God’s global garden

Before the beginning God planned the beginning. Out of the infinite number of possibilities, God chose to make this version of this universe (perfect, without evil) because it was, and is, and will be the best.

“He is the Rock, his work is perfect:

for all his ways are judgment:

a God of truth and without iniquity,

just and right is he.“ (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Only Infinite Wisdom could run all the scenarios and watch their outcomes to the end. Only Infinite Power could then build the one that was best for everybody, not only in general, but for each individual of His universal family. Wisdom chose the best universe and Wisdom offered the best eternal life to each person.

“Length of days is in [Wisdom’s] right hand;

and in her left hand riches and honor.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:

and happy is every one that retains her.

The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth;

by understanding has he established the heavens.

By his knowledge the depths are broken up,

and the clouds drop down the dew.“ (Proverbs 3:16-20)

Wisdom is not merely doing something good, but knowing why it is good and what the consequences are. Wisdom is that still small voice that speaks in the mind clearly and articulately. Wisdom sees both the situation at hand and the long term results. The power of that vision is what keeps God’s children going forward in the right direction.

“He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous:

he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

He keeps the paths of judgment,

and preserves the way of his saints.

Then shall you understand righteousness,

and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

When wisdom enters into your heart,

and knowledge is pleasant unto your soul;

Discretion shall preserve you;

understanding shall keep you.“ (Proverbs 2:7-11)

In the perfect universe in the beginning, every intelligent being—including angels and humans—had the guardrails of wisdom to help keep them on the path. Yes, the guardrail could be climbed and the traveler could jump over the edge of destruction, because that is how choice is choice. Yet, there would be no accident. No one walking the path of peace and contentment is even tempted to make the difficult climb over the fence.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man.” (James 1:13)

Just as we walk along the ocean cliffs and stay back from the edge, so all perfect beings naturally stay away from the borders of good and evil. There is no temptation to jump from light to darkness. On the contrary, there is an internal reasoning and wisdom that makes such an insane choice undesirable.

Nobody leaves a life that is getting better and better for something worse. Therefore, sin could not start by accident. Evil did not arise because of broken guardrails or by foolish impulse. This is hard to understand because we are a mixture of good and evil desires in an environment of good mixed with evil. However, the original universe was perfect, only perfect, and getting more perfect. Infinite Wisdom designed it that way for everyone’s protection and for everyone’s glorious eternal destiny.

The Bible tells us that evil was chosen into existence by an angel. Before tracing that pattern, some readers may not be familiar with angels. So let’s briefly describe them.

Hebrews chapter 1 and 2 tell us that they are a species higher than humans but lower than the Son of God. Obviously, they are created beings and intelligent like us. They think and feel and choose out of faith, hope, and love.

Their position is special attendants to God to deliver comfort and guidance to other lower created beings. (Hebrews 1 and Job 1 hint that there are other human-like beings on other worlds.) They chiefly, but not solely, do their job by delivering messages. The Greek word, angel, means messenger.

They are “spirits” with the ability to morph how they look. (Genesis 18, 19; Judges 6:11-22; 2 Corinthians 11:14) Apparently, in their natural state, they are called cherubims and seraphims and have two and/or six wings. (Isaiah 6:1-6; Exodus 25, 26; Ezekiel 10)

Lucifer’s insanity

Lucifer—shining one, brilliant one, or morning star—was a happy child of God content to do his Father’s will. He was innocent, eager student of the universe, but for some unknown, unexplainable reason, he chose to be discontent and break the cosmic harmony.

“How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14)

How could a created being possibly arrive logically at the conclusion that they deserved to be equal with God! Literally, the angel had to defy wisdom to push his mind into such a train of thought. And this was no ordinary angel. He was the chief of all the angels.

“You seal up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of your tabrets and of your pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. You are the anointed cherub that covers and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until iniquity was found in you.... Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness.” (Ezekiel 28:12-17)

It was not his beauty or brightness that tempted Lucifer, because those are good things and there are no temptations in God’s perfect universe. (James 1:13) The angel who was created “full of wisdom” had to first corrupt his wisdom so that pride and vanity and jealousy could enter.

But why would a wise angel want to become a fool? Why would a happy being want to become discontent? There is no good or rational explanation. He had to somehow force and persist in his choice, ignoring all sorts of warning signs and enduring pains never before felt. Sin is insane, inexcusable, and against all goodness.

Lucifer was “the anointed cherub that covers.” The temple in Exodus 25 gives us a dim model of what that looked like. The mercy seat covered the ark of the covenant. This represented God’s government. The Shekinah Glory—Christ Himself—rose above it. On either side was a cherubim who communed with God then communicated with the other angels. Lucifer was literally God’s right hand man.

This is the angel who decided to leave God’s glory and turn against Him. This is the innocent being who transformed himself into Satan—the adversary—and exchanged his robe of light for shame, darkness, and falsehood. Lucifer would not have stopped with equality with God, but would have killed Him and taken the throne.

Jesus told the murderous priests, “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

Satan could not live with the Truth. He had already broken through the barriers of wisdom and love, and thus could not tolerate their presence. He manufactured discontent and rebellion among one third of the angels (Revelation 12:4) and they were ready to overthrow the government of heaven.

However, the contest was not to be decided by force. God could have destroyed the rebels in an instant, but He was too wise and too caring to do that. His power was the un-power of faith, hope, love, goodness, mercy. For the sake of the loyal angels, Satan was exiled rather than executed.

The innocent two thirds of the angels had decided against Satan’s group, but they did not understand the full extent of his questions and accusations. They had never seen sin before so they could not comprehend its complete consequences or its insidious influence. Their emotions were conflicted and their loyalties were not solid.

“You shall know them by their fruits.” “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” (Matthew 7:16; Proverbs 20:11)

Satan would be given time and space to develop his kingdom with his supporters. Meanwhile, God would also continue developing His kingdom. At some point, the loyal universe would see and feel for themselves. They would wholeheartedly decide they had enough and demand the termination of evil.

“He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.” (Proverbs 18:13)

God would not leave the accusations only partially answered or even partially asked. As painful though it be, every problem would be solved and every question fully answered. Truth and error would grow up side by side to completion so that there would be no future doubts. Thus, Satan was given time.

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” (Jude 1:6) “God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” (2 Peter 2:4)

Ever since the Dark Ages, it has been a popular, but unbiblical, myth that Satan was cast out to the earth. That leads to the untruth that humanity was placed at a disadvantage. The truth is that Satan’s cohort was given some remote corner of the universe where they could be observed from a safe distance. There was only way that Satan could present his arguments and get people to vote for him—by eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

The fall of Adam and Eve

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. And the serpent said unto the woman, You shall not surely die: For God does know that in the day you eat of it then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit of it and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:1-6)

Eating a piece of fruit seems like a silly way to prove loyalty, but its simplicity makes things clear. A thought cannot be observed. A word might be misunderstood. Even a touch might be accidental or misinterpreted. Eating a piece of fruit, out of all the myriads of delicious fruit in the garden, was clear, purposeful, decisive. Everybody would see and everybody would know.

Plain and simple, Adam and Eve chose not to trust God. They were tricked (animals can’t talk), but they chose not to wait to consult God about the accusation that He was holding something back. They were lied to, and they had never encountered a lie, but they hoped to gain more than any potential loss. They chose to love the serpent and his words more than the word of God.

Our first parents‘ choice was not outright rebellion. Therefore, there was hope for their redemption. However, they ignored, twisted, and rejected the warning signals of faith, hope, and love. They rewired their brains and passed on their now mortal natures to their posterity. This is why we must learn our individual lessons of faith, hope, and love in preparation for immortality.

Though we have changed. God has not. His destiny, His predestined plan for us, remains the same. It will require much pain on His part and our part to regain it, but it can be regained. We can one day sit by His side in His throne. (Revelation 3:21) His plan for a worldwide fruitful family remains unchanged, though the conditions and the environment have changed.

God’s original purpose was to fill the earth with people who were perfect physically and spiritually.

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)

Adam and Eve sinned and desolated themselves spiritually. They ate the forbidden fruit for non-spiritual reasons.

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:6-8)

God cleansed the garden of sinners and cursed the earth physically so humanity could learn the suffering that sin causes, rather than be spoiled as miserable immortal sinners.

“Unto Adam he said, Because you have listened unto the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you saying, You shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of your life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you and you shall eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, until you return unto the ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you are and unto dust shall you return. And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from where he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:17-24)

There was no church yet. God tried to save the whole world as a group, but they rebelled.

“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” (Genesis 6:11-13)

God started over with Noah to fulfill His original plan, but in a more difficult environment, so that they would more easily feel a need for Divine help.

“And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.” (Genesis 9:1-7)

The world rebelled again, so God changed the plan, but not the goal. He divided the world into separate nations to slow the spread of sin.

“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.” (Genesis 11:1-9)

You are a dear child of our heavenly Father. In nights of darkness, as well as in the days of light, God loves you and seeks to rescue you from all evil. He wants more than anything to restore you to the glorious purpose for which He originally created you. Let’s take a journey from beginning to end of The Book to see the hope He has for you.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them...”

God created you to rule like Him. He does not keep all the power for Himself, but shares it with His sons and daughters. Like Him, we use that power to create, protect, and bless.

“...And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28)

Our first parents were given a garden home (see Genesis 2:8), and like a garden, they were to be fruitful and multiply. All of their sons and daughters, which includes us and our sons and daughters, were to be born in that paradise. We were to live as one enormous, immortal, happy family covering the whole earth.

“For thus says the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45:18)

Even though we have fallen into sin and selfishness, even though evil has almost fully covered the world, God’s purpose remains unchanged. He will have a family living forever on this earth and He wants you to be a part of it!

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget you. Behold, I have graven you upon the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:15-16)

Do not for a moment think that your heavenly Father does not know you or has forgotten you. You may not know Him or maybe you have rebelled against Him, but He was in Christ on the cross reconciling you to Himself so that you may believe that He loves you more than Himself.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

He spilled His life’s blood on the cross so that you could be given a spiritual transfusion. He has hope for you! He has already made the sacrifice, so now He wants you to use it and live. It is not evil to come to the Lord of peace with humility and gratitude.

“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?...”

Just as God is abundant with nature, so He is abundant with you. If He hated you, then He would make the flowers turn their faces away whenever you approached. He would put you in a shadow while the sun shined on the person next to you. But He does not do this. If you will trust Him, He will give you more than you can imagine.

“...And seek not what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of these things. But rather seek you the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:27-32)

Do you think your survival is entirely dependent on you and your Father does not help you? You work hard for a sandwich, while God wants to give you the entire universe! You think you are not worthy of lunch, but you were born royalty! Your Father’s infinite plans for you are unchanged since the days of creation.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:14-17)

You have broken the laws of life. You should have died a long time ago. However, the Father and the Son broke themselves and offer you their life, if you will only believe, look up, and live. You are included in “whoever!"

“Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)

The Son prayed that you could be with Him and the Father forever. This was their purpose for you from before the world was made.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30)

The evil under which you now suffer will be turned to your good, if you will come to Him when He calls you. His destiny for you has always been that you share in His glory as king or queen on earth.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he has made us accepted in the beloved....”

You are already blessed with all good things in the Son. You are already chosen to be in Him. You have been predestined from the days of eternity to be in heaven with God. His glorious eternal purpose for you remains unchanged. It does not pain Him to save you, but rather, it causes songs of praise to be sung!

“...In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; In which he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him...”

You have strayed from your Father’s plan for you, but it is His good pleasure to offer you redemption and forgiveness and riches you do not deserve. He wants to gather you back into His universal family.

“...In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3-12)

It is God’s own will, His own choice, to keep safe in Christ your eternal inheritance. You don’t deserve it, but when trust Him it calls forth the light of praise which ends the curse of darkness.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Our heavenly Father would have all men and women, all boys and girls, know the truth of His love, trust Him, and follow Him in peace all the way to the eternal kingdom. Let enemies be turned to friends. Let bullies be turned to servants. Let leaders and citizens alike pray for one another and be saved into God’s family.

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loves he chastens and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?...”

We all make mistakes. All of our parents have needed to correct us. God is our infinite Father, but He never abuses us. He sees what is ahead of us. He knows the weaknesses and pride of our hearts. He sends good times and bad times to keep us from worse times and prepare us for the humble love of eternity.

“...But if you be without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then are you illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they truly for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness...”

Your Father’s hope for you is that you live forever with Him in goodness and holiness. Trials and suffering, whether caused by you or others, are limited to what God and you can handle together. When you evade the trial and deny your responsibility, you leave your Father’s side. This why you feel alone and abandoned.

“...Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised by it. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:5-13)

Do not be discouraged. Do not give up. Hang on tight to your Father’s hand and He will lead you through trial and blessing alike. The path that now seems so dark and twisted will lead you straight to heaven’s gates.

“And 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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband....”

That garden we lost so long ago will someday soon—sooner than most think—be restored as a glorious city. You are invited to have a home there.

“...And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away....”

This is the day for which your heart yearns. When the sun rises on the new earth where the sun will never set, then you will see with your own eyes the yearning love the Father has for all of His family. Until then we must believe and trust and wait in holiness.

“...And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:1-7)

Your God, your Father, will give you a drink from the fountain of life with His own cup. Face to face, eye to eye, pierced hand to hand, He will claim you as His son or daughter. He will put His arm around your shoulder, tell the heavenly family your new name, and seat you at the great banqueting table.

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light of it. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.” (Revelation 21:23-24)

God’s original purpose—to have humans wisely rule over the whole earth—is restored more gloriously than before. All are kings. All are queens. Including you, dear reader, if you are willing to trade your earthly honor for God’s eternal honor.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)

You are included in “whoever.” What is your choice? What is your decision? By faith will you now drink of the spiritual Water of Life that one day soon you may drink from heaven’s fountain? Your Father personally invites you to drink. He sincerely hopes you will.

The existence of God is neither precluded nor rendered improbable by the existence of evil. Of course, suffering and misfortune may nonetheless constitute a problem for the theist; but the problem is not that his beliefs are logically or probabilistically incompatible. The theist may find a religious problem in evil; in the presence of his own suffering or that of someone near to him he may find it difficult to maintain what he takes to be the proper attitude towards God. Faced with great personal suffering or misfortune, he may be tempted to rebel against God, to shake his fist in God’s face, or even to give up belief in God altogether. But this is a problem of a different dimension. Such a problem calls, not for philosophical enlightenment, but for pastoral care. The Free Will Defense, however, shows that the existence of God is compatible, both logically and probabilistically, with the existence of evil; thus it solves the main philosophical problem of evil. — Alvin Plantinga, God, Freedom, and Evil

Alvin Plantinga is generally credited as the first philosopher to “solve” the problem of evil. That is, he showed it is not logically contradictory for there to be moral evil and an omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent God at the same time. It is a theoretical argument with a theoretical solution, but nonetheless it was a philosophical breakthrough.

If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. — C. S. Lewis

Both good and evil, when they are full grown, become retrospective...That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporary suffering, ‘No future bliss can make up for it,’ not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory. And of some sinful pleasure they say ‘Let me but have this and I’ll take the consequences’: little dreaming how damnation will spread back and back into their past and contaminate the pleasure of the sin. — C. S. Lewis

Badness cannot succeed even in being bad in the same way in which goodness is good. Goodness is, so to speak, itself: badness is only spoiled goodness. Evil is a parasite, not an original thing. — C. S. Lewis

C. S. Lewis always has deep thoughts on spiritual topics, but I am not aware that he ever developed a complete picture of evil from beginning to end. The only one I am aware of that painted the big picture in detail is E. G. White. Below are a small sampling of quotes in order from beginning to end from her “Conflict Series” of five books.

“God is love.” 1 John 4:16. His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been; it ever will be. “The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,” whose “ways are everlasting,” changeth not. With Him “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Isaiah 57:15; Habakkuk 3:6; James 1:17.

The history of the great conflict between good and evil, from the time it first began in heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion and the total eradication of sin, is also a demonstration of God’s unchanging love. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 33)

So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth His praise. And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies. But a change came over this happy state. There was one who perverted the freedom that God had granted to His creatures. Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven. Lucifer, “son of the morning,” was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled. He stood in the presence of the great Creator, and the ceaseless beams of glory enshrouding the eternal God rested upon him. “Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering. . . . 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. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Ezekiel 28:12-15. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 35)

Even when he was cast out of heaven, Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since only the service of love can be acceptable to God, the allegiance of His creatures must rest upon a conviction of His justice and benevolence. The inhabitants of heaven and of the worlds, being unprepared to comprehend the nature or consequences of sin, could not then have seen the justice of God in the destruction of Satan. Had he been immediately blotted out of existence, some would have served God from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, he must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, and that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might be forever placed beyond all question.

Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its terrible results. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God’s government is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 42)

By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,—God’s thought made audible. In His prayer for His disciples He says, “I have declared unto them Thy name,”—“merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,”—“that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” But not alone for His earthborn children was this revelation given. Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. God’s wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which “angels desire to look,” and it will be their study throughout endless ages. Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song. It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which “seeketh not her own” has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto. (Desire of Ages, 19)

The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan’s deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world’s dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, “with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2.

The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of “the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal.” Romans 16:25, R. V. It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God’s throne. From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. So great was His love for the world, that He covenanted to give His only-begotten Son, “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. (Desire of Ages, 22)

Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. His administration was laid open before the unfallen angels and before the heavenly universe. He had revealed himself as a murderer. By shedding the blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings. Henceforth his work was restricted. Whatever attitude he might assume, he could no longer await the angels as they came from the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ’s brethren of being clothed with the garments of blackness and the defilement of sin. The last link of sympathy between Satan and the heavenly world was broken.

Yet Satan was not then destroyed. The angels did not even then understand all that was involved in the great controversy. The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed. And for the sake of man, Satan’s existence must be continued. Man as well as angels must see the contrast between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. He must choose whom he will serve. (Desire of Ages, 761)

The whole wicked world stand arraigned at the bar of God on the charge of high treason against the government of heaven. They have none to plead their cause; they are without excuse; and the sentence of eternal death is pronounced against them. (Great Controversy, 668)

Satan sees that his voluntary rebellion has unfitted him for heaven. He has trained his powers to war against God; the purity, peace, and harmony of heaven would be to him supreme torture. His accusations against the mercy and justice of God are now silenced. The reproach which he has endeavored to cast upon Jehovah rests wholly upon himself. And now Satan bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence.

“Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest.” Verse 4. Every question of truth and error in the long-standing controversy has now been made plain. The results of rebellion, the fruits of setting aside the divine statutes, have been laid open to the view of all created intelligences. The working out of Satan’s rule in contrast with the government of God has been presented to the whole universe. Satan’s own works have condemned him. God’s wisdom, His justice, and His goodness stand fully vindicated. It is seen that all His dealings in the great controversy have been conducted with respect to the eternal good of His people and the good of all the worlds that He has created. “All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord; and Thy saints shall bless Thee.” Psalm 145:10. The history of sin will stand to all eternity as a witness that with the existence of God’s law is bound up the happiness of all the beings He has created. With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: “Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.” (Great Controversy, 670)

The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love. (Great Controversy, 678)

Why would an infinite good person make anything less than a perfect universe?

Does predestination determine who will be saved or not?

When did God plan your eternal life?

What is good and what is evil?

Why must both good and evil fruit be fully ripened?

At each stage of church development, what if the church had made different choices?