Questions about Satan

[Free]

Thanks to everyone who had replied to my original post. There have been a lot of interesting comments. So far, though, no one has offered any thoughts about why God decided to allow Satan to have dominion over Earth. When Satan rebelled and was banished by God (if that is the correct interpretation of what happened), why did God send him to this planet? Why not send him and his demons to some remote planet billions of light years away from here? If God loves all of us and wants as many people as possible to be saved, why did He allow Satan to come here, apparently for the sole purpose of wreaking havoc and driving as many of us away from God as possible? I'm just curious if anyone has any theological explanation as to why this might be. In all my years of being a Christian, I never heard anyone address that issue.

Ultimately, of course, we cannot give a definitive answer and all is speculation. However, in speculating, I would suggest that we must also consider why God didn't just destroy him. I think that Revelation, among other books, gives us a clue as to why, and that is to be used as a tool by God to accomplish His purposes on earth. Indeed, I would even suggest that evil is necessary in order for us to truly have the choice as to whether or not we will reciprocate God's love.

 

[JustWondering]

Indeed, I would even suggest that evil is necessary in order for us to truly have the choice as to whether or not we will reciprocate God's love.

If that's the case, before the Fall, were Adam and Eve able to reciprocate God's love? Was it necessary for them to sin against Him in order to bring about evil, thus allowing them to reciprocate God's love? I'm not sure I understand the logic in that statement.

 

[Prince]

I was just wondering (hence my name) where we get the traditional concept of Satan? I'm referring to the commonly understood idea that he is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and took 1/3 of the angels with him. What are the scriptures that support this story? I know about Isaiah 14:12, but can we be certain this is referring to Satan? In the KJV that verse refers to Lucifer, but I noticed in the NIV, it doesn't include the reference to Lucifer. Also, it seems to be directed as a taunt against the King of Babylon, so why do we infer those verses to be about Satan?

I also read Ezekiel 28, which I think many people interpret to be verses about Satan's rebellion and exile from Heaven. But again, in context, it seems to be directed to the earthly ruler of Tyre, so why is it applied to Satan? Where are the verses that refer to the 1/3 of angels being banished with him? I couldn't find that one.

Lastly, I have a more general philosophical question. When Satan rebelled and got expelled from Heaven, why did God banish him to Earth? With an entire universe at His disposal, wouldn't it have made more sense to put Satan somewhere far away from God's children? If it's true that Satan's entire purpose is to destroy us and keep people from coming to Christ, why would God intentionally allow Satan to dwell on the same planet as His children? The Bible says God wants everyone to be saved, and no one to perish, but wouldn't we (humanity) have a much higher success rate if Satan and his demons weren't here with us?

To me, it is similar to an earthly parent having a rottweiler or pit bull and finding out they have rabies. Then, instead of putting the dog to sleep or confining it somewhere very far away and safe, the parent intentionally let's the dog stay in the backyard where all the kids are playing.

I don't mean to be disrespectful here, I'm just wondering what reasons God might have for doing this.

Hello

For the sake of time I will not be able to address all your points at the moment but lets start here

I also read Ezekiel 28, which I think many people interpret to be verses about Satan's rebellion and exile from Heaven. But again, in context, it seems to be directed to the earthly ruler of Tyre, so why is it applied to Satan?

Ezekiel 28

Ezekiel 28:12 "Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the King of Tyrus, and say unto him, 'Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty."

Ezekiel 28:13 "Thou hast been in Eden the Garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the Sardis, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created."

The King of Tyre was not in the Garden of Eden..He was not yet born

Ezekiel 28:14 "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire

The King of Tyre is and was never a cherub - a cherub is a created being for protection - the king of Tyre was not created - he was born thru the womb of a woman..

Ezekiel 28:15 "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."

The King of Tyre was not perfect - he was a man liable to make mistakes...

So as we can see this is a "type" although we see the King of Tyre being spoken of - the true message is regarding satan himself...