It is phenomenal how many "Christians" do not believe God kills people. This issue is typically a common point of contention between us and those who oppose us. Yet, the fact that God does indeed kill people is so "in-our-face" obvious both in daily life as God takes people out, and in the Biblical record, that it is truly safe to say, only a fool would believe otherwise. This "God doesn't kill people" mentality is akin to what is found in an out of print Seventh-day Adventists' booklet entitled Till the Morning. This booklet states,
God not only slays the wicked, but the righteous as well, as Job said.
Jesus warned,
It is downright stupidity to say that God "is not the life-taker," or to intimate in any way that God does not kill. He indeed takes life, as He Himself says,
Romans 11:36 says, "all things" are "of Him and through Him and to Him." Any and all who die, die by the hand of God. For it is all His doing (Psalm 65:7-9; 66:1-12; 107; 118:22-24). It is all His work (Job 36:24-37:24; Psalm 104). And, yes,
As God Himself admitted in Hosea 6:5,
This killing includes even babies, as God says also in Hosea 9:16
After reading this, it makes perfect sense to me. I know that God causes and allows all things to happen, even our death.
"God is often blamed for death. I have seen people come bitter and hate God because they thought He took an innocent child's life. On the contrary, there is much evidence that God is the Life-giver -- the Source of life -- not the life-taker." (Till the Morning, by Oral E. Fisher, copyright 1971 by the Review and Herald Publishing Association, p. 21
This is so stupid. God is indeed "the life-taker." For just a few examples, Scripture records for us that He killed (i.e. took the life of) every single human being on the entire face of the earth, all except 8 people, in the flood (Genesis 6:7, 13, 17; 7:21-23). He killed the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them (Genesis 19:24-25). He killed Judah's sons, Er and Onan (Genesis 38:7-10; 1 Chronicles 2:3). He sought to kill Moses, but Zipporah spared him this fate (Exodus 4:24-26). The Lord killed all the firstborn of Egypt (Exodus 12:29). And, even though it is recorded that Saul committed suicide, Scripture still notes that "He killed him." (1 Chronicles 10:4-6, 13-14).
Moreover, in only one incident, the Lord killed thousands of the Israelites for complaining (Numbers 16:41-49). Yet, He killed them for complaining more than once (Numbers 11:1; 21:5-6). In Exodus 22:22-24 He warned that He would kill them if they afflicted any widow or fatherless child. And as it turned out, Scripture records that the Lord was not well-pleased with the Israelites, so "their bodies were scattered in the wilderness" (1 Corinthians 10:5). In other words, He killed them.
The Lord killed Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, for worshipping Him in the wrong way (Leviticus 10:1). The Lord opened up the earth and swallowed alive Korah and his company (Numbers 16:30-33). The Lord killed Nabal (1 Samuel 25:38). The Lord struck Uzzah dead when he touched the ark (2 Samuel 6:1-7). The Lord killed Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:20). The Lord killed Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:18-19). And, when He so pleases (Psalm 115:3), the Lord not only desires to kill, but prevents any circumstance that would stand in the way of His killing. For this was the case with Eli's sons, as it is written, Eli said to his sons,
"If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them. (1 Samuel 2:25)
Furthermore, God killed Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11), and He killed Herod for not giving glory to Him (Acts 12:20-23). Isaiah prophesied the Lord would slay the wicked in Isaiah 65:15. Jesus promised the church in Thyatira that He would kill the children of Jezebel (Revelation 2:23), and in the future Jesus will kill the Antichrist army with the sword that proceeds out of His mouth (Revelation 19:20).
God not only slays the wicked, but the righteous as well, as Job said.
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. (Job 13:15)
Jesus warned,
And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5)
It is downright stupidity to say that God "is not the life-taker," or to intimate in any way that God does not kill. He indeed takes life, as He Himself says,
Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. (Deuteronomy 32:39)
Romans 11:36 says, "all things" are "of Him and through Him and to Him." Any and all who die, die by the hand of God. For it is all His doing (Psalm 65:7-9; 66:1-12; 107; 118:22-24). It is all His work (Job 36:24-37:24; Psalm 104). And, yes,
The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. (1 Samuel 2:6)
As God Himself admitted in Hosea 6:5,
I have slain them by the words of my mouth. (see also Amos 4:10)
This killing includes even babies, as God says also in Hosea 9:16
Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up; they shall bear no fruit. Yes, were they to bear children, I would kill the darlings of their womb. (see also Numbers 31:17; Deuteronomy 2:34; 20:10-18; Psalm 137:9; Isaiah 13:11-16; Hosea 9:12-16; 13:16; Nahum 3:10).
After reading this, it makes perfect sense to me. I know that God causes and allows all things to happen, even our death.
