Abstract

In his message, Shawn McCraney discusses the concept of the Proving Ground, highlighting how Adam and Eve’s choices in the garden relate to humanity’s current state. He explains that through Jesus, everyone has been reconciled to God, and individuals will enter different areas of the Heavenly realm based on their actions in the Proving Ground. McCraney emphasizes the importance of choices in this life and suggests that God will reward each person accordingly.

Long Description

In this transcript of Shawn McCraney’s message, he discusses the concept of the Proving Ground, drawing parallels between Adam and Eve’s experience in the garden and the current state of humanity. He begins by stating that life itself is a Proving Ground, where individuals have the opportunity to choose between following God’s will or their own desires.

McCraney emphasizes that Jesus Christ came to address the consequences of Adam and Eve’s actions and spiritually reconciled every human being to God. He highlights that God is not angry with anyone because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid for all sins. Thus, the entire world, from one extreme to another, has been reconciled to God.

Using a whiteboard illustration, McCraney depicts the Earth as the Proving Ground, symbolized by a flat record. He explains that everyone has been given the freedom to choose how to live their lives. They can either live in a barbarous manner, harming and taking advantage of others, or choose to diligently seek and follow God’s will.

McCraney introduces the concept of the Heavenly realm, depicted as a separate area above the Proving Ground. Due to Christ’s reconciling work, everyone now enters the Heavenly realm. He suggests that within this realm, there are different areas based on individuals’ choices and actions in the Proving Ground. He mentions that God no longer punishes people, and hell and Satan are done away with. Each person becomes responsible for their own acts.

Using dots to represent individuals, McCraney provides examples of different scenarios. Those who lived for God and died are represented as entering the kingdom, referred to as the New Jerusalem. Others who believed in God but didn’t align their lives with His will may end up in areas just outside the kingdom. Meanwhile, individuals who were deeply evil and rejected God’s principles might be placed in a far-off Heavenly realm, still separate from God’s dwelling place.

McCraney acknowledges that the specifics of these realms are not entirely clear. He mentions the possibility of progress, darkness, and purgatory-like experiences for individuals in the distant Heavenly realm, but ultimately acknowledges that it’s conjecture.

He concludes by emphasizing that this life is indeed a Proving Ground and that God, through Jesus, has reconciled the world to Himself. According to Revelation and John’s description, everyone will enter a Heavenly realm. Some will be inside the kingdom, while others will be outside. McCraney asserts that God is good, emphasizes forgiveness and patience, and suggests that everyone will be rewarded based on their actions in this life.

In summary, Shawn McCraney discusses the Proving Ground concept, explaining the reconciliatory work of Jesus Christ and its impact on humanity. He presents the Earth as a Proving Ground where individuals can choose to follow God’s will or their own desires. He introduces the Heavenly realm and suggests that individuals’ choices and actions in the Proving Ground determine their placement within the Heavenly realm, with some being closer to God’s dwelling place and others in distant realms.