Why did God create Satan?

Reading Time: 7 minutes

@DannyBrownLincs from Twitter asked:

“IF it is all true, then God is responsible for EVERY action that Satan committed. Knowing what he’d do, and creating him anyway?

This is a very honest question @DannyBrownLincs asked and I’m glad that he asked it.

I’ll go the next step farther and ask this question along with @DannyBrownLincs’ question:

Why also did God create angels and people if He knew 1/3 of the angels, Adam & Eve (including you and me) were going to rebel against Him?

First of all, we know from Genesis 1:31 that God created everything to be “very good.” Everything that God made was originally perfect!

Taking it to Extremes

God’s creation of angels and humans included Him giving them free will to choose; free will to even to choose to go against God if they choose to do so. You know how you’ve chosen to do something even when you’ve been told not to do it from someone in authority? I’ve done it and you have too.

You, I’m sure know someone who chooses to take things to extremes. Think of Pol Pot for example. Pol Pot’s actions in Cambodia between 1975 – 1979 resulted in the deaths of over two million people; 25% of the country’s population died from starvation, overwork and executions. Pol Pot went to extremes  to form a Communist peasant farming society.

A better example of extreme is Adolf Hitler. Hitler’s actions between the years of 1938 and 1945 resulted in the deaths of over six million people with what began with a simple boycott of Jewish shops; ended in the gas chambers at Auschwitz as Adolf Hitler and his Nazi followers attempted to exterminate the entire Jewish population of Europe.

God did not create, Satan.

God created Lucifer, as son of the morning (Isaiah 14:12). Unfortunately, Lucifer sinned (went against God) by rebelling against God at some point after the Creation Week (Isaiah 14:12–15). Lucifer sinned when pride overtook him and he fell from perfection (Ezekiel 28:15–17) and thus Lucifer became Satan through his own choice and actions.

When Lucifer chose to sin, he at that time became, Satan. Lucifer’s extreme choice to rebel against God makes Pol Pot’s and Adolf Hitler’s choices dismal in comparison. In fact, when Lucifer sinned, he was cast from heaven (Isaiah 14:12) and started his rampage of annihilation to obliterate mankind.

This would have been after day 7 of creation week because God pronounced everything very good on day 6 (Genesis 1:31) and God sanctified the seventh day. Otherwise, God would have pronounced Satan’s rebellion very good and would have sanctified a day in which a great rebellion occurred; yet throughout Scripture it is made clear, God is absolute that sin is detestable in His eyes.

From studying the Bible, it points to Satan being the first to sin. He sinned before the woman sinned, and before Adam sinned.

Adam and Eve also sinned by rebelling against God (Genesis 3:1–11). They chose to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and as a result, the earth was cursed because of sin (Genesis 3:17–18). Thus from Adam and Eve causing a curse to come upon the earth, we live in a world affected by the consequences of their sin.

Of course, God knew that all this would happen.

Colossian 1:16 tells us that God created all things “through Him and for Him.”

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

So, the answer to @DannyBrownLincs’ question and to my added question is basically that God created Lucifer, the angels that chose to rebel, and people because God wanted to create them.

Why do a husband and wife decide to have children?

After all, the husband and wife must realize the possibility that the children will reject them and their love and may even grow up to be a murder like Hitler and may even reject God and be lost for eternity. Could it be that the husband and wife believe the love they are able to express upon the children, and the love returned by obedient children make it all worthwhile? In a similar way, could it be that God thinks that the 2/3 of the angels who are still holy, and the billions of redeemed people who will worship Him for all eternity are worth the trouble?

Let’s explore this a little further.

Not only did God create all things, but he also gave angels and people the freedom to rebel against Him. And rebel is exactly what Lucifer, the fallen angels, Adam, Eve, and all of us (including me) have done. We each have sinned and rebelled against God, so we (including me) are all guilty.

God is not the author of sin; our desires are. God did not trick or deceive Satan into becoming full of prideful arrogance. Nor does God trick or deceive you and me into rebelling against Him due to our being full of prideful arrogance. God hates prideful arrogance (Proverbs 8:13), and it is not in His character to cause one to become prideful and arrogant. Nor was He the one who deceived Eve. Deception and lies go hand in hand (Psalm 78:36; Proverbs 12:17), yet God does not lie or deceive (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18).

This verse reveals God’s purpose. John 3:16 states that God loves the world and sent His Son to die on the cross, because of this love for us.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:16–19

God knew even before He created them that Adam and Eve’s sin would separate all mankind from Him. He also knew that sin would result in death. God, in His love and mercy, provided a way for people (like you and me) to be reconciled (have a repaired relationship) with Him.

Have you read in the Old Testament about Job?

Job was a man horribly affected by pain, suffering and death. He did not understand God’s reasoning for allowing these things to happen. Job had a lot of questions for God, just like many of us do today. Fortunately, we have the book of Job in the Bible, and can read God’s response. After questioning God and listening to His reply, Job says:

“I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” Job 42:2–3

We (you and me) also need to realize that there are things we do not fully understand. God has a wonderful plan that stretches into eternity, full of things that we “do not know.” It is important to remember that God is in control and that He promises to work everything (even the bad things) together for the good of those who love Him. Sometimes we need to trust Him and walk in faith.

We know that God is not pleased when the wicked (non-believers) die (Ezekiel 33:11), but it is precious in His sight when one of His saints (believers) passes away (Psalm 116:15), and there is joy in the presence of angels when a sinner repents (Luke 15:10). Why? Obviously, God does not want to sentence someone to eternity apart from Him (2 Peter 3:9), but He is also holy and just, so He does. Since God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), perhaps He enjoys (pleasures in) showering His love on His creation. Even if that means some of His creation chooses to not be with Him forever.

We must keep in mind that God created a perfect world and we are the ones who messed it up. So even though God knew Satan and 1/3 of the angels would rebel, and much of mankind would reject His offer of salvation, it is not His fault that they rebelled.

Of course, sin and the broken world we live in are not the end of story.

Let’s not forget that one day soon God will make a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1). There will be no more pain, tears or death (Revelation 21:4). Everyone who has repented and asked Jesus to save them from the penalty of their sins will be with Him in Heaven for all eternity (Revelation 22:1–5)! Are you ready for that day?

Have you accepted Christ’s redeeming work on the cross? It is a free gift!

If you want to receive Christ’s free gift of salvation, the Good News (Gospel) is that all you need to do is to honestly ask God for forgiveness (repent) and place your trust in Christ Jesus as full payment for the debt you owe God for your rebellion against Him.

Resources

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/kw/kids-feedback-lucifer

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab2/satan-and-origin-of-evil

http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/pol-pot.htm

http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/holocaust.htm

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.