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22nd March 2012, 05:19 PM
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Reps: 6,238,318,040,427,184 (power: 6,238,318,040,430) | | The way I answer the whole question of 'why does God allow bad things to happen/allow the devil to exist' is as follows...
God has allowed us free will to do with as we please while time passes, guiding humanity and giving us the power to choose him. Once time is over (at the final judgement) a reckoning will be made and that is when the devil will get his just rewards. If God blinked people out of existence when they did their first thing wrong, there would be no-one left and no room for forgiveness or greater good. God's great victory is a longterm story across all of time (e.g. the long defeat of the devil). While pain and death are horrible, sometimes really horrible, they are temporary when compared with the long-term victory and the glory beyond.
That's how I see it at present anyway. 
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Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."
John 6:53-56 |
22nd March 2012, 05:35 PM
|  | Christ has Risen
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Reps: 19,385,906,162,904,328 (power: 19,385,906,162,906) | | Originally Posted by seeking_perfection  The way I answer the whole question of 'why does God allow bad things to happen/allow the devil to exist' is as follows...
God has allowed us free will to do with as we please while time passes, guiding humanity and giving us the power to choose him. Once time is over (at the final judgement) a reckoning will be made and that is when the devil will get his just rewards. If God blinked people out of existence when they did their first thing wrong, there would be no-one left and no room for forgiveness or greater good. God's great victory is a longterm story across all of time (e.g. the long defeat of the devil). While pain and death are horrible, sometimes really horrible, they are temporary when compared with the long-term victory and the glory beyond.
That's how I see it at present anyway. Hmmm, I quite like your idea
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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
-St Paul of Tarsus |
22nd March 2012, 05:41 PM
| | Veteran
 
| | Join Date: 21st December 2011
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Reps: 37,645,209,347,079,792 (power: 0) | | Originally Posted by savedbygrace05 That is not what I am saying! I am saying that God is the author of love which translates into humanity, we are the ones who have distorted that love.
`We` ? Who's we? Humanity is the author of love, and it is in the individuals hands whether he allows that love to flourish or turn sour.
Nothing to do with the `big man.`
Bish |
22nd March 2012, 05:54 PM
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Reps: 37,645,209,347,079,792 (power: 0) | | Originally Posted by savedbygrace05 Sorry to disappoint, but if you really want to understand the concept of the devil as a being, then you must do so in light of the bible. In order to understand the concept of evil you must understand the concept of good, in which case you again must refer to the bible.
God the Creator is totally good, the devil is totally evil. The devil is a fallen angel who rebelled against God in heaven and tried to overthrow Him, having led a rebellion with other angels.
Although the devil is evil he is not all powerful, and one day when human history is drawn to a close by The Creator, the devil will be finally and fully defeated.
Trying to understand the devil without the bible is like trying to understand love without the concept of a loving Creator.
A direct reference to the devil is made by Jesus in Lk 18 “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."
The devils final end is described in Rev 20: 10 "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
Why must one have an understanding of the bible to have an understanding of the Devil?
The Devil is evil personified(humanities creation) and has been around since man initially evolved.
The irony is of course. Lucifer was `his` favourite, so why didn't he prevent the fall?
Lets look at if from an another perspective, lets suggest that god is a tyrant and the devil -Lucifer- was/is simply acting in opposition to God's oppression.
Milton portrays him as a proud, rational, strategist.
Perhaps we need to look at the story behind the `fall` at little deeper.
Why do you think they never send Raphael? He's almost ready to side with his old buddy, Lucifer.
Dissent everywhere.
Bish  |
22nd March 2012, 05:56 PM
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| | Join Date: 23rd July 2011
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Reps: 33,796,279,410,751,016 (power: 33,796,279,410,755) | | Originally Posted by Bish bash bosh `We` ? Who's we? Humanity is the author of love, and it is in the individuals hands whether he allows that love to flourish or turn sour.
Nothing to do with the `big man.`
Bish
Looks like you have been trawling! But you are looking in the wrong place and at the wrong one if you are after an arguement. Peace, grace and love from God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit  |
22nd March 2012, 06:11 PM
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Reps: 33,796,279,410,751,016 (power: 33,796,279,410,755) | | Originally Posted by Bish bash bosh Why must one have an understanding of the bible to have an understanding of the Devil?
The Devil is evil personified(humanities creation) and has been around since man initially evolved.
The irony is of course. Lucifer was `his` favourite, so why didn't he prevent the fall?
Lets look at if from an another perspective, lets suggest that god is a tyrant and the devil -Lucifer- was/is simply acting in opposition to God's oppression.
Milton portrays him as a proud, rational, strategist.
Perhaps we need to look at the story behind the `fall` at little deeper.
Why do you think they never send Raphael? He's almost ready to side with his old buddy, Lucifer.
Dissent everywhere.
Bish
If you don't mind I'll stick with God The Creator's version, thanks |
22nd March 2012, 06:31 PM
| | Veteran
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Reps: 37,645,209,347,079,792 (power: 0) | | Originally Posted by savedbygrace05 Looks like you have been trawling! But you are looking in the wrong place and at the wrong one if you are after an arguement. Peace, grace and love from God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
Not looking for an argument, just clearing up any misconceptions in your posts.
Bish |
22nd March 2012, 06:32 PM
| | Veteran
| | Join Date: 21st December 2011
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Reps: 37,645,209,347,079,792 (power: 0) | | Originally Posted by savedbygrace05 If you don't mind I'll stick with God The Creator's version, thanks
Yeah, best to stick with the easy option.
Bish | | |
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