What an interesting word.
WIKIPEDIA
describes vitriol as: “Sulfuric acid (alternative spelling sulphuric
acid) is a
highly corrosive strong mineral acid with the molecular formula H2SO4. It is a
pungent-ethereal, colorless to slightly yellow viscous liquid which is soluble
in water at all concentrations. Sometimes, it is dyed dark brown during
production to alert people to its hazards. The historical name of this acid is
oil of vitriol.
Sulfuric
acid is a diprotic acid and shows different properties depending upon its
concentration. Its corrosiveness on other materials, like metals, living
tissues (e.g. skin and flesh) or even stones, can be mainly ascribed to its
strong acidic nature and, if concentrated, strong dehydrating and oxidizing
property. Sulfuric acid at a high concentration can cause very serious damage
upon contact, as it not only causes chemical burns via hydrolysis, but also
secondary thermal burns via dehydration. It burns the cornea and can lead to
permanent blindness if splashed onto eyes. Accordingly, safety precautions
should be strictly observed when handling it. Moreover, it is hygroscopic,
readily absorbing water vapour from the air.
Sulfuric
acid has a wide range of applications including domestic acidic drain cleaner,
electrolyte in lead-acid batteries and various cleaning agents. It is also a
central substance in the chemical industry. Principal uses include mineral
processing, fertilizer manufacturing, oil refining, wastewater processing, and
chemical synthesis. It is widely produced with different methods, such as
contact process, wet sulfuric acid process and some other methods.”
The wiseGEEK
explains in part how the word “vitriol” is used to present an argument: ““Vitriol”
is used to characterize a caustic though often literate verbal attack or
argument posed in highly abusive terms. The word applied in this way comes from
its meaning in chemistry, where oil of vitriol refers to sulfuric acid. In its
purest form, oil of vitriol is tasteless, odorless, and found in abundance in
many geographic areas, particularly among volcanic sulfuric crystals. The
chemical industry uses vitriol in diluted form for a number of commercial
applications that include battery acid, manufacturing fertilizer, and
processing wastewater.
The
term “sulfuric acid” may have replaced “oil of vitriol” in the manufacturing
sector, but vitriol is still used as a characterization of speech. Vitriol is
intended to demean, blame and censure the subject of the attack. It can
indicate bitterness or deep-seated ill will, or a simple attempt to hurt or
deeply offend.
While
many can argue about degrees of acceptability or the difference between
passionate debate and insult, vitriol is a form of speech that crosses the line
of decency by general standards. Vitriol reviles, vilifies, insults, snipes and
assaults. It goes beyond passion to become mean-spirited, and as such reduces
the value of the argument when value is present at all.”
Venom, bile, bitterness, sarcasm,
hatred, contempt, scorn are all words that are synonymous with vitriol, and
this is the attitude often displayed when speaking of such things as God’s
saving grace, eternal security (OSAS), and even the Rapture (believe it or
not). There are a host of other subjects that seem to get people’s hackles up
also.
It is obvious to me that
there is more going on here than meets the eye. One Scripture verse in
particular comes to mind; i.e. “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.” (Ephesians 6:12)
The first two, God’s saving
grace and OSAS, are mandatory beliefs that a true Christian should have seared
on his/her heart. They are critical to salvation.
The third, the Rapture, is an
important and truthful doctrine but it is not necessary for salvation.
There is another subject that
also produces vitriol in some people, and that is the apple of God’s eye,
Israel. “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto
the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of
his eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)
Satan is in an all-out,
increasingly intensified war with God because he knows his time is quickly
running out. The stakes are high and he knows it, Satan is in full-frontal
attack concerning the Truth of God’s Word, the Bible.
God’s Saving Grace
Satan has always tried to
muddy the waters concerning God’s saving grace, and today, he seems to be
working overtime. The facts of the Gospel of salvation are very simple.
One can only be saved by
faith in Jesus Christ. It is His works that count. Ours are worthless. Apart
from the saving power of Jesus Christ, we are dead in our sins.
There is no other way to be
saved from our sins and receive eternal life but through Jesus Christ, the Son
of God.
Eternal Security (OSAS)
If we can trust God to save
us on His conditions, then why can’t we trust Him to keep us on His conditions?
We could also say, if we don’t trust God to keep us by His power, then
obviously we don’t trust Him to save us by His power.
Those who are truly saved and
are now children of God through Jesus Christ will always be kept by the power
of God. They will never be in Satan’s orphanage again because they have been
adopted by God through Jesus and are now His property.
We can no more un-save
ourselves than we can save ourselves. Salvation and eternal security all depend
on God’s power not ours, assuming we have any, and we do not.
True Christians are our
Lord’s sheep. Unfortunately, there are many goats in the pen too who may
profess Christ but do not even know Him.
The Rapture
The doctrine of the rapture
of the Church prior to the seven year Tribulation is very clear to those who
will listen. However, it is not a mandatory requirement of belief to be saved.
Many who are truly Christians do not believe in the Rapture, or they believe in
some corrupted form of it, but they are still our brothers and sisters in
Christ. What a pleasant surprise awaits them.
Israel
The fourth subject I
mentioned was Israel. To believe or not believe that Israel is still the apple
of God’s eye and very much applicable today, is also not necessary for
salvation.
It is a legitimate belief
(faith, trust) in Jesus Christ that saves our souls, nothing else.
However, Israel is very
important to God and very much loved by Him. To not recognize this is foolish,
to say the least. The remaining seven years promised Israel that we generically
call the Tribulation is all about Israel. It is about God’s judgment upon
Israel and the world in general, but on the positive side, it is about God
bringing His people Israel back to Him.
I have just hit a few high
spots in these four subjects, and as I said earlier, Satan gets upset over all
Truth that comes from the Bible.
It is no sin to disagree, but
if we are guilty of a vitriolic attitude over some subject of Bible Truth, how
can we say we represent Jesus? Venom, bile, bitterness, sarcasm, hatred,
contempt, scorn, etc. do not come from God. They come from Satan, because Satan
hates God’s Truth. If it stirs up hatred in our heart, then we are listening to
Satan and not the calling of God to repent of our sins and be saved.
Time is running out. Our Lord
is coming. Don’t allow Satan to steal your joy and place you at odds against
God.
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
