THEODICY: WHY GOD ALLOWS EVIL Robby Lashua DSCC Oasis Class 3/2/14

WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL?

Why God Allows Evil 1.To teach us that sin is dumb, that He is trustworthy, and that He is not holding out on us.

Why God Allows Evil “As for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols.” –Ezekiel 20:39

Why God Allows Evil 2. It reveals the greatness of our salvation. “We must contemplate men in sin until we are horrified, until we are alarmed, until we are desperate about them, until we pray for them, until having realized the marvel of our own deliverance from that terrible state, we are lost in a sense of wonder, love and praise.” – D. Martyn Loyd-Jones

Why God Allows Evil 3. To show the cosmos He is just and good. “Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life.” -1 Corinthians 6:3

Why God Allows Evil 4. To Reveal Himself to Us If evil did not exist, we could not know: mercy, forgiveness, grace, heroic acts, empathy, etc…

FUTURE GLORY

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” What awaits us in eternity?

John 17:3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” There is potential through trials and evil for us to know God in a deeper way.

James 1:2-4 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Soul Building God is developing our capacity to enjoy Him.

REWARDS

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The Bema “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” -2 Cor. 5:10

The Bema

The Crown of Life “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’” –Revelation 2:9-11

The Crown of Glory “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” – 1 Peter 5:1-4

The Crown of Righteousness “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:6-8

The Crown of Righteousness “It is a crown of approval. Righteousness in this passage should be understood as upright behavior. It is a crown of vindication, a crown which says, ‘Paul, you have lived well.’” –Joseph Dillow Final Destiny

Joint Rulership with Christ “He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS ; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” –Rev. 2:26-29

Joint Rulership with Christ “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” -Revelation 3:21

Joint Rulership with Christ “A command that everyone keeps is superfluous, and a reward that everyone receives for virtue that everyone has is nonsense.” –William J. Fuller

A New Name “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’” –Revelation 2:17

Rewards Greater Intimacy with God Eternal Honor Reigning and Serving with Christ