Hi Pilgrim... I agree with your point #1. On point #2, I pay little attention to the GOP Platform for it just seems like something to argue over and never appealed once the election is over. I understand why you compare to the Confessions of a church such as the Reformed or Lutheran. Pastors, Elders are required to accept if, correct? The Baptist Confessions were not demanded to my knowledge, but it seems individuals and churches often accept or embrace an older Baptist Confession, and many Fundamentalists take the 1833 New Hampshire Confession of Faith and rewrite the eschatology to support dispensationalism. On point #3, I referred to Bible-based libertarianism, lower case "l". What I mean by libertarian is the original freedoms we had in this country where men took individual responsibility for their choices, no government to bail them out. I had the Protestant 'work ethic' largely in mind. If you don't work, you don't eat, etc. I become quite angry to hear liberal politicians quote Matt. 25:41ff and apply it to civil government as both Obama and Kasich did. I agree fully on your point #4. I also generally agree with #5. I am more optimistic on point #6. I agree it seems like the signs of judgment are on the west, Isaiah 3. But, I do not know where this is going to fit in history. Are we going to go through another major upheaval such as before the Reformation and things improve and be even more godly in the future? I take the parable of the tiny mustard seed growing into a large tree to indicate the kingdom of God will keep growing larger and larger. I can't bring myself to believe that Satan on "the last day" will walk off with more of mankind than God Almighty will.

Spoken to Jews:
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matt 7:13-14, NRSV)

Spoken about the Gentiles:
"When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, 'Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'” (Matt 8:10-12, NRSV)

For some reason, I could not make the "Reply" work as I had in prior replies.

Ned