Weekly Devotional 3-31-14 Why Didn’t God Start Over?
At creation God created everything, and by His own evaluation it was good, including man. Man was created with a mind and will that was focused on God. He walked and talked with God in the garden in which he had been placed and was given dominion over all creatures of the earth. However, as we know from the record of Genesis 3, Adam in disobedience turned away from worshipping and serving God to a worship of self. God also created the angelic realm in a state of perfection, but Jude 6 and Revelation 12 tells us that many of them left their first estate and became haters of God. Pain, sorrow, and death resulted from these who turned from God, leading some to ask, “Why didn’t God destroy both man and angels and start over again?”
To formulate an answer we must remember humanity is limited in their understanding of all things. In the natural world man’s understanding of things may be ever increasing, but it none-the-less is limited to observation, investigation and information gathered by one’s self, or others. In the spiritual realm it is impossible for the natural man to know the things of God (1st Corinthians 2:14), and is even difficult for the man who has been spiritually reborn. Such a man is able to understand some things about God (1st Corinthians 2:11-16), but only to the extent of what has been revealed by the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote, “9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1st Corinthians 13:9-12).
Clearly we are unable to know all that there is to know about God, or His plan. We do know from what was revealed to the Apostle John; that God will someday create a new heaven and a new earth. We read from Revelation 21:1-4, “1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
It is certain then that in wiping away all tears and sorrow that former things are no longer a part of man’s experience, that the things of this present life are not remembered, at least in a negative way. Sorrow, grief and pain, therefore, are an experience of the present and not an experience of eternity. What a blessing.
Now to the task at hand; why didn’t God start over when both Satan, (including a number of angels) and mankind turned from God to self? Reading on in the Revelation passage we learn that God is preparing a people to occupy the new earth. He is redeeming, regenerating, and sanctifying them in this present life. We read, “5 Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ 6 And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’”
“It is done” certifies that God is presently doing a work on earth among men. He is making citizens of those who turn to Him for forgiveness and new life. He will populate the new earth with these folks. However, those who refuse His call will be cast away for eternity into an everlasting punishment. This was all in the mind of God before He created the world. Revelation 13:8 and 17:8 informs us that the names of those who would come to faith in Him were written down in the book of life before His creative works. Man and the angelic realm were created as eternal beings. They each would (will) live forever, Angels as eternal spirit beings, and man with an eternal spirit (man was created body, soul and spirit). Therefore, God had to do something with them. The fallen angels will be cast into an eternal lake of fire, but God has made it possible for fallen man to be restored. In fact, He became man so that as man He could pay the debt of restoration; the death of the flesh in which He had wrapped Himself, the man Jesus, His only begotten Son. To destroy what He created and start over would forever brand God as a failure by both the angelic realm and man. He could never be a failure. He redeems, regenerates, and conforms man to His likeness demonstrating His love, mercy and grace. All persons could be part of these blessings, if they would. Since they choose otherwise, God purposed the salvation of those who do turn to Him. God the Son paid the price for that salvation, and God the Holy Spirit regenerates them to newness of spiritual life. Remember, God is a God of love and He will provide a new earth where redeemed man will forever be in His presence. For the redeemed this present life will be forgotten, as if it never happened. This is true because He (or she) will enter into the glory of God and live eternally in His presence.
Rather than be blemished by failure, God will forever be worshipped as glorious righteous God. He will be worshipped in eternity not as a God who had to start over, but as the God who accomplishes all His purposes.
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