Daniel Unlocked #3

Daniel Unlocked #3. A Planet in Rebellion

The Bible’s answers to suffering is to explaining that there is a war going on and that our world is a planet in rebellion. Why?

If God is love and all powerful, why doesn’t He do something about pain, suffering and evil? Many conclude that either He can’t – therefore He is not all powerful – or He doesn’t care to – therefore He can’t be all loving. But is there another side to the story? Is there an explanation that makes sense of the suffering we see today, and that still allows God to be almighty and all loving?

Why are disasters often labelled ‘Acts of God?’ Why are we so quick to point the finger at God when the Bible reveals that there is an adversary called the devil and satan who is intent on destroying God’s creatures and God’s reputation. The word satan means ‘adversary’, and the word devil means ‘false accuser’ or ‘slanderer.’ So why didn’t God just destroy him and all evil right back when it started?

To begin answering these questions it is helpful to read what Jesus said in His parable of the weeds, (Matthew 13:24-30; 37-39). In this parable it seems that evil and good are not always easily distinguished to begin with. Only when they have ‘ripened’ is it easy to tell which is which.

So, where did the devil come from? What does the Bible say about him? In Revelation 12:7-9 the Bible reveals there was a war in heaven between God’s angels and the devil and his angels, with the devil and his angels eventually being cast out of heaven. So how did this war begin? Isaiah 14:12-14 tells us that Lucifer (another name for the devil) wanted to be worshipped like God. Although God had given him great privileges, he wasn’t satisfied, he wanted more. Ezekiel 28:12-17 reveals that lucifer was a created angel who was perfect until he chose to rebel against God.

Some wonder if God made a mistake with lucifer. How could he go so wrong if God created him perfect?

The answer is that God created lucifer with a free will. Parents understand that when they have children, they take a risk that their children may not love them as much as they love their children. The children have free will to choose. Likewise, Lucifer chose to take a different path from the one that God had planned for him, and ultimately led a destructive rebellion against God and his kingdom. Jesus told us he was the father of lies (John 8:44) which gives us an insight into his original campaign in heaven.

But why didn’t God just destroy Lucifer at the beginning?

Remember the parable about the weeds mentioned above? Had God destroyed lucifer at the beginning, his accusations may have been believed by others. They may not have rebelled but may have served God only through fear of destruction. God desires that His creatures should love Him freely and trust Him implicitly, so in His wisdom He allowed lucifer’s rebellion to mature so that all in the universe would see its results. Paul tells us our planet has become the “theatre of the Universe.”

After being cast out of heaven the devil continued his rebellion on earth, tempting Eve to distrust God and believe his lies instead, (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:4). In choosing to believe the word of the devil over the Word of God, Adam and Eve effectively gave their dominion and authority over this planet to satan. (Genesis 1:28). In a sense they had voted for satan instead of God, however God, through Christ has given us an opportunity to vote again. TBC.