Thursday, February 20, 2020

A Theory of Power's Use & Abuse

(From a perspective of History and Faith)

There are three manifestations of power: the first two pertain to God's way; the third, to the opposite of God's way.1
Manifest 1:
Power is exercised to help a creation (human, city, nation, organization, and so forth) actualize its fullest potential for growth, meaning, mission, and awareness2 (of things as they are, as they were, as they are to come3);
Manifest 2:
Power is exercised by Divine Justice where “one gets back what one gives”; “one reaps what one sows” (in His due time); tempered only by Mercy that is petitioned for or given by Grace;4
Manifest 3:
Power is misused or abused to oppress, manipulate, corrupt, deceive, dominate, destroy.5
The first two manifestations are motivated by Love6 and Justice;7 the third by lust, and thereafter, driven by FEAR. So what is it that Manifest #3 fears?
Thinkers
The Domination System cannot tolerate people who think for themselves. Such sovereign freedom strikes terror in the hearts of the authorities, both religious and secular, both Jewish and Christian.8

Exposure
Exposing the delusional system is the central ascetical task in our discernment of the Powers. For the Powers are never more powerful than when they can act from concealment. To drop out of sight and awareness into the general surroundings, to masquerade as the permanent furniture of the universe, to make the highly contingent structures of current oppression appear to be of divine construction-such is the genius of their deceptive art.9

[T]he Powers ... act from concealment. Their compulsive might is never more determinative than when it constrains us invisibly.10

The mighty prefer, therefore, to rule by means of invisible constraints: unseen filaments tied to the public's arms and legs, and imperceptible spiritual brain-implants causing the masses to will to be what has been made of them. The delusional system is a game being played on us by the Powers That Be.11

Ranking, domination hierarchies, and classism are all built on accumulated power provided by excess wealth. In a peasant society, those in power see to it, by taxation, expropriation, debt, and monopolistic control of prices, that the poor are never able to rise above their station. In the modern economic system, the poor are kept compliant by the promise of economic and social upward mobility, whereby individuals are able to rise above their class without subjecting to criticism a system built on class inequality. In either arrangement, brute economic control is given mythological and ideological sanction to guarantee that those who have most to lose from obedience to the ruling class become its staunchest supporters. Breaking with domination means ending the economic exploitation of the many by the few. Since the powerful are not likely to abdicate their wealth, the poor must find ways of transcending the Domination Epoch while still in it.12

Criticism
When Jesus laid out his devastating critique of wealth, and asserted that it is practically impossible for a rich person to enter the reign of God, the disciples responded, "Then who can be saved?" So deeply had they internalized the values of the Domination System, and the apostate theology that identifies wealth with blessedness, that they were incredulous that the wealthy might be excluded from the kingdom of heaven. They apparently regarded economic stratification as ordained by God.13

These are the words and deeds, not of a minor reformer, but of an egalitarian prophet [Jesus] who repudiates the very premises on which domination is based: the right of some to lord it over others by means of power, wealth, shaming, or titles.14

If we hold up [Jesus'] words and life against the backdrop of the Domination System, we can see them in a more comprehensive perspective, and appreciate why the Powers had little choice but to destroy him. Not only did he and his followers repudiate the autocratic values of power and wealth, but the institutions and systems that authorized and supported these values: the family, the Law, the sacrificial system, the Temple, kosher food regulations, the distinction between clean and unclean, patriarchy, role expectations for women and children, the class system, the use of violence, racial and ethnic divisions, the distinction between insider and outsider-indeed, every conceivable prop of domination, division, and supremacy.15

Awareness
The cross exposed as well humanity's complicity with the Powers, our willingness to trade away increments of freedom for installments of advantage.16

It’s a classic imperial story of people being used against their own interests and against their own people. Because an imperial power can never succeed in conquering a people only with its resources. It always needs internal allies. It always needs people in the conquered country that it can bribe or coerce into being what came to be known in World War II as quislings, people who would betray their own people. Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian, was the Nazi puppet ruler of Norway. We see this operating in every imperial situation. The British used Indians against Indians in maintaining control of India. The United States in Vietnam used the South Vietnamese army in trying to defeat the revolutionary movement in Vietnam.17

That which chooses the chooser determines the choice." Decisions are determined not by what would enhance the quality of human life but by what will increase competitive power . // People have thus become the slaves of their evolving systems, rather than civilized society being the servant of its members.18

We internalize the ethic of productivity, the constraints of patriarchy, the imperative of success, the drivenness of modern life, the obligations of machismo, the laws that prevent our achieving for ourselves what the powerful achieve at our expense. We become complicit. And so we leave unopposed the world that injures us, restructuring ourselves to appease the Powers we depend upon. To achieve peace with the world, we declare war upon ourselves.19

But anyone who has looked deeply within knows that not all evil has been introjected into us by the means of production or the government or patriarchy or the structures of society. Some evil would remain in our souls regardless of the social system. Otherwise, how can we account for the creation of these alienating structures in the first place? No arrangement of social cooperation, in which power controls power and anarchy is tamed, will produce human beings free from the lust for power.20

[F]irst we need to understand more fully the nature of the present scheme of things. The Powers are not that system; they are merely the individual institutions and structures deployed under the overall aegis of the Domination System. The Domination System is what obtains when an entire network of Powers becomes hell-bent on control. The Domination System is, so to speak, the system of the Powers, in a satanic parody of God, who might be called the System of the systems. The Domination System is thus equivalent to what the Bible so often means by the terms "world," "aeon," and "flesh." The Bible's insight into this system is essential if we are to oppose the Powers and the system that perpetuates them.21

Memory
Kundera says, “the struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.” ... [Y]es, those in power want us to forget because without memory we were born yesterday and thus have no way of checking up on what is told to us by the government and the corporate media. Memory— history— is a reminder of past lies, deceits, and also a reminder that seemingly powerless people can defeat those who rule them, if they persist.22

Not only does power tend to corrupt, but often it is the most ruthless and corrupt who tend to gain power.23

Losing control
The Domination System is premised on the belief that violence must be used to overcome violence.24

The Powers are so immense, the opposition so weak, that every attempt at fundamental change seems doomed to failure. The Powers are seldom content merely to win; they must win overwhelmingly, in order to demoralize opposition before it can gain momentum. Always there is the gratuitous violence, the mocking derision, the intimidating brutality of the means of execution., All of this is standard, unexceptional. Jesus died just like all the others who challenged the Powers that dominate the world.25

Just Laws / No Respecter of Persons
Law had been one of the few successful dikes against the flood of violence let loose by the rise of domination societies. By means of law, the violence of the powerful could be regulated. Excessive brutality could be checked. The rights of the less powerful could be championed, if not always enforced. To this day, major transformations in societies are marked by the passage of new laws: the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Law at its best is the way ideals become operational and institutionalized. But law-even Jewish Law (the Torah)-can be expropriated by greed and domination and become captive to violence for its enforcement.26
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1. The adversary and adversaries:
Old Testament | Isaiah 14:13–14 ~ For thou [O Lucifer] hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
New Testament | Revelation 12:79 ~ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:25 ~ And this we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son,
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:17 ~ ... an angel of God, according to that which is written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God.
New Testament | Ephesians 6:12 ~ For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The following scripture quotes are just a sampling from  many (some bold emphasis added.):
2. Actualizing:
New Testament | Acts 26:18 ~ To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
New Testament | Acts 10:38 ~ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Old Testament | Isaiah 42:7 ~ To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
New Testament | Romans 8:28 ~ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
New Testament | Romans 15:13 ~ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
New Testament | 1 Corinthians 2:9 ~ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
New Testament | Ephesians 2:4-7 ~ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
New Testament | Ephesians 3:9–10 ~ And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
New Testament | Colossians 1:16–17 ~ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
New Testament | Colossians 2:10 ~ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
New Testament | 2 Timothy 1:7 ~ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
New Testament | 1 John 3:12 ~ BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 1:14 ~ Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:32–33 ~ And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish. For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 5:15 ~ Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:28–29 ~ A time to come in the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest. All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 136:3233 ~ Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear; For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly.
3. Knowledge / awareness:
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 93:24–28 ~ And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come; And whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning. The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth; And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments. He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.
4. Mercy and Grace:
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:68 ~ Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 15:79 ~ Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men— Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
New Testament | John 1:12 ~ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
New Testament | Acts 20:32 ~ I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
New Testament | Romans 3:23–24 ~ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:26 ~ For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel.
Book of Mormon | Moroni 8:22 ~ For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—
New Testament | Ephesians 2:48 ~ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
New Testament | Hebrews 4:16 ~ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
5. Misuse of Power:
Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:3–6 ~ Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice. And now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which I, the Lord God, had made. And Satan put it into the heart of the serpent, (for he had drawn away many after him,) and he sought also to beguile Eve, for he knew not the mind of God, wherefore he sought to destroy the world.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 10:27 ~ And thus [Satan] goeth up and down, to and fro in the earth, seeking to destroy the souls of men.
6. Love:
New Testament | John 3:16–17 ~ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
New Testament | Romans 8:35–39 ~ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
New Testament | 1 John 3:12 ~ BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 15:8–9 ~ And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men— Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
Book of Mormon | Alma 24:14 ~ And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations.
7. Justice: (When there is no appeal to the Atonement, to Mercy and Grace, Justice must, by its very nature, render Judgment and consequence in “mirror” of the offense. Many in the  spiritual and new age world today are denying the principle of Justice, but God's Word disagrees. Granted one needs to believe it is God's Word to take Justice seriously but what other or better word can we look to?)
Book of Mormon | Alma 41:3–15 ~
   3 And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.
   4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other—
   5 The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh.
   6 And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness.
   7 These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.
   8 Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.
   9 And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense against your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin.
   10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
   11 And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.
   12 And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?
   13 O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful.
   14 Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again.
   15 For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.
● (See a further extensive discourse on the necessity of Justice at Book of Mormon | Alma 42.)
Old Testament | 2 Chronicles 6:23 ~ Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
Old Testament | Psalms 7:16 ~ His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
Old Testament | Psalms 62:11–12 ~ God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
Old Testament | Psalms 89:14 ~ Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Old Testament | Proverbs 11:31 ~ Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Old Testament | Isaiah 3:10–11~ Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
Old Testament | Isaiah 59:18 ~ According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
Old Testament | Isaiah 65:7 ~Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, ... will I measure their former work into their bosom.
Old Testament | Jeremiah 25:14 ~ ... I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands.
Old Testament | Jeremiah 30:16 ~ Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
Old Testament | Jeremiah 32:19 ~ Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
Old Testament | Jeremiah 51:6 ~ Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
Old Testament | Jeremiah 51:56 ~ Because the spoiler is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the LORD God of recompences shall surely requite.
Old Testament | Ezekiel 7:34 ~ Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations. And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
JST: New Testament Matthew 7:23 ~ Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgment. For with what judgment ye shall judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
New Testament | Matthew 26:52 ~ Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
New Testament | Mark 8:38 ~ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
New Testament | Luke 6:38 ~ Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
New Testament | Romans 2:6 ~ Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
New Testament | Galatians 6:78 ~ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
New Testament | Colossians 3:25 ~ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
New Testament | 2 Thessalonians 1:6 ~ Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
New Testament | Hebrews 2:2 ~ For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
New Testament | Hebrews 10:30 ~ For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.
New Testament | James 2:13 ~ For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
New Testament | Revelation 2:23 ~ ... I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 7:30–31 ~ And again, he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind; and the effect thereof is poison. And again he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction.
Book of Mormon | Mormon 8:19 ~ For behold, the same that judgeth rashly shall be judged rashly again; for according to his works shall his wages be; therefore, he that smiteth shall be smitten again, of the Lord.
Book of Mormon | Alma 42:2728 ~ ... whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds. If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented in his days, behold, evil shall be done unto him, according to the restoration of God.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 1:10 ~ Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 19:13 ~ I AM Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world. I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me—having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself— Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:13 ~ Also because their hearts are corrupted, and the things which they are willing to bring upon others, and love to have others suffer, may come upon themselves to the very uttermost;
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 127:3 ~ Let all the saints rejoice, therefore, and be exceedingly glad; for Israel's God is their God, and he will mete out a just recompense of reward upon the heads of all their oppressors.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:1314 ~ And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God. For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.
● The "wrath" or judgment of God is precisely God's "giving us up" to the consequences of our own violence (Rom. 1:18-32; Acts 7:42). Walter Wink. Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination (Kindle Location 2245). Kindle Edition.
8. Walter Wink. Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination (Kindle Locations 1808-1810). Kindle Edition.
9. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1308-1310). Kindle Edition.
10. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1584-1585). Kindle Edition.
11. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1312-1314). Kindle Edition.
12. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1646-1652). Kindle Edition.
13. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1302-1305). Kindle Edition.
14. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1620-1621). Kindle Edition.
15. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1592-1596). Kindle Edition.
16. Ibid., (Kindle Location 2057). Kindle Edition.
17. Zinn, Howard. Original Zinn (pp. 110-111). HarperCollins e-books. Kindle Edition.
18.Walter Wink. Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination (Kindle Locations 647-648). Kindle Edition.
19. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 653-656). Kindle Edition.
20. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1135-1138). Kindle Edition.
21. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 747-751). Kindle Edition.
22. Zinn, Howard. Original Zinn (p. 112). HarperCollins e-books. Kindle Edition.
23. Walter Wink. Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination (Kindle Location 644). Kindle Edition.
24. Ibid., (Kindle Location 2221). Kindle Edition.
25. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 2030-2033). Kindle Edition.
26. Ibid., (Kindle Locations 1773-1777). Kindle Edition.

 
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