All authority

Hopefully this clears up the confusion that Satan is currently running things.

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Or that the apostles had authority over Christ. They were servants of Christ, just as we should be.

Hammster said:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:18-20

Hopefully this clears up the confusion that Satan is currently running things.

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Talking point only - why doesn't God use His authority to stop the god of this age from blinding those who do not believe?

It seems strange that God who is not willing that any should perish is not using His authority to the extent that there are people all around us perishing, not knowing Him.

Don't misinterpret me - I believe 100,000% that God is the ultimate authority on Earth and in heaven. No if's ands or buts there. It certainly seems there is a disconnect between authority, which matches His perfect will, and actions on the Earth.

Hammster said:

I’d say there’s a disconnect between God’s authority and how many think He should use it.

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When the reply is only one sentence, you have to guess what the meaning is. Can you please expand the thought and perhaps address the idea I posted.

hislegacy said:

2 Cor 4:3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.​

​

Talking point only - why doesn't God use His authority to stop the god of this age from blinding those who do not believe?

It seems strange that God who is not willing that any should perish is not using His authority to the extent that there are people all around us perishing, not knowing Him.

Don't misinterpret me - I believe 100,000% that God is the ultimate authority on Earth and in heaven. No if's ands or buts there. It certainly seems there is a disconnect between authority, which matches His perfect will, and actions on the Earth.

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God's authority operates through His word, through His plan. And the dictates of His plan include free choice for Man. This will all be worked out, and all that is inconsonant with God's moral image will be rectified.

Hammster said:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:18-20

Hopefully this clears up the confusion that Satan is currently running things.

Click to expand...

Right, the alternative thinking sometimes is that there are two gods, and not just one. For example, Marcion saw the Demiurge as being the god of the OT, who is lower down from the benevolent God revealed in Jesus Christ. As such, OT and NT are presented as antithetical, instead of the work of a single God.

In our day, we do not have the "2 gods" sense in theological circles. But we still have a division imposed between OT and NT in the context of Law and Grace. Clearly, we are not under the OT legal system. But it is not and never has been inconsistent with the God of NT "Grace."

RandyPNW said:

God's authority operates through His word, through His plan. And the dictates of His plan include free choice for Man. This will all be worked out, and all that is inconsonant with God's moral image will be rectified.

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AMEN - good reply.

Also look here:

Jesus gave them authority - God's Authority when combined with man's acting on that Authority effects the kingdom of darkness. Until that authority is utilized, Satan has free reign on the Earth.

People were oppressed by the devil - until Jesus used His Authority (that God has always had).

Hammster said:

You couldn’t figure out why God didn’t do things a certain way since He has all authority. And then said there appears to be a disconnect between His authority and His actions. I’m saying that the disconnect may be between His authority and the way you think it should be used.

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Wouldn't His Authority be used according to His will? Would they not be the same and end in the same results?

Hammster said:

It is used according to His will.

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Agreed.

An we know unequivocally what His will is concerning Salvation - correct

Hammster said:

He will save His people.

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And his people who never accept Christ’s free gift of salvation?

Hammster said:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:18-20

Hopefully this clears up the confusion that Satan is currently running things.

Click to expand...

2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

John 16:11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

1 John 3:8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

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Hopefully this clears up the confusion that God would be running this Crazy Train down here, off the rails, as the Holy Spirit of Christ within the Saints, is the only thing holding the evil back.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Hammster said:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:18-20

Hopefully this clears up the confusion that Satan is currently running things.

Click to expand...

Also, that authority hasn’t established earthly rule. How am I so certain? Because I haven’t been able to wait in line for a long time just to hug Jesus! I’m excited about that. It’s a big deal! It hasn’t happened yet!

God hates the internet, and yes, He Will Destroy it and those who run it;

but not yet He hasn't.

hislegacy said:

healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

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I guess in a way this explains plainly why most of the world remains sick and on the wide path to destruction.

Hammster said:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:18-20

Hopefully this clears up the confusion that Satan is currently running things.

Click to expand...

I'm scared of the evil God is allowing.

It's like watching a trainwreck and being unable to look away...

So next, help with this.. how do we overcome this, and look away?

Is it a sin in and of itself? A failure of faith?

I can't stop being horrified, and I kinda wish I could. I wish I could turn my back, but it's almost too much.

When do we make peace with this? How do we?

Hazelelponi said:

I'm scared of the evil God is allowing.

It's like watching a trainwreck and being unable to look away...

So next, help with this.. how do we overcome this, and look away?

Is it a sin in and of itself? A failure of faith?

I can't stop being horrified, and I kinda wish I could. I wish I could turn my back, but it's almost too much.

When do we make peace with this? How do we?

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Allow Jesus to fight Satan's mass global work. Only God can carry the weight of it all. He hasn't returned for the sake of all that haven't been born and found HIs comforting arms. You, @Hazelelponi are the "BODY of JESUS", as we all are the "Body of Jesus". As surely as The Holy Spirit of Christ Dwells within you, He will move you accordingly, as your burden is "Faith", and His burden is to implicitly move you accordingly.

I don't quote outside scripture. However, Tolkien was indeed a theologian and Christian. He said this, of your words:

“Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love."​