Why does God allow suffering? Bear in mind, those that don't need a perfect distraction, suffer less

[Larniavc]

Aside from the fact that GOD cannot create any evil

Apart from the Devil and evil people, obviously.

 

[Larniavc]

It was a judgement (of the Mesopotamia).

Bible also implies some spiritual supernatural involvement (fallen angels with women) in the Mesopotamian society.

Doesn’t answer my ‘why?’ question.

 

[timothyu]

Again, "us" was aware of both good and evil, but chose not to use evil for personal gain. Now that we are aware, the same choice resides within we humans. Most reject making that choice.

Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:

 

[Larniavc]

YES!

HE did NOT create, bring into existence, the reality of evil though HE did create the possibility of evil by giving HIS creation free will!

Then who created evil? I’m reliably informed on this very website that everything needs to be caused: and by an intelligent actor no less.

So who invented evil?

 

[timothyu]

So who invented evil?

There can be no good without it to give it definition.

 

[TedT]

Not except of course.. already said creation is dual in nature out of necessity. opposing things are but part of a whole. One cannot exist without the other just as existence cannot exist without non-existence.

...except this cannot apply to moral goodness or moral evil because before creation there was no moral evil in existence, there was only YHWH in HIS morally perfect goodness.

Moral evil became a reality ONLY when some of HIS creation chose to stand against HIS moral goodness and call it evil, repudiating HIM as a liar and a false god: Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

 

[TedT]

Yet Jesus said to be one with God.

I accept the divine nature of Jesus as different from the created nature of everyone else.

 

[TedT]

Then who created evil? I’m reliably informed on this very website that everything needs to be caused: and by an intelligent actor no less.

So who invented evil?

Please, last time: evil was created, brought into existence beyond the mere possibility of its being, by the Satanic repudiation of HIS claims to be our or GOD and the only standard of all morality.

 

[Ken-1122]

Rev 21:4 is about spiritual Jerusalem that symbolizes the kingdom of God. Its not about heaven.

So in your view, the Kingdom of God is not Heaven? How are they different?

What claim do you have in mind? I know the best world must include some suffering.

How do you know this?

 

[timothyu]

...except this cannot apply to moral goodness or moral evil because before creation there was no moral evil in existence,

Yet Gen 3: 22 says otherwise

 

[timothyu]

So in your view, the Kingdom of God is not Heaven? How are they different?

The new Kingdom (meaning both a place and a ruler)

Rev 21:1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

 

[Ken-1122]

The new Kingdom (meaning both a place and a ruler)

Rev 21:1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

So how is the new heaven different from the old heaven? And which heaven do you go to when you die; the new one or the old one?

 

[timothyu]

So how is the new heaven different from the old heaven? And which heaven do you go to when you die; the new one or the old one?

New heaven (sky-outer space) and earth refers to our comprehendible universe. Resurrection is the gate where you either are allowed entrance to or denied the Kingdom to come. No one goes to capital H Heaven.

 

[Larniavc]

There can be no good without it to give it definition.

Not what I asked.

 

[Larniavc]

Please, last time: evil was created, brought into existence beyond the mere possibility of its being, by the repudiation of HIS claims to be our or GOD and the only standard of all morality.

Ah, so humanity invented evil? Why hasn’t God fixed it? Can he fix it or his he unable or unwilling to: because he’s not fixed it yet.

 

[Larniavc]

There can be no good without it to give it definition.

So you can’t be kind without someone else being unkind?

Nah, that’s not true. Kindness can exist in the absence of unkindness.

 

[TedT]

Why did God need to prepare? He can make anything happen instantly.

No HE cannot.
HE cannot do evil for instance and will not cause HIS sinful elect undue suffering by hurrying or forcing HIS plans on us: Matt 13:27-30 and HE is perfectly patient with us, 2 Peter 3:15 Consider also that our Lord’s longsuffering patience brings salvation...perfectly balancing our need to become holy, ie, in perfect accord with HIS morality and HIS purposes, and our frailties as created creatures.

 

[Ken-1122]

New heaven (sky-outer space) and earth refers to our comprehendible universe. Resurrection is the gate where you either are allowed entrance to or denied the Kingdom to come. No one goes to capital H Heaven.

So.... Nobody goes to Heaven, the good people go to God's Kingdom; is that correct? If so, what is Heaven for if nobody goes there?

 

[TedT]

Ah, so humanity invented evil? Why hasn’t God fixed it? Can he fix it or his he unable or unwilling to: because he’s not fixed it yet.

Invented? Hardy the right word at all since the possibility of evil started with the creation of people with a free will.

No, Satan brought evil into reality from possibility and then he and every sinner was flung into the earth, into Sheol, from whence all sinners are sown into the world, Matt 13:36-29.

And yes, HE can and will fix the problem of sin in HIS creation but it is a two part process.

Part the first:
Some of those who put their faith in HIM as GOD and saviour (becoming His sheep, His elect) later sinned (becoming His sheep gone astray into sin) by rebelling against HIS call for the judgement of the reprobate, those who rebuked HIM as a liar and a false god (the never believers who are condemned already, Jn 3:18).

This rebellion caused them to become sinful and evil, needing redemption and sanctification to become heaven ready which was the promise of their election. This forced the postponement of the judgement until these sinful but elect good seed can be brought to perfect holiness.

This is taught in the parable of the weeds in Matt 13, especially verses 27-30 and 36-39.

Part the second:
Once all the sinful elect are redeemed and sanctified, the Judgement of the Satanic weeds will be called and they will be banished to the outer darkness, aka the lake of fire.

Due to the fragility and stubbornness of HIS creatures it takes a long time to bring these sinful elect to being heaven ready but the end is inevitable and is predestined to occur. Our lives are predetermined to be the most perfect lives as vehicles to bring HIS lost sheep home to make them ready to become His Bride.

The ending of all evil in HIS created reality ushers in the time for the wedding of the Lamb to His church, His bride consisting of every faithful person in creation which fulfills the purpose of HIS plan for our creation.

 

[TedT]

So.... Nobody goes to Heaven, the good people go to God's Kingdom; is that correct? If so, what is Heaven for if nobody goes there?

Heaven is a state of emotional and intellectual being called a marriage, not a place.

It is the state which is the basis for the true (full) meaning of earthly marriage, the full unity, communion, fellowship of people who are married...the perfect marriage. This heavenly marriage is enhanced by being between everyone in the marriage, billions of people, and their GOD all at the same item in a telepathic union of communion and loving fellowship no matter where anyone actually is.