Does God forgive? Does he punish?

Why not let the Bible answer.

"Jehovah* is not slow concerning his promise,+ as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

It is not the desire of God for any to be destroyed. But what about those who by their life course choose a life completely opposed to being a person who can love people? See John 13:35

"4 My eye will not feel sorry for you; nor will I feel compassion,+ for I will bring upon you the results of your own ways, and you will suffer the consequences of your detestable deeds.+ And you will have to know that I am Jehovah." (Ezekiel 7:4)

What does the Son of God say about those who refuse to follow the direction of his God and Father? Read for yourself his words at Mathew 7:21-23.

Many love to refer to John 3:16 and say all they have to do is believe and they will be saved. Then they say you cannot be unsaved. They fail to read John 3:36.

"The one who exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life;+ the one who disobeys the Son will not see life,+ but the wrath of God remains upon him." (John 3:36)

Bottom Line

Every man MUST choose. The way of God leads to life. Any other way ends in destruction. See Mathew 7:13, 14 .

He forgives as long as we are truly repentant. If we "turn around" from our former life style that conflicts with God, we can be considered acceptable though we are all born in sin.

We do have need of endurance, so the concept of "once saved-always saved" is not biblical.

As far as punishment, it is not one of "burning hell", however, Jehovah is a God of Justice, so in the end those evil ones will not be able to live in Paradise. (Note the conversation between Jesus and the evil doer that was being punished to death on the stake at the same time as Christ)

It does make sense to make sure of your religion. Making sure that it harmonizes with scripture is vital.

You can access the bible and fantastic articles, videos, etc. @ www.jw.org.com

1. Yes

2. Yes, but only if you do not accept His forgiveness.

Men cannot say they do not know about God. From the beginning of the world, men could see what God is like through the things He has made. This shows His power that lasts forever. It shows that He is God. (Romans 1:20)

MARANATHA! Come, Lord Jesus, COME!

Yes and no. God forgives, but he does not directly punish. He let's people punish themselves. He let's people make their own decisions as to obey or not. If they choose to disobey, God does not step in to stop them from punishing themselves.

God punishes the wicked and the proud.

Isaiah 13:11

And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

Isaiah 55:6-7:

Seek the Lord while He may be found;

Call upon Him while He is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

And let him return to the Lord,

And He will have compassion on him,

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon.

He does both, but occasionally, you'll have stupid people who will turn it into something it isn't for money or bad preachers who will. Make it a popularity contest when it should be able, forgiveness, love, truth, and justice, and not about control, power, and cheating.

Yes

Yes and yes. He will punish all the atheists -- give them the worst torture and torment - stuff you can't even conceive of. I can't wait. I will be in heaven watching as alllll the atheists are punished in the most cruel way imaginable.

Hahahaha then who will be laughing?

Yes. Yes.