“Who cares about a theologically esoteric issue like this (immediate vs. delayed gratification or punishment)? It’s a real pie-in-the-sky distinction if I’ve ever heard one.”
Well, personally I only really care about this issue because some churches like to denounce people who have a certain opinion on the issue, even if they can support that opinion with Scripture.
Really, the issue itself should not have much bearing on our lives here on earth, but when churches decide to draw a “line in the sand” on this issue, THAT does have a bearing.
Once upon a time, there was this “Church” who was corrected . . . only they didn’t take corrections. Even when God sends them messengers. How does it end? Time will tell.