Why did God not just destroy the rebels in Eden?

Question

Including the fallen Angel who became Satan the Devil.

Answer 1

Issues were raised and had to be settled.
Satan said God is a liar.
If God did away with him immediately, wouldn't the angels and descendants of Adam think maybe Satan was right and God was just trying to shut him up?
Another issue (from Job) is Satan said no human would stay loyal to God if they had to go through rough times.
The classic showdown was with Jesus.
It takes time to settle such issues ....ask any lawyer or judge.

Answer 2

Believe it or not, what happened in the Garden of Eden was forseen and all part of His plan. He knew that Adam and Eve would eventually eat of the forbidden fruit. He knew that Lucifer would tempt them to do just exactly that. Nevertheless, He gave Adam and Eve the choice with a consequence built into that choice. If they ate, they would become mortal and suffer death. They were cast out of God's presence, being separated from God and thus a spiritual death. They also suffered physical death after the day of their life was over. That was all planned. God needed Satan to provide opposition to all of us so that we could make choices throughout our lives between good and evil. Without the opposition, there would be no real choices to be made. We cannot exercise our agency unless we have something to choose from, thus Lucifer being cast out into the earth was also part of the plan.
Starting over with new people would not have made any difference.

Answer 3

Because the rebels raised the question of Jehovah's RIGHT TO RULE HIS CREATIONS. His sense of justice and love kicked in. To destroy them meant destroy us as well as we are their descendents. He did not want to do that.

He has allowed time for man to prove he cannot rule himself and needs God. Also that there are humans who worship Jehovah out of love and not just what they can get out of Him.

By the way, Satan is not immortal. He can and will die by God's hand.

Jehovah's wishes will be accomplished. Eden's original purpose for perfect humans to populate and fill out that Eden over the entire earth will be done. That is what Revelations is all about. That is the message of God's Kingdom that Jesus and followers proclaim.

Answer 4

He did. Man lost Paradise and his relationship with God until the Messiah came and became the 'second Adam'

Lucifer as well. He was the primary right hand of God until he rebelled and lost heaven

Physical death is not the worst punishment in life.

Answer 5

There is free will- I know you hear that over and over- but it is true- if God had destroyed Adam and Eve, He would have to destroy us too- because we all choose to rebel against God- God loved us SO much though- that He sent His son to die for our rebellion and restore the relationship that God desired to have with His creation.

Answer 6

God didn't destroy Adam, Eva, and Satan because God made all His creatures with the gift of free will. God didn't want His creation to follow Him because they have to. He wants them to obey Him because they want to. So when they disobeyed Him He made them live with the consequences of their sins. ( being kicked out of the garden, death, etc)

Answer 7

God gave us a free will.
There will always be people who rebel against God.

That is why God made provision for us to be saved through Jesus.

Answer 8

As a Christian, we believe that God has reasons for everything to happen. God loves Adam and Eve. On earth, it is just tests for us... You should ask God!

Answer 9

There will always be rebels, you can't just destroy them all

Answer 10

You're right! How could I have been so blind?! This question has made me realize that God doesn't exist!