitude of covetousness that led to the sin and death of, notably, Achan (PP 496-498) and Ananias and Sapphira. (AA 72 - See also Eph 5:5 (cf. PP 439) where covetousness = idolatry). In fact, EGW saw this sin of covetousness as a special snare by Satan for SDA’s and dedicated an entire chapter to its discussion in EW 266-269 = 9T 126.1-2. (Cf. this post).

            And as brought out in a 09-22-2011 Faith Camp Asia (Sabah) sermon by Jonathan Wood which expounds on the Luke 16:1-13 & the related EW 266-269 warning: ‘covetousness, (which leads to thievery), also can be God-ward; i.e., wanting for our self-serving use the God-given blessings and resources which were to have been used to do God’s work. [see 40:30ff (video) (audio)]. This is indeed the case in the SDA Church today where its various Institutions are used to serve patrons and/or make money but not to work towards helping those who are truly in need.

End Time Application of Apostolic Benevolence

            Ellen White also clearly states in regards to this above mentioned Apostolic example of Systematic Benevolence, which, it must be emphasized, she fully understood went way beyond tithing, that:

"The plan of Systematic Benevolence is pleasing to God. I was pointed back to the days of the apostles, and saw that God laid the plan by the descent of his Holy Spirit, and by the gift of prophecy counseled his people in regard to a system of benevolence. All were to share in this work of imparting of their carnal things to those who ministered unto them in spiritual things. They were also taught that the widows and fatherless had a claim upon their charity. Pure and undefiled religion is defined, to visit the widows and fatherless in their affliction, and to keep unspotted from the world. I saw it was not merely to sympathize with them in their affliction by comforting words, but to aid them, if needy, with their substance." (2SG 230, 231).

She pointedly adds elsewhere after quoting passages on the inspired Apostolic example in Acts 2:46-47; 4:32-35, “in those bright days when the glory of the risen Christ shone upon them”:

            Search heaven and earth, and there is no truth revealed more powerful than that which is

made manifest in works of mercy to those who need our sympathy and aid. This is the truth as it is in Jesus. When those who profess the name of Christ shall practice the principles of the golden rule, the same power will attend the gospel as in apostolic times. (MB 137.2)

            Jesus is quite clear on the “weight” that is inherent in this “Golden Rule” of His as He says that “this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt 7:12; cf. Gal 5:13-14; MB 135.3-136.1); a grand statement that He only made one other time and that was to similarly say that ‘love of God and love of man is also the fulfillment of the whole of the Law and the Prophets.’ (Matt 22:37-40).

            Therefore, from simply this brief overview on the topic of the “Sealing of God’s People and the Sabbath,” it can be seen that Benevolence has an undeniable part to play in it, if not, the most important part. It is therefore in this light that the Seal of God must be fully, and properly, understood.

            Therefore the episode of the sealing in Ezek 9, which we are told described the eschatological prophecy (TM 445, Rev 7:1-8ff), and which begins with God’s Remnant, typologically represented by the last remaining faithful tribe of Israel -Judah (cf. Ezek 8:1; Rev 7:5) and more pointedly, first with God’s leaders in Jerusalem (Ezek 9:4, 6; 11:1-13; cf. Rev 11:1, 13), is a clear warning of what is expected to take place in the Church (cf. 4T 384-387) and what will lead to “The Shaking Amongst God’s People” (cf. Rev 11:13). As it is said:

“Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads--it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved--just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come.” (4BC 1161)

            So now is the time (see Hos 10:12-15) to understand, and proclaim this “fuller” message of God’s end time Seal of Obedience. Indeed those who understand and do this ‘will not be shaken, so that what cannot be shaken will remain.’ (Psa 15:5 & Heb 12:26-27 cf. LDE 172-182).

            And so an SOP statement in 13MR 381.1-382.1 in regards to any Ten Commandment transgressors, thus comes to also automatically to SDA’s who are, as common/typical, merely concerned with observing the “Letter of the Law”, especially in regards to the “Seventh-day Sabbath”, all the while, in various ways, as detailed above, are indifferently systematically violating the Spirit of God’s Law (e.g., Isa 58), chiefly from an adherence to Capitalistic ways. In an application of what was most soundly brought forth from the Bible and SOP by David Asscherick in this 2004 GYC sermon involving passages such as Matt 22:34-40; Eph 5:29; Isa 14:12-15 vs. Phil 2:3-11; DA 21.3; Ed 190.2 7MR 232.4-233.1ff; among others; acting selfishly, i.e., ‘calculated exaltation at the expense of others’, which, along with its derived practice of covetousness, is absolutely essential to Capitalism, is actually “true Satanism” and stands directly opposed to the religion of Christ which is ‘an (almost) reckless condescension for the benefit of others’. And as the SOP states, the only way that anyone will come to understand the “evil of selfishness” and “guarding the human family against its terrible, deceptive power” is in the ‘Jesus-commissioned remedial missionary work and by establishing enterprises of benevolence.’ (7MR 233.1; cf. 2T 35.2) Capitalism on the other hand wily and spuriously teaches to ‘first help yourself and through that selfish/self-seeking endeavor you will “tricklely” come to help others, and virtually the whole world, including, as seen below in Capitalism defending comments by SDA’s, even SDA’s, has wholly bought into this lie and deception.[3] As the SOP states, this chief issue of Selfishness vs. Selflessness is what this entire GC has been pending upon (Ed 190.2), and its final conflict consummation, now pointedly involving God’s Full Sabbath, the fate of millions will be decided, even from amongst the mostly, in whole or in part, grossly deceived SDAs. (EW 266-269; cf. COL 259.1-2) And, not coincidentally, as it was most critical to Satan’s rebellion and deception in heaven (see DA 21.3), it has similarly been to claim that Capitalism is most Godly, as Protestant, including most SDAs, are religiously and vehemently doing, all resulting in the ‘great righteousness darkness’ of our present age! With the fundamental tenets of that system actually best, as it was most frankly and honestly, widely and continuedly, influentially expressed and articulated by atheistic philosophical novelist Ayn Rand (see this 1959 interview). And that furthermore is why anyone who has knowingly practiced and/or condoned this Chief of Sins of Selfishness (4T 384.3; 7MR 232.4; Ed 225.4b; SC 17.1; DA 20.2*), in any of its many actuated ways, and has thus permitted it to be seamlessly ingrained in their character, as SDA’s have/are preferentially, pervasively, systematically done/doing, will not be allowed into the Selfless Realm of Heaven (=2T 445.2; CS 22.1|RH, May 16, 1893 par. 5) as doing so will not only be rewarding this sinful character, but will also tangibly put at eternal risk the unfallen universe, just like Satan’s, seemingly to him, ‘inconsequential selfish actions’, did. (=1SM 114.2-115.2)... Now you all, (and as you say -John 9:41), surely do know!!! (John 15:22)![4]

* (See the excellent, Nature-based, corroborating presentation, entitled “Co-dependence - the unselfish planet”, by Walter Veith here|here).

Notes
[1] Cf. in this sermon on the 8th Commandment by David Asscherick [14:38-30:03ff].

[2] See the statement against the Capitalistic Spirit and its preyed upon ‘“fear” of money’ by Jonathan Henderson in his 11-19-11 sermon [mp4] “Beyond Elementary: Giving” 26:09-40:20ff ; also here. Cf. also his 10-26-13 sermon [mp4] pointedly addressing “greed”.).

            (Tellingly enough, Asscherick’s sermon statement above in Note #1 and Henderson’s statement here are quite literally the only two, at least pointed/explicit, statements against any accepted tenet of Capitalism that I have come across in listening to 1000's of SDA Sermons.* (In this excellent Bible/SOP presentation, Jay Gallimore deals more fundamentally with the ‘selfishness and competitive’ roots of this issue.) Either other SDA pastors wholly believe that that socio-economic system is Biblical and beyond any reproach and/or they, significantly enough, feel no Spiritual conviction to say anything against it. Now that’s deep/true (mindful) delusion, and/or, merely being money-whipped, and that, indeed ‘conversely (Ezek 16:30-34) harlotrously (Ezek 16:23-29)’ so!! =Rev 13:13-17)

* Relatedly see this website for “Social Justice” [versus e.g., ‘riches and wealth achievements’ =Jer 9:23-24] of the Hollywood, CA SDA Church (cf. this 03-16-2013 ‘Sabbath Economics’ sermon by (non-SDA) Ched Myers) and this article and its Alumni Lectureship presentation by Harwood Lockton, who then was the Director, International Program, ADRA Australia.

______________

            To demonstratingly highlight the tacit and/or indifferent SDA silence in regards to, (-“attacking the cancer”-wise, (and then, as above-stated, Jay Gallimore did, the pointed lifestyle causation*)), and especially, openly and explicitly denouncing Capitalism, in even, any way at all, I’ll, -actually “throwing down the gauntlet” here (=1 Kgs 18:20-22ff|Rev 11:13), be diligently conversely (as this is indeed much more succinct) keeping the short listing here of (other) SDA preachers which I have, all of this time (i.e. since at least 2001), in this ample (SDA+) sermons listening of mine, heard do this pointed decrying:

* -Which is actually completely distinct and different from the typical “coping” SDA sermon which is frankly trying to get SDA’s to just suicidally go along with the system and thus, pertinently enough, deferentially, slavishly work to: “make bricks without straws”...

{1} 10-19-2013 - Stephen Bohr here [01:31:16-01:32:13ff]: ‘= Ezekiel 16:49’ - (I’ll however Biblically self-calibrate his disclaimer that “he is not a Socialist” by succinctly saying that: ‘there is Marxist|Fascist|Stalinist/Soviet-style Socialism...and then, (as already amply referenced in this blog post), there is Biblical Socialism...)

{2} ??????

[3] In regards to the SOP statement made in PP 535.2 which some may “moronically”, surfacely understand, vs. understanding it in the full light of the Bible, which says:

“There are many who urge with great enthusiasm that all men should have an equal share in the temporal blessings of God. But this was not the purpose of the Creator. A diversity of condition is one of the means by which God designs to prove and develop character.” [See the commenting below made by John along this line.]

            What is socio-economically being advanced here in this blog (see e.g., here) and its NJK Project (see this page) is not an equal share, but rather, and as the Biblical principle is, both in foundational Law (e.g., Num 26:52-56) and in free-willed collaboration, i.e., in regards to one’s subsequently obtained increase, (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 2 Cor 8:7-15), is an equivalent sharing of the distinctly involved resources and wealth. In other words, an “equal sharing” would have everyone receive the same resources and wealth, no matter what their actual “conditions” were. This would then mean that a family with one child would have the same “commonwealth share” as a family with 5 children. So in that case, the 3-member family would non-fairly be much more well off than the 7-member family. On the other hand, under the Biblical equivalent sharing model, which thus meets the needs of all according to their actual tangible need, then no one is left in a condition of poverty. And under a rightly proportioned model, irresponsibly having as many children as possible will not actually make one wealthier as the shared resources and wealth will only be given to meet those actual needs. So you will not have a situation where e.g., the family of 7 has, e.g., more income per capita, or more home square-footage per capita, than the 3-member family.

            And under a properly implemented Biblical Equivalent Sharing model, God’s ‘design to prove and develop the character’ is indeed met as the variously “powerful” and rich will be demonstrating his Christlike character by freely sharing their resources and wealth/increase with those in need and in ‘proving and developing’ return, the one benefited from this generosity will be doing their very best to valuably contribute to this commonwealth. Indeed the generosity of the powerful and rich will afford them in time and accessibility the same opportunity for them to develop themselves (e.g., educationally) to be this valuable socio-economic contributor (not to mention, social/moral-wise, not being “contrived” to resort to a life of crime to survive and/or having sunk into a self-destructive state of depressive desperation. (Cf. PP 536.1-2 ; -See that entire Chapter in PP 530-536 entitled: “God’s Care for the Poor”).

[4] See a foundationally similar exposition to this deeper view of God’s endtime seal in this NZYC 2013 sermon by Adrian Webster.