Why hasn't God destroyed Satan yet?

[praisehimalleluia]

Why did God put humans right in the middle of his conflict with Satan? One person said it was like a game between God and the devil with man caught right in the center, suffering the consequences. If God doesn't like sin, why didn't he just do away with the devil right away when he sinned?

Satan (or Lucifer, as he was known then) at one time was the covering cherub, one of the angels sitting right over God's throne (Ezekiel 28:14), but later he rebelled. The question then is why does God put up with Satan's continuing evil influences on mankind (Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Job 1-2)?

What do you think?

I personally think that God may also be allowing Satan to operate in order to help us develop holy righteous character more quickly, since Christians have to learn to resist against Satan's influence. Here the analogy would be with weight-training and the concept of resistance, only there's a spiritual principle being applied here: We develop the habits of obeying by our own free choice more solidly and permanently if we have to resist more in order to develop them.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Yahya Snow]

We must remember life is a test.

 

[Shayned30]

Maybe there are still too many people who have not chosen God and He would like them to also hear His Word and follow him that all who believe might not perish (Joh3:16). But I think it's probably part of the reason but also alot more complex than that!

 

[stirthewater]

I think God believes in balance and knows that nothing can exist without its opposite. If there were no evil, how would we distinguish things that are good?

Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

What test could we face without evil? I believe it is part of God's plan.

 

[bluemarkus]

much as i dislike mormon scripture, there are some verses that bring stuff to light that we forget by hearing the same bible quotes all the time. one of them is this:

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

2 Nephi 2:25

 

[Mack7]

You could be right. The true answer can only be revealed by God. Pertaining to the things we cannot explain or fully understand is where you must rely on your faith. Pray, trust in God for your continued deliverance from the hands of the enemy and pray always and often for everyone. We do not have enough earthly years to grasp it all. 70, 80 years is nothing as compared to an eternity with God to have all of your questions answered. This battle has been going on centuries before our existence. Concentrate on what God may want to be doing in your life today, right now according to His will. Remember that God is a Spirit and those that choose to worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth. Go to God with your question if you must really know but go in prayer sincerely, WATCH and expect a sincere answer.

 

[Jeffz]

The important question was asked by Jesus "who do you say I am?" All things were created by Him and for Him. Why has He not destroyed satan yet? because He is not finished with satan yet. By His mercy and love He has given more time to reach those that still have not responded to His love. Could it be that He is waiting for more sons and daughters to come into sonship. The Word tells us that all creation is groaning and waiting in anticipation for those sons and daughters to come unto Him. To be revealed in these end times. Even so 'come quickly Lord Jesus'.

 

[praisehimalleluia]

Yeah Satan is going to be destroyed in the end of times. MEanwhile, we human beings are still being the main prey. We cannot even say God does not understand how it is for us human beings to be devoured by Satan, cause Christ did live here as man, and was resurrected, and He knew our pain the way we feel, live and go on in these worldly troubles. If Christ fought Satan, so can we in His Name.

 

[ooohal9000]

Why did God allow Lucifer to live?

When you were little and you lied or stole Skittles candy from your mom's purse, did she immediately take out a gun and shoot you dead? No, why not? Probably because she loves you. And when you went off into partying and drugs, and flushing people's hamsters down their toilet in your rebellious teenage years, did she come with an AK-47 assault rifle and shoot you dead? No, why not? Probably because she loves you and hopes you will change.

Well in the beginning, Lucifer was a good and righteous person, but eventually iniquity was found in him. Even Lucifer at that time didn't know where sin would take him. Don't you think God took care and time to warn him, to ask him, to reason with him to turn from his way... did he not also do the same for a third of the angels that eventually, along with Lucifer (now Satan), erupted in open rebellion in heaven? God's character is consistent, even when dealing with Lucifer, God is merciful and provides many chances for a lost soul to turn from their wicked ways. Satan accused God of being unfair and unjust, and unloving God. If God was to destroy Lucifer right away, all the hosts of heaven might have thought... well, maybe Lucifer was right in his accusations, resulting in more rebellion and the angels in heaven giving God obedience out of fear, instead of love... "see what God did to Lucifer? I better obey cause I don't want that to happen" type thing. Obedience to God out of fear is not what God really wants... it might be a good start, but nobody wants to be in that kind of relationship for long, not even God I think.

Why does he continue to allow Satan to live?
This great controversy is quickly coming to a close, and sin will be forever destroyed, Satan, the angels and people that follow him. Though years may seem long for us, really, our lives and years is as a vapor, and a thousand years for us may seem a day to God. Now that the entire universe has seen the result of sin... how deep.. how grotesque.. how debasing its qualities are... it will never ever arise again. Furthermore... we... who have actually lived through this nightmare and saved by the blood of Christ will continue to be a witness and a testimony to all the universe of what sin has done to us.... and not only us... but the scars on Jesus' hands and feet will be a perpetual reminder throughout all time and space the result of sin. Satan's time, yours and mine are quickly coming to an end.