Question 1 -
Why did God give us free will so that we can make choices (because we do not want to be robots) yet, when the earth & heavens are destroyed, and those who will go on to live with Him in heaven will be back to square one (in the beginning). Won't heaven be a place where we all worship God, no evil thoughts will come to mind, it will all be for His praise & glory? Then why would He create the heavens & earth, man, free will in the first place if we will be back to the Alpha (square one) some day?
I've wondered the same thing.. Here's my shot at it in a roundabout way.. First, it seems very peculiar to me the way our universe is set up - especially with regards to our physical laws. Were gravity the slightest bit stronger stars would burn out quicker than planets could form - we would not exist. Were it the slightest bit weaker gases would not compact in on themselves in order to create stars, thus planets would have no heat in which to sustain life - we would not exist. The same goes with our nuclear laws and laws of thermodynamics - the so-called "Fine Tuning" of the universe - you may have already heard of all this already..
In any case though, maybe a physical universe - the one we know as our current reality - is the only type of universe in which creatures can have true, free will? That's my thought; of course it's speculation. But this subtly seems to be scripture's answer. It seems to explain that the next existence we enter into is somehow different; I take this to mean that natural laws are different in this universe. Scripture also seems to hint at the idea that our free will is somehow modified (though not necessarily removed) in this next universe. The creatures that want to exist eternally with God make that choice in universe #1, then move on to their desired door #2 - where the idea of free will as we know it is not as necessary anymore. How else would God know who to allow into His presence without this testing of our hearts?
In any case though, maybe a physical universe - the one we know as our current reality - is the only type of universe in which creatures can have true, free will? That's my thought; of course it's speculation. But this subtly seems to be scripture's answer. It seems to explain that the next existence we enter into is somehow different; I take this to mean that natural laws are different in this universe. Scripture also seems to hint at the idea that our free will is somehow modified (though not necessarily removed) in this next universe. The creatures that want to exist eternally with God make that choice in universe #1, then move on to their desired door #2 - where the idea of free will as we know it is not as necessary anymore. How else would God know who to allow into His presence without this testing of our hearts?
Question 2 -
If heaven is a place of purity (no unclean thoughts, words, or actions) how could Lucifer (if he was indeed an angel in heaven) ever plot to pull one over on God?
Awesome question.. There are many things regarding Satan and God that I struggle with to be honest. I think in your question though, we could probably both agree that the creator of our universe cannot be out-done. Scripture would answer your question with something that has a little to do with your previous question - that God allows Satan to exist purely for His own purposes.. To refine his creation through testing, and to weed out unbelievers from true believers in preparation for the next universe.
Awesome question.. There are many things regarding Satan and God that I struggle with to be honest. I think in your question though, we could probably both agree that the creator of our universe cannot be out-done. Scripture would answer your question with something that has a little to do with your previous question - that God allows Satan to exist purely for His own purposes.. To refine his creation through testing, and to weed out unbelievers from true believers in preparation for the next universe.
Question 3 -
In the ten commandments God states that we should have no other gods before us because HE IS A JEALOUS GOD...yet, there are passages in the Bible that states He is a jealous God...Jealousy is an unhealthy emotion...one that seems very human...how could this be?
Those verses describing God as a "jealous God" bothered me plenty the first time I read them.. It does seem very human, not divine. The word "jealous" we've come to know generally only has 1 connotation - a negative one. Check out 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul makes it clear that there is such a thing as a "godly jealousy" - something basically foreign to us English speakers. The original world in which these were written had other uses for "jealous" than just negative. An example I've seen supposes a husband seeing another man flirting with his wife. He has a right to be jealous - simply in that the proper relationship belongs only with the husband and wife. And in fact, God is only "jealous" in regards to idolatry - something to which God literally compares to committing adultery.
Check out this article for a little more on it: http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/jealous_god.html
Final Comment -
You see, I beleive in God,Jesus, and I am seeking to know just how much of the "HOLY"Bible was indeed God-inspired or human-interpreted. I don't want to ever feel as though I'm going against God's word yet some of the things I read are contradicting.
In my opinion, this is the only way to develop a true faith - especially one that can be defended. Asking tough questions, and more importantly, seeking answers to them, can only result in something pure and true. You are also doing it in a very respectful way. Answers are out there. I hope, whoever you are, that you continue seeking. And feel free to drop by whenever!
Check out this article for a little more on it: http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/jealous_god.html
Final Comment -
You see, I beleive in God,Jesus, and I am seeking to know just how much of the "HOLY"Bible was indeed God-inspired or human-interpreted. I don't want to ever feel as though I'm going against God's word yet some of the things I read are contradicting.
In my opinion, this is the only way to develop a true faith - especially one that can be defended. Asking tough questions, and more importantly, seeking answers to them, can only result in something pure and true. You are also doing it in a very respectful way. Answers are out there. I hope, whoever you are, that you continue seeking. And feel free to drop by whenever!
