Why is there Evil in the World?

We all know and acknowledge there is evil in the world but how did it get there?

How would a materialist or atheist explain evil… if the universe is merely the result of random interactions of atoms colliding then the idea of evil… or good, is meaningless. Whatever happens, happens… whatever is, is. Famous atheists of the previous century like Stalin, Hitler, Mao used this kind of thinking to perpetrate some pretty bad stuff…

A less dedicated materialist might try to explain evil as a judgment of our human minds regarding things or events that happen as part of our fight for survival as individuals or as a species in an evolutionary process. We murder, lie, steal, to get ahead of the other guy. We commit adultery to spread or perpetuate our DNA... etc. Greed is good! Does anyone really believe ideas like that?

 

What About You People Who Believe in God?

OK you believe there is a God… you believe He is the creator and sustainer of all things… doesn’t that mean

1. God created evil – therefore meaning he had evil within himself and is the source of evil
2. God sustains evil – because He causes or allows it to continue He is responsible

We know these two propositions are not true… but they are logical questions and they deserve an answer.

Did God Create Evil?

God did not create evil… murder, lying stealing, war… but He did create the OPPORTUNITY for evil because he allows his creation freedom of will. He created us with minds capable of thinking our own thoughts and making our own choices.

Before creating man God created other spiritual beings with minds and freewill. He made them beautiful, with amazing gifts and talents. These spiritual beings were there with God when He created earth…. He gave some of them tasks to perform to prepare the earth for something very special yet too come  in His creation plan.

At some point a large portion of these beings decided they didn’t agree with what God had planned. Perhaps it was the idea that He was planning to create other spirit beings (mankind) who would, when completed and matured, be superior to them. Whatever the reason was they figured things would be better if they were in charge… and a full third of these spirit beings (the angels) rebelled against God.

Isaiah 14:13-14 evil begins with exercise of free will against God, His commands, His authority, His way

The Rebellion Failed… As It Had To

God is all-powerful, far above all rule an authority, power and dominion and their rebellion never had any hope of success - Luke 10:17-18, Rev 12:3-4

Why Didn’t God Get Rid of Satan Permanently?

God did not destroy the rebellious spirit being called angels… He could have thrown them into the abyss where they could do no harm… instead, they were hurled out of heaven and landed KABUMP… on earth.

AHA you say! So, once again God is responsible for the presence of evil in our world! God could have gotten rid of Satan but He doesn’t. God could stop it but He doesn’t. Why?

God Present Purpose on Earth is Creating Children

God’s children will be like Him in mind, spirit, character… a couple of key elements to that likeness are:

1. Everlasting life
2. Freedom of choice

Before God gives you everlasting life He needs to know your heart and mind…. What you will do with that eternal life…. Would you end up just like Lucifer? Would you choose to become the enemy and adversary of God?

That is why from the very beginning God has exposed humans to Satan and the fallen angels and the evil they promote. We all must choose and there is great suffering as a consequence.

God also exposes those whom he love to Satan the evil one for the purpose of testing and perfecting their character by allowing them to suffer. I Thess 2:4, Deut 8:2-3

Satan is under a restraining order from God

Job1:6-12 Satan can only do what God allows

Luke 22:31-32 Satan has to ask permission to mess with Peter

God the Father wants all to learn that the only kind of life that really works is the one that He reveals in His word. There is no alternative way that works and to prove that God lets us live in that alternative way in this present evil age (Gal 1:4).

But I Trust God at His Word Why Must I Suffer?

There is a lot we can learn by hearing, being taught and so forth but there are some things that can only be learned by experiencing them. BY believing and trusting in God you are way ahead of most of the world. God will provide you with the faith and spiritual strength you need but you still have to live your life in this present evil age.

What Does All This Have to Do With The Day of Atonement?

God has a plan... and at a certain time, He will switch gears. After thousands of years of choosing our own way,  thousands of years of allowing themselves to be mentally and spiritually dominated by Satan… God is going to turn everything upside down and show humanity what a 1,000 years of living His way looks like.

To get that started God installs a new authority on earth who is good, namely Jesus Christ and removes the present one who is evil, namely Satan. Rev 20:1-3

With the influence of Satan completely removed God can we will see what a world without evil looks like. Which of course is the point of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Then finally all men who have ever lived will arise again to life to see and compare and choose. For most this will be their first opportunity to make an informed choice. Some will choose eternal life and others will choose eternal death. Which of course is the point of the Last Great Day.

God did not create evil. He created choice. Would you really have it any other way?

Choose wisely… Choose Life.