Sunday, February 17, 2008

Response: Where Did Evil Come From ?

The Bible teaches about sin entering the world shortly after creation. As a result, this sin impacted humanity for the rest of time. I believe that this sin also impacted the physical earth. You can read the story from the Bible here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202-3;&version=76;

But, let me try to illustrate what I believe happened.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At one time, a very long time ago, there was nothing. There was no shape, no life, no light, nothing. Only God. He began to create the world; earth and sea and sky, moon and stars and sun, fish and birds and animals, plants and trees and grass. He saw that everything He had made was good.

God wanted more than just an art project. He wanted interaction, a relationship. With a special plan in mind, He made humankind (male and female) made in the image of God, Himself! The Bible names them, Adam and Eve. What a wonderful place, a perfect creation, a perfect relationship between God and His creation!

Adam and Eve enjoyed their special Garden. They talked with God and with each other. They enjoyed the animals and the fruits. It was paradise!

Unseen, an intruder slipped in and climbed a tree, watching for an opportunity to ruin this perfect paradise. This serpent was so evil and so jealous. You see, he really wanted to be God. He used to be a leader of God's angels. But all that praise and glory just by-passed him. Lucifer spat as he remembered the beauty that he could never receive, the admiration that he enviously desired, and the devotion that should be his! God had seen his heart that day, and banished him. There were many others that had agreed with Lucifer, and were thrown out of heaven also. But now he had seen a chance to get revenge! If he had calculated correctly, all he had to do was whisper a few words . . . here she comes!

Eve enjoyed these walks with Adam. She loved the fresh air and the peace that emanated from this place. With thanks, she remembered all the great things that God had given them. She remembered that God had told them to eat any fruit they wanted (except for the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, of course). But that was only 1 tree out of so many from which to choose! What a magnificent God to bless them so much!

What was that? Never before had she heard that sound. Where was it coming from? As she looked around, she saw a strange shape in that tree over there--the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. She walked over to look closer. As she did, the serpent (Lucifer) tricked her into eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. She hadn't died like God said, it must be OK after all. Here Adam take a bite, we must have misunderstood God's directions.

But with that one bite--they had disobeyed God's commands. . . Sin entered the world . . . Lucifer laughed as he watched the ripples and realized his success. He had done it! He had destroyed God's perfect creation!

He watched as Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden, separated from God. Lucifer knew that God could not look at sin, and now they had to leave. He called to his demons, Disease and Death. Follow them! He called to his armies of Moral Evil--Go!

He had built these troops for a long time. Now he finally had the victory!

He called to the demons of Storms and Earthquakes--Take your place in the earth and wait! He called to the demons of Fire and Wind--Move! There were so many others ready and waiting. Lucifer called them out to stake his claim on the earth. This precious creation of God's--but now it was his!

Or rather, that's what Lucifer thought . . .

For at the same time that God had seen the sin, He also looked to His Son. . . And They had a plan. . . .

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bible tells about Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12-21. You can read it here,
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2014:12-21;&version=50;



No comments: