At a glance …
Satan proposed an alternative
To be fair and transparent God allows it to run.
All can then choose
God promises full support for those who ask for it.
He came and lived here like us.
At the fullness of evil God will bring it to an end.
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Truth for Today Bible Study Module 21
WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? |
Murderer—one who takes the life of another person. Satan is a murderer. He may do this through pollutions, drug taking, substance abuse, addictions, torture, violence, domestic abuse, transport accidents, disease, degenerative conditions, war, terrorism, natural disasters, calamities, or by sowing seeds of personal hatred and anger in the heart of one person for another, leading to mortal injury. Satan can also destroy the reputation of a person by gossip, or slander.
Liar—One who habitually says things that are not true. Satan is a liar. This means that nothing that he says or implies is true. His intent is to deceive to gain support. As he was a musician he can work through music, or religion, political groups, hidden agendas, media reports, advertising, spin, reporting on global situations, mind control techniques, or secret societies. Often he packages an untruth with much that is true to further deceive, making it harder to recognise the hidden lie. He lies to bring down good people. He damages their reputation, often using humour and jest to do that work. Satan spreads confusion in the world with half truth and half error, till people long for a figure who will stand above it all and speak with authority and certainty. By contrast to Satan, Jesus said, I am the Truth.
Wrath—anger, fury. |
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Around us we see war, cruelty, pain, distress, disaster and death. We ask, Where is a so-called good God when all this evil is happening? If there is a God, why does He allow it to continue? Is it all beyond His control? These are questions thinking people of all times have asked.
Q1 What Bible writers living at other times have asked this same question?
For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:17
I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading Himself like a green bay tree. Psalm 37:35.
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. Job 9:24
My soul is weary of life… I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God, Do not condemn me. Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. Job 13:3
NOTE: Asaph, David and Job knew physical suffering, oppression, war, and unfairness and they could not understand it. They knew of God and worshipped Him, but were troubled that evil seemed to flourish and was especially targeted on those who were trying to live good lives. Job was challenging towards God about this situation, and expressed his desire to question God. It is not fair, why does God not stop it? And the next quite valid question comes —Is it that God is not able to stop it?
Q2 How and where did all our suffering begin?
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth… Thou hast walked upon the holy mountain of God … Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day thou wast created, until iniquity was found in thee. Ezekiel 28:12-17.
NOTE: This refers to a being in heaven, a high angel of God in a responsible position, |
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