Bible Discussion Thread

Part two: The necessity of Satan in God's Master Plan

We often think of how messed up things are since the time of the fall of man; but don't consider the beginning when "all the sons of God sang for joy" and the reason Lucifer himself was created and ultimately fell. One thing common to Adam and Eve as well as Lucifer is that although they were created perfectly in right standing with God and without sin they had the POTENTIAL to fail.

That is interesting to consider since we were created eternal beings; in regard to the Tree of Life for instance which would have placed us in a situation where we would never die physically but also could disregard anything better. In His Providence the Lord allowed Lucifer to fall and didn't have a remedy for him as he did for man as we see the laments in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. This didn't mean there wasn't some sadness as the dirge in these verses indicates when it describes how far he fell and his final end.

Again looking at Adam and Eve if they could live forever physically then in some sense death would never take them out or perhaps lead them to hell; at the very least they would live on earth until the judgment and could very easily decide it is worth living in sin with such a delay in final judgment (or the first death as opposed to the second death currently for the wicked who must die physically). It also seems that the tree of life bringing healing to the nations is designed for an eternal glorified body so not suitable for fallen man (that ostensively could get a free pass from eternal punishment as well). In any case Christ offers something better; death came upon all so that eternal life could be so much better spiritually as well as with a glorified body suitable for heaven. In the battles of life we can be united with the victor and winner of the war (Christ); or continue to be associated with the usurper (Satan) who has temporary leadership on earth. Without struggle there would be no reward.