These days I’m finding it difficult to wait for what He wants me to do.
“Waiting for the Lord” is so difficult, and it also can make one rather agonized if one alows it to be viewed in a “I don’t have it” way versus…uhhh…whatever other wy there is…
I’m still trying to figure that one out. heeh.
God Bless.
God created Satan knowing that he would rebel and take many with him ?
[quote]Go-Rilla wrote:
God created Satan knowing that he would rebel and take many with him ?[/quote]
God gave “free will” to all, angels and man alike.
What are you doing with your “free will?”
[quote]ZEB wrote:
Go-Rilla wrote:
God created Satan knowing that he would rebel and take many with him ?
God gave “free will” to all, angels and man alike.
What are you doing with your “free will?”[/quote]
Good answer…standard answer.
Intentional antagonist ?
[quote]Go-Rilla wrote:
God created Satan knowing that he would rebel and take many with him ?[/quote]
Lucifer was created by God, as were all other angels (Ephesians 3:9). Lucifer was a “covering” cherub, or angel. One great angel stands on the left side of God’s throne and another on the right (Psalms 99:1). Lucifer was one of those highly exalted angel leaders. Lucifer’s beauty was flawless and breathtaking. His wisdom was perfect. His brightness was awe-inspiring. Ezekiel 28:13 seems to indicate that his throat was specially prepared to make him an outstanding musician. Some think he led the angelic choir.
Pride, jealousy, discontent, and self-exaltation arose in his life. Lucifer decided to attempt to unseat God and then demand that all worship him. It was treason of the worst kind.
Lucifer won the support of one-third of the angels (Revelation 12:3, 4) and caused an insurrection in heaven. God had no choice but to oust Lucifer and his angels. This was the greatest battle, by far, ever fought. Lucifer’s aim was to usurp God’s throne, even if it might eventually lead to murder (John 8:44). After his expulsion from heaven, Lucifer was called Satan (adversary) and devil (slanderer), and his angels were called demons.
Contrary to popular opinion, Satan’s headquarters is the earth, not hell. God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). When they sinned, they lost it to Satan (Romans 6:16), who then became ruler, or prince, of the earth (John 12:31). Satan bitterly hates humans, who were created in God’s image. He can’t touch God. So, instead, his venom is directed against people who are God’s children. He’s a hateful, vicious murderer whose aim is to destroy you and thus hurt God.
Why is worship such a big thing? Worship is the key factor in the ongoing warfare between God and Satan. People were created to be happy and fulfilled only when they worship God solely. Not even unfallen angels of heaven are to be worshiped (Revelation 22:8, 9). Satan sought worship in the beginning. Centuries later, when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, worship was still the central issue (Matthew 4:8-11). In these last days, God is calling upon all people to worship Him (Revelation 14:6,7). This so infuriates Satan that he will try to force people to worship him or else be killed (Revelation 13:15).
Everybody worships somebody or something:
power, prestige, food, pleasure, possessions, one’s own opinion, etc. God says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3. And unless we worship Him only, He counts us against Him (Matthew 12:30). This news is shocking, but true. If anything or anyone other than God receives first place in my life, I am–innocently perhaps–worshiping and supporting Satan. Does God have first place in my life, or am I unconsciously elevating Satan? It is a sobering question, isn’t it?
The Bible says Satan:
Deceives/persecutes
Revelation 12:9, 13
Quotes/misquotes Bible
Matthew 4:5, 6
Falsely accuses/murders
Revelation 12:10; John 8:44
Traps/ensnares
2 Timothy 2:26; 1 Peter 5:8
Makes war against God’s people
Revelation 12:17
Binds/prompts betrayal
Luke 13:16; John 13:2, 21
Imprisons
Revelation 2:10 Possesses/hinders
Luke 22:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Works miracles/lies
Revelation 16:13, 14; John 8:44
Appears as angel of light
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Brings disease/afflicts
Job 2:7
His demons impersonate pastors
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
Slanders
“Devil” means “slanderer”
Calls fire from heaven
Revelation 13:13
Satan’s success rate is so astoundingly high that it seems almost unbelievable. He deceived a third of the angels. In Noah’s day, all but eight people were deceived. Before Jesus comes the second time, Satan will appear as an angelic being, posing as Christ. His deceptive power will be so great that our only safety will lie in refusing to go to see him (Matthew 24:23-26). If you absolutely refuse to look and listen, Jesus will protect you from deception (John 10:29).
The devil will be cast into the lake of fire on this earth at the end of the world. The fire will devour Satan, turn him into ashes, and end his existence for eternity. This fire also will destroy all sinners. In this final showdown, not one being on God’s side will die and not one being on Satan’s side will survive.
Note: It is not possible to adequately describe the sadness and anguish the Father and Son will feel at Satan’s destruction. He was closer to them than any other being–a warm, personal friend. To destroy him and the millions who have followed him will pain the Father and the Son more than the burning will hurt anyone in the fire.
Two crucial happenings will settle the sin problem:
First, all beings in heaven and earth, including the devil and his angels, will of their own free choice kneel and publicly confess that God is truthful, fair, and righteous. No questions will remain unanswered. All sinners will openly admit that they are lost because of their determined refusal to accept God’s love and salvation. They will admit that justice demands they must die. All will confess that they deserve eternal death.
Second, sin will be purged from the universe by the total and final destruction of sin, sinners, the devil, and his angels. God is positive on this point: Sin will never again arise to mar God’s universe.
Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made the eradication of sin a certainty.
The Father loves people as much as the Son does. Jesus’ key aim in life was to demonstrate His Father’s character in His own life so people would know how loving, warm, and caring the Father really is (John 5:19).
Satan misrepresents the Father as unfeeling, aloof, exacting, stern, and unapproachable (the devil’s own traits). He even labels his own ugly, calamitous acts as “acts of God.” Jesus came to wipe this slander off His Father’s name and demonstrate that our heavenly Father loves us more than a mother loves her child (Isaiah 49:15). Jesus’ favorite theme was God’s patience, tenderness, and abundant mercy.
In order to make people supremely happy, our heavenly Father has prepared a fabulous eternal home for them. Our dreams here are no match for what He has waiting! He can hardly wait to welcome His people on the glad homecoming day just ahead. Let’s get the word out! And let’s be ready. The countdown has already begun.
Intentional ?
This was known prior to his creation
by God ?
[quote]Go-Rilla wrote:
Intentional ?
This was known prior to his creation
by God ?[/quote]
?
[quote]Go-Rilla wrote:
Intentional ?
This was known prior to his creation
by God ?[/quote]
God knew before Lucifer rebelled. If you are going to give somebody free will, you wouldn’t stop them in their tracks before they make their decision, right? So, God lets things happen, even if the situation seems bad at the time, a point is proven and things get better later.
One-Third of the Angels Joined Lucifer. Lucifer’s arguments convinced many angels, and one-third joined him. If God had destroyed Lucifer immediately, some angelic beings who did not fully understand God’s character may have begun to worship God through fear, saying, “Lucifer may have been correct. Be careful. If you differ with God, He may kill you.” So nothing would have been settled. Instead, the problem would have been heightened.
God Accepts Only Loving, Voluntary Service. The only service acceptable to God is cheerful, voluntary service prompted by love. Obedience for any other reason is unacceptable.
God Is Giving Satan Time to Demonstrate His Principles. Satan claimed he had a better plan for the government of the universe. God is giving him time to demonstrate its principles. The Lord will abolish sin only after every soul in the universe is convinced that Satan’s government is unfair, hateful, ruthless, lying, and destructive.
The Universe Is Watching This World. The Bible says, “We are made a spectacle [margin says “theatre”] unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” 1 Corinthians 4:9. The entire universe is watching as we each play a part in the controversy between Christ and Satan. As the controversy ends, every soul will fully understand the principles of both kingdoms and will have chosen to follow either Christ or Satan. Those who have chosen to ally with sin and Satan will be destroyed with him, and God’s people will be taken to the eternal safety of their heavenly home.
[quote]FlyingEmuOfDoom wrote:
Go-Rilla wrote:
Intentional ?
This was known prior to his creation
by God ?
God probably did know before Lucifer rebelled. If you are going to give somebody free will, you wouldn’t stop them in their tracks before they make their decision, right? So, God lets things happen, even if the situation seems bad at the time, a point is proven and things get better later.
One-Third of the Angels Joined Lucifer. Lucifer’s arguments convinced many angels, and one-third joined him. If God had destroyed Lucifer immediately, some angelic beings who did not fully understand God’s character may have begun to worship God through fear, saying, “Lucifer may have been correct. Be careful. If you differ with God, He may kill you.” So nothing would have been settled. Instead, the problem would have been heightened.
God Accepts Only Loving, Voluntary Service. The only service acceptable to God is cheerful, voluntary service prompted by love. Obedience for any other reason is unacceptable.
God Is Giving Satan Time to Demonstrate His Principles. Satan claimed he had a better plan for the government of the universe. God is giving him time to demonstrate its principles. The Lord will abolish sin only after every soul in the universe is convinced that Satan’s government is unfair, hateful, ruthless, lying, and destructive.
The Universe Is Watching This World. The Bible says, “We are made a spectacle [margin says “theatre”] unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” 1 Corinthians 4:9. The entire universe is watching as we each play a part in the controversy between Christ and Satan. As the controversy ends, every soul will fully understand the principles of both kingdoms and will have chosen to follow either Christ or Satan. Those who have chosen to ally with sin and Satan will be destroyed with him, and God’s people will be taken to the eternal safety of their heavenly home.
God “probably” knew ?
Would you not agree that God is all knowing ?
[quote]Go-Rilla wrote:
God “probably” knew ?
Would you not agree that God is all knowing ?
[/quote]
My mistake. I’m sorry, I meant to say “God knew”. It came out wrong.
[quote]FlyingEmuOfDoom wrote:
Go-Rilla wrote:
God “probably” knew ?
Would you not agree that God is all knowing ?
My mistake. I’m sorry, I meant to say “God knew”. It came out wrong.
[/quote]
No harm. No foul.
God knew indeed. And as hard as it is for us to grasp, we will not know and certainly not be able to explain, many of the details we believe to be true about God’s existence and his purpose throughout history. God is all knowing. He certainly knew and knows the outcome of his creations including Satan. God chooses how and when to reveal himself to humans and I think I understand your abundant enthusiasm in regard to your faith.
I am a born again Christian. I am saved by faith. In fact, a faith that I can’t explain to you or anyone else on a bodybuilding web site. There are simply to many questions I can’t answer, and over time I’ve discoverd that once a seed is planted we are better served by living our lives in a manner that would indicate to those around us that we intend to live by faith since we can’t live by sight.
There is a time and place for discussing our faith with those who are receptive and want to hear about it. Otherwise, I’ve found that some who may have serious questions down the road are turned off or angered by what they perceive to be our “holier than thou” attitude. I am not accusing anyone of having an attitude.
I have however, seen discussions on this site continue past the point of
absurdity on a topic that can stir up
emotions on either side of the fence among the best of friends even in a church setting.
I am new to this site and it is not my
intention to stir up anything. I am not
however, new to the Christian faith.
I’m sure we see things differently and thats o.k.
Just my opinion.
First: Pardon my ignorance with regards to the question I’m about to ask. I’ve yet to hear an actual answer on this subject, and I’m curious to hear some of your views.
I assume that many (or all?) Christians believe God to be omnibenevolent(all good), omnipotent (all powerful), and omniscient (all knowing). If my assumption is correct:
How do you explain something like Hurricane Katrina, or any other disaster similar to this?
My apologies if this has already been brought up in this thread.
[quote]magnetnerd wrote:
First: Pardon my ignorance with regards to the question I’m about to ask. I’ve yet to hear an actual answer on this subject, and I’m curious to hear some of your views.
I assume that many (or all?) Christians believe God to be omnibenevolent(all good), omnipotent (all powerful), and omniscient (all knowing). If my assumption is correct:
How do you explain something like Hurricane Katrina, or any other disaster similar to this?
My apologies if this has already been brought up in this thread.[/quote]
The Bible tells us that an increase in natural disasters is a sign that Christ’s return is very close. Any person can see that there has been a dramatic and obvious increase in natural disasters in the last 100 years. Hurricane Katrina, I believe as well as many others do, is a sign of Christ’s soon return.
[quote]FlyingEmuOfDoom wrote:
The Bible tells us that an increase in natural disasters is a sign that Christ’s return is very close. Any person can see that there has been a dramatic and obvious increase in natural disasters in the last 100 years. Hurricane Katrina, I believe as well as many others do, is a sign of Christ’s soon return.
[/quote]
I’m thinking you failed to make the connection that I have.
1.Hurricanes kill people. This is bad.
2.God knew about the hurricanes.
3.God did not stop the hurricanes.
If these are all true, then God cannot be an omnibenevolent, omniscient, and omnipotent god. Correct?
[quote]magnetnerd wrote:
FlyingEmuOfDoom wrote:
The Bible tells us that an increase in natural disasters is a sign that Christ’s return is very close. Any person can see that there has been a dramatic and obvious increase in natural disasters in the last 100 years. Hurricane Katrina, I believe as well as many others do, is a sign of Christ’s soon return.
I’m thinking you failed to make the connection that I have.
1.Hurricanes kill people. This is bad.
2.God knew about the hurricanes.
3.God did not stop the hurricanes.
If these are all true, then God cannot be an omnibenevolent, omniscient, and omnipotent god. Correct?[/quote]
God is good. The trouble is that humans stuffed things up by sinning. If you read the account of “The Fall” in Genesis, after Adam and Eve sinned a whole lot of things changed e.g. the ground was cursed to make farming difficult, women would have pain in childbirth etc. Basically this in when things such as disease and natural disasters would have entered the world.
Romans 8 talks about “creation groaning as if in childbirth” until the return of Christ, which is a way of saying that things are not right in the world, there are disasters and disease and suffering, and these won’t stop until Christ returns to create a new heaven and earth.
In summary, it’s our fault bad stuff happens, not God’s.
[quote]bg100 wrote:
God is good. The trouble is that humans stuffed things up by sinning. If you read the account of “The Fall” in Genesis, after Adam and Eve sinned a whole lot of things changed e.g. the ground was cursed to make farming difficult, women would have pain in childbirth etc. Basically this in when things such as disease and natural disasters would have entered the world.
Romans 8 talks about “creation groaning as if in childbirth” until the return of Christ, which is a way of saying that things are not right in the world, there are disasters and disease and suffering, and these won’t stop until Christ returns to create a new heaven and earth.
In summary, it’s our fault bad stuff happens, not God’s.[/quote]
You’re effectively helping to prove my point here. If God is omniscient and omnibenevolent, then why did he knowingly give us the power to make bad choices? It is conceivable that God is omniscient and omnibenevolent, but then He cannot too be omnipotent.
In summary, if it’s our fault, then why hasn’t this omnipotent god done anything about it, if he’s also omniscient and omnibenevolent?
This isn’t a shot at either of you who have replied, but I hope that someone can answer my question straight-up.
[quote]magnetnerd wrote:
You’re effectively helping to prove my point here. If God is omniscient and omnibenevolent, then why did he knowingly give us the power to make bad choices? It is conceivable that God is omniscient and omnibenevolent, but then He cannot too be omnipotent.
In summary, if it’s our fault, then why hasn’t this omnipotent god done anything about it, if he’s also omniscient and omnibenevolent?
This isn’t a shot at either of you who have replied, but I hope that someone can answer my question straight-up.[/quote]
Please read all the posts that I wrote in this thread.
[quote]magnetnerd wrote:
bg100 wrote:
God is good. The trouble is that humans stuffed things up by sinning. If you read the account of “The Fall” in Genesis, after Adam and Eve sinned a whole lot of things changed e.g. the ground was cursed to make farming difficult, women would have pain in childbirth etc. Basically this in when things such as disease and natural disasters would have entered the world.
Romans 8 talks about “creation groaning as if in childbirth” until the return of Christ, which is a way of saying that things are not right in the world, there are disasters and disease and suffering, and these won’t stop until Christ returns to create a new heaven and earth.
In summary, it’s our fault bad stuff happens, not God’s.
You’re effectively helping to prove my point here. If God is omniscient and omnibenevolent, then why did he knowingly give us the power to make bad choices? It is conceivable that God is omniscient and omnibenevolent, but then He cannot too be omnipotent.
In summary, if it’s our fault, then why hasn’t this omnipotent god done anything about it, if he’s also omniscient and omnibenevolent?
This isn’t a shot at either of you who have replied, but I hope that someone can answer my question straight-up.[/quote]
Well, the straight-up answer is that he has done something about it, and that “something” is the sending of Christ into the world to die on the cross and take the punishment for all the stuff-ups (read “sins”) that mankind has made against God.
Instead of making us mindless robots who automatically follow what he says, God gave us free will to follow him OR reject him. We chose to reject him, now Christ has given us the opportunity to follow him and get back into a right relationship, the way things used to be before sin.
The whole bible actually tells the story of what God has done, is doing, will do about fixing the problem of man’s sin. It’s all there in black and white!!
[quote]bg100 wrote:
Well, the straight-up answer is that he has done something about it, and that “something” is the sending of Christ into the world to die on the cross and take the punishment for all the stuff-ups (read “sins”) that mankind has made against God.
Instead of making us mindless robots who automatically follow what he says, God gave us free will to follow him OR reject him. We chose to reject him, now Christ has given us the opportunity to follow him and get back into a right relationship, the way things used to be before sin.
The whole bible actually tells the story of what God has done, is doing, will do about fixing the problem of man’s sin. It’s all there in black and white!![/quote]
Very well said! Great post man!
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!!
I just felt like writing that, guys!