2007-09-10 03:41:38 · 6 answers · asked by Meat Bot 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ahoymty: Well, then God is directing Satan's actions and is therfore evil.
2007-09-10 03:47:27 · update #1
Good Q! There's reason to believe that free will in perfect creatures has a certain 'default' that changes once sin is freely commited. So the 'default' free will of a sinner changes and has self-imposed restrictions. That means, for example, that all humans are 'born in sin' (to use biblical language - no intrinsic reference to fornication or adultery, however). It just means that the creature born WILL sin, no matter how hard s/he tries not to. All decisions made are tained with this sin factor, so that nobody can freely choose not to sin. That's why God devised a system of pardon for those recognising their inability to meet his perfect standards.
However, Satan has been choosing to sin for so long (and showing no signs of repentance) that he has passed beyond all chance of so doing. The Bible calls that 'hardening his heart'. Once a 'heart' becomes sufficiently hardened against God, it will never change. (Hence OT talk of Pharaoh's heart being incorrigibly hardened.) Choosing to defy God seems to be in direct proportion to the extent of one's free will. Discuss?
2007-09-10 04:01:18 · answer #1 · answered by Annsan_In_Him 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question...
First off, the information revealed in Revelations is only ONE POSSIBILITY for the Future; NOT set in stone. In fact, it was really meant to be taken in historical context of the time it was written, not applied in the manner we often see it exploited as.
I've actually wondered IF it would be possible for Satan to be saved, to be converted back to Goodness. What would it take to convince him that the only way for him to survive would be to admit he was wrong, and ask forgiveness?
I think the only way it would even be remotely possible would be if WE Humans finally decided to eradicate Evil. In some ways, I feel that WE are the ones who perpetuate Evil and, therefore, Satan's existence and power, even moreso than "the Devil made me do it" type of thinking. Yes, Satan tempts us; but WE are the ones who ultimately make the decision whether to sin or not; it is our Free Will, and our inability to choose correctly, that allows Satan to retain so much power.
Thus, I think that if we Humans could get our act together, and finally stop hurting each other, that would be a huge step in the right direction. Then, if that happened, Satan would be faced with the prospect that NO ONE was listening to him anymore. And if no one was responding to him and his temptations, all of a sudden he'd be scrambling.
THEN, if posed with the question "Will you continue to defy GOD, or will you turn away from your fallen nature, admit that you are to be subservient to HIM alone, and rejoin his company?", I do wonder what he would say? Would his pride prevent him from rejoining the legions of Heaven? Perhaps; but I still fantasize about bringing him back to what he was meant to be: one of God's most powerful and loyal Angels.
Hey, I can dream, right??
Peace.
ETA: met bot, it is not God directing Satan at all. It is the Free Will that God gifted US HUMANS with that is responsible for Satan being able to exist and have power. Free Will, meant as a gift from God, is why we have Evil at all; Satan just knew how to exploit it to bring himself so much power.
2007-09-10 11:00:35 · answer #2 · answered by rose-dancer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being good is not the criteria, being wash in the blood of Jesus is whats called for to be redeemed. Satan rebelled because he would not accept Jesus. Therefore, yes revelations would still happen because becoming good isn't good enough.
2007-09-10 11:55:48 · answer #3 · answered by Steel Rain 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If Satan did, probably not, but he is too much like most today, far too proud to admit that God is supream, thats what got him in truble the first time. But then again, Jesus did not die to make a way for him, but for man, so even then he might not have another chance. But you do, what you do it up to you and you only.
2007-09-10 10:57:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
ACTUALLY THE FUTURE HAS BEEN TOLD. THE DEVIL WILL NOT DECIDE TO BE GOOD AND REVELATIONS WILL STILL HAPPEN.
2007-09-10 10:46:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know.
but he has lots of souls in hell already.
I dont think he would change his mind.
2007-09-10 10:46:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋