Why didn't God destroy Satan when he rebelled against him?

[Christ4ever777]

??

[old_andy]

God vs. Satan - if God is all-powerful, why does He not just kill Satan?

God vs. Satan

Question: "God vs. Satan - if God is all-powerful, why does He not just kill Satan?"

Answer: One of the mysteries of the Christian life is why God didn’t just destroy Satan immediately after he sinned. We know that God will one day defeat Satan once and for all by throwing him into the Lake of Fire where he will be tortured day and night forever (Revelation 20:10), but sometimes we wonder why God has not destroyed Satan already. Perhaps we will never know God’s reasoning in this particular situation, but we do know certain things about Him.

First, we know He is absolutely sovereign over all creation, and this includes Satan, who is “on a very short leash.” Certainly, Satan and his demons wreak havoc in the world, but they are only allowed to go so far and no farther. We also know that God has planned everything from the beginning of time to the end. Nothing can thwart His plans, and things are proceeding exactly on schedule. “The LORD of hosts has sworn: ‘As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand’” (Isaiah 14:24).

Second, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Whatever God has planned for Satan, that plan will be the best one possible, resulting in God’s perfect wrath and justice being satisfied and His perfect righteousness being glorified. Those who love Him and who wait for His plan to be fulfilled will be thrilled to be part of that plan and will praise and glorify Him as they see it unfold.

Third, we know that calling into question God’s plan and its timing is to call into question God Himself, His judgment, His character and His very nature. It is not wise to question His right to do exactly as He pleases. The psalmist tells us, “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). Whatever plan comes from the mind of the Almighty is the best plan possible. It is true that we can’t expect to understand that mind perfectly, as He reminds us: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Nevertheless, our responsibility to God is to obey Him, to trust Him, and to submit to His will, whether we understand it or not. In the case of His timing for Satan’s demise, it has to be the best possible plan because it is God’s plan.


http://www.gotquestions.org/God-vs-Satan.html

[Buzzardhut]

??

Because God does not annihilate, satan is immortal.

[EarsToHear]

The face of God is both mercy and righteous judgment. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Satan and the other fallen angels can't die, so he and the others must be judged for their sins. Hell was prepared for the the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41) to separate them from God forever--who they hate. Satan and his legions will get what they want, so in a sense, you might call that mercy.

[Pistos]

We, including you, wouldn't be here if He had.

There'd be no Bride, no OT saints, no Trib saints, no 1000 year reign.

[Praying]

I'm tired of this constant battle with evil influences. I am ready for Jesus to defeat our enemy once and for all. I just wanna go home now.

[Timothy Long]

??

God is patient, waiting for all to come to repentance. The original rebel could have been destroyed, but he is the destroyer. God could have zapped him immediately, but if you follow the chronology of the Bible and it's teachings (and the happenings of tradition in the world), it is obvious that God is above all, like a manager, even of evil. He is using evil to destroy itself. Very similar to providing confusion to the enemy of king Jehosaphat. Slow. God's wrath rules!

[steinhatchee]

As for God , time matters not . He could have destroyed Satan immediately , or just not have created Lucifer at all . Or , He could wait a million years to bring down judgement on Satan . God is not bound by time . Everything we can imagine is in some way affected by time , that's all we know . But God , ... He is the beginning and the end , He is eternal . As far as He is concerned , the coming judgement is a done deal !

Isaiah 53:5-But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.


Isaiah speaks of Jesus' work on the cross as if it were in the past tense , it was as good as if it had already been done . Why was Jesus not sent into the world until 1000's of years after the fall of man ? Through all of history we see God's hand at work . We have been able to learn of God's omnipotence , love , forgiveness , longsuffering , grace , mercy , providence , etc . , .... all because Satan rebelled . God turned Satan's actions into a means of showing how great and awesome HE (Jehovah God ) really is !!! Satan will still suffer the consequences for his rebellion . But , we have learned first-hand what a great God we serve ! He will reward those who love Him and serve Him , which will diminish any suffering we experience here in this sinful world . Can you imagine how furious that makes Satan , ... that he 'contributed' to the glory and honor of God !?!

[IamPJ]

Can you imagine how furious that makes Satan , ... that he 'contributed' to the glory and honor of God !?!

Amazing!!!!

[antitox]

God didn't destroy Satan when he rebelled because it was all part of the plan. The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world because everything that was to happen was known beforehand.

Satan, in reality, is really just causing all prophecy to fall into place as planned. You know that before even Satan was created that God full well knew he was going to rebel. So why did he go ahead and create him anyway? God, knowing full well that man was going to rebel created him anyway too.

The point is that the "Earth Project" is moving along just as expected and that God is truly in control.

[Rei]

Without reading anyone else's posts (I'll do that now), if someone were to ask me this, I would say: Because God is showing His character. He is Almighty God! He tells us that He is a certain way. But how do we know He is Who He says He is? How do we know the Personality He reveals to us is truly His personality, or is God a cruel cosmic liar? God PROVES His personality and His love repeatedly by His gift of free will. He LET Satan rebel. He LET man choose something that wasn't Him. He died on the cross - willingly. He displays free will to show that He IS Who He says He is and He MEANS what He says.

[Mitsy]

I'm tired of this constant battle with evil influences. I am ready for Jesus to defeat our enemy once and for all. I just wanna go home now.

I agree. I wanna go to be with Jesus ASAP.