If God is in Control ...

[Woody]

should we be allowed to blame Him for what is going on.

Or IS He in control.

When thousands of people are killed such as in 9-11 or thousands of children are killed in a famine ... do we shout ... GOD IS IN CONTROL ?

[Ambassador]

Is the one who has the power to overt disaster and does not as responsible as the perpetrator?

Yet we might suggest that even when deaths of all kinds surround us there is unknown beauty and life of which we never glimpse. From my point of view God always brings life out of chaos. One way or another. It is his nature.

He may look out of control (Not able to work) yet behind the scenes he is working.

Look at the closing scenes of this world. It will be in chaos, yet still, God and his promises prevail. He is ultimately in control.

[Woody]

I guess I have to somewhat disagree.

Not that my view is right or necessary.

But, I believe this earth was given over to Satan.

He has far more control than God.

God mostly just 'allows' Satan to do most of what he wants.

What say you?

[Paula]

I guess I have to somewhat disagree.

Not that my view is right or necessary.

But, I believe this earth was given over to Satan.

He has far more control than God.

God mostly just 'allows' Satan to do most of what he wants.

What say you?

My husband and I have had this very conversation several times. My husband studied Physics and he is always trying to look at things in terms of mathematics and probability and statistics, etc... And recently he was saying how, statistically it seems that things on earth are "skewed" to the negative. Kind of like "Murphy's Law"... and that only at times, does God really interfere. Which really goes to what your saying. Now of course, the optimist in me cannot accept this reasoning... I see God's hand in keeping me, and my loved ones safe and secure each and every day. I see God as being constantly active in our lives. And I guess there is also room for that. I remember reading "A Trip into the Supernatural" by R. Morneau and he speaks of how prayer is a form of "giving God permission to act in your life". So I guess, if you are in a relationship with God, and if you are a believer, then yes... God does act within your realm, or sphere of action.. However, overall, it does seem that things on this earth are in Satans hands, and therefore are "skewed" to be bad. It's really scary if you stop to think about it. Yet at the same time, what a relief to know that we have God on our side!!!!

[SivartM]

He has far more control than God.

I really disagree... God is sovereign; he has total control. Just because the evil one causes death, that doesn't mean that he has more control. He can only control death, which is not too difficult. I could cause death if I wanted to, but I couldn't cause life, and every time something dies, something comes to life...

[Dr. Shane]

Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (Job 1:6, 7)

So the sons of God were meeting with God. Well, Adam was called a son of God. These "sons of God" were probably representatives from sinless worlds. Then Satan shows up. God asks, "Whence comest thou?" Basically, God is asking 'What right do you have to be here?' Satan answers, "From going to and fro in the earth" Basically, Satan is saying that he is the ruler of the Earth and thus has a right to be at the meeting. Notice that God disagrees. "Hast thou considered my servant Job?" (v.8)

The Psalmist doesn't seem to think the world belongs to Satan either. "The earth is Jehovah's, and the fulness thereof" (24:1)

[Woody]

Yes, The earth would be God's since he created it. But that doesn't mean He RULES it.

[Ambassador]

Yes, The earth would be God's since he created it. But that doesn't mean He RULES it.

I would politely disagree. When Jesus died on the cross the dominion of this world was forever switched from satan's hands to Christ's. Through ages since he has ruled through his children and those he sets up to bring about his will. It is not Satan who rules, he in his brilliance believes he does, but he does not.

Praise be to God, who giveth us the victory!

Blessings, Jerad

[Paula]

So the sons of God were meeting with God. Well, Adam was called a son of God. These "sons of God" were probably representatives from sinless worlds. Then Satan shows up. God asks, "Whence comest thou?" Basically, God is asking 'What right do you have to be here?' Satan answers, "From going to and fro in the earth" Basically, Satan is saying that he is the ruler of the Earth and thus has a right to be at the meeting. Notice that God disagrees. "Hast thou considered my servant Job?" (v.8)

That question doesn't really imply that God is disagreeing. If He were disagreeing, He would have kicked him out of the "meeting". But not only does God not do that, He allows satan to operate in Jobs life. I really do believe that satan IS the ruler of this world. However, once you accept God into your life, through the death of Jesus Christ you then, as a FREE WILL INDIVIDUAL render the control over your personal life to God. The earth is God's because He created it. But for now, Satan rules the earth.

1 John 5:19

19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

[Jeannieb43]

I believe that God is in control, that He could by one wave of His hand instantaneously wipe out all sin and sinners on this earth. But I believe we are all actors on the stage of the universe, and that all the other beings on all other created worlds around us are watching to see if there truly is a people who will worship God not because of any "goodies" He gives us, but because it is the RIGHT thing to do. And if God were to wipe out sin immediately, leaving us nothing more to suffer because of Satan's devilish actions on this earth, then all the other beings in the universe would say God is arbitrary, unjust, and severe--not giving Satan a fair hearing.

God is holding back the winds of strife now a little longer, in order to give the observers on the other worlds a chance to see Him as the long-suffering gracious God He is, granting to everybody on this earth the opportunity to choose for or against Him. And to prove God's patience and long-suffering with us, He has to let Satan's evil work continue a little bit longer. During this time, every person on earth will have had an opportunity to confess his faith in the true God, the Creator of the universe.

There may be more trials and persecutions ahead for some of us; we don't know the future. But we do know that heaven is secure, that we will be taken to live with God if we only accept His love and His invitation. And EGW says when we get there we will be able to say, "Heaven is cheap enough." So whatever we're called upon to bear, here on this earth, it will be as nothing compared with the marvelous reward in heaven.

This belief is what I hold onto.

[MariaS]

Those who could not see that God is Incontrol now, please study your bible along with the Desire of Ages. I am sad to see that we start a thread for the sake of writing but do not really bring forth the Glory of our Omnipotent..Obnipresent and the Alfa and the Omega God based on Bible understanding.

If you think that God isn't incontrol based on your opinion, than you are upholding the power of the opposite..the dragon..the serpent..the SATAN

[phkrause]

I definitely agree with Jeannie and Maria that God is in control. Satan might be allowed to do his stupidity now but his time is coming to a close. Also check out the thread about James Londis' article in the Review, I think it kind of touches on this.

[Paula]

Of course God is in control. But God abides by His own Rules. If that were not so, Jesus wouldn't have had to die. God could have made another way. But because it had been decided in eternity past that that was the price to pay for sin, that is the price that was paid. When mankind sinned, they chose to make Satan the ruler of this earth. This is clearly stated in the Bible:

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; you hold fast My Name and you did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells." (Revelation 2:12-13 RSV)

and

"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God." (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 RSV)

and finally:

1 John 5:19

19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Now, when Jesus Christ returns, THAT is when Satan's reign on earth will end for the 1000 years.

"But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!" (Revelation 12:12 RSV), andRevelation 20:7-10 RSV)

So the Bible does teach that Satan is the ruler on earth. But again, the believer is UNDER GOD, because he has CHOSEN to be so, and therefore he is RULED by GOD!! It's like if you have an insurgency. Think about the time of the colonists. People were under King George's rule. Then along came the patriots with a better way. Some people chose to align themselves with the patriots (George Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson). The KING, was still King George. He sent in his troops, he battled them. He threw many into prisons... but those who had seen a better way were no longer following the King, they had chose to follow the Patriots. The king still ruled, but they were not under his rule.

It is not a perfect analogy, but it serves to show that while Satan is the god of this world, when you choose to come under GOD, you are no longer a subject of Satan. This is why Ellen White speaks so often of the need to pray over ones family and children, in order to "hedge, or fence" them from the evil one. It is through prayer and communion with God that we are protected and spared from the wrath of ruler of this earth. Now, even with this, bad, evil things still happen to believers!!! However, nothing happens without God allowing it to, so only in heaven will we have many of our "why's" answered.

[Neil D]

Hmmmmmmm.......I hate to be a pessimist...but I fear for the above analogy...coming from another point of view, I see that it casts doubt upon God Himself...It begs the question, doesn't He know who is His? Why the continued trials and tribulation? Why does the populace of heaven need evidence to know who is trustworthy if God says that earthly person is trustworthy for heaven?

I don't know...But I do question the rules here on earth as to why we need to continue this experiment between good and evil...I question the cosmic connundrum because I don't have the information I need to make that decision...I think that there is a major piece of the information that is left out of the cosmic equation that probably is alluded to and we take for granted...

I have seen enough paranoia, out right evil, lust and greed to last a long time into eternity.And it pains me to see on display every day everytime that I see the news....

And when I think of what a society of heaven must be like, I can not help to think how silly it must seem to us who would come from this sin-stained world...

[Woody]

Quote:

When mankind sinned, they chose to make Satan the ruler of this earth.

Quote:

So the Bible does teach that Satan is the ruler on earth. But again, the believer is UNDER GOD, because he has CHOSEN to be so, and therefore he is RULED by GOD!!

Excellent comments and posts Paula.

For sure ... God would not be in control of all the evil that is present on this earth. If He was ... I would not serve Him.

And thanks for the good Bible quotes.

[Woody]

Satan is the "prince" of this world:

John 14:30 "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me."

[Woody]

Quote:

"Satan has set up his throne on the earth"

Ellen G. White {ST, May 26, 1898 par. 8}