Does satan need permission to do evil?

[SHANMAC]

It seems quite clear to me that satan (or, the adversary, for you strict constructionists) is the "prince" of the earth. There are numerous references to this fact throughout the Bible. For example, 1 John 5:19 indicates that satan has power of the whole world; Matthew 4 speaks to satan offering Jesus certain kingdoms and Jesus did not question or rebuke satan's apparent authority over those kingdoms; Rev 12 says satan is thrown to earth to mislead the inhabitants; John 16 speaks to the "prince" of the earth standing condemned, etc.

On the other hand, in Job, I see that satan needs permission from God to do evil against Job. One would think that satan, the one who has power over the earth, would not need permission from God to do evil to one individual.

So, the question is twofold: (1) does satan need permission from God to do evil; and (2) if the answer to that question is "yes," then why did satan need permission from God to do evil on Job?

One obvious response to this question is that we are not God and therefore cannot possibly comprehend why this may be the case. I'm wondering if there are any other reasonable explanations to this question that do not resort to the default "we are not God; therefore..." response.

I've been toiling over that question for some time and would appreciate any feedback you might have.

 

[RomCat]

Nothing happens in creation that God does not will or wills
to permit.
God does NOT will evil but He does will to permit evil.

 

[SHANMAC]

I agree with your answer to question one. However, I'm still toiling over the answer to question two. What are your thoughts on the scripture indicating that satan is the prince of the earth and has "power" over the earth?

I'm guessing the power of which the scriptures speak is not your every day type of power, but rather the power to influence people here on earth as opposed to having such power anywhere else...like, say, the heavens. And, as I think we both agree, God wills to permit satan to have that power. Taking it a step further, my belief is that God wills to permit satan to have that power here on earth for the purpose of free will.

Thought?

 

[McBell]

opcorn:

 

[lockyfan]

I agree with your answer to question one. However, I'm still toiling over the answer to question two. What are your thoughts on the scripture indicating that satan is the prince of the earth and has "power" over the earth?

My thoughts are this. Satan is the ruler of "this system of things" the way the world works now. However his rule is coming to its end.

Jesus referred to him as this. Also if he dd not have power over this world, how could he have been able to offer Jesus the Kingdoms of the earth right after his baptism?

I'm guessing the power of which the scriptures speak is not your every day type of power, but rather the power to influence people here on earth as opposed to having such power anywhere else...like, say, the heavens. And, as I think we both agree, God wills to permit satan to have that power. Taking it a step further, my belief is that God wills to permit satan to have that power here on earth for the purpose of free will.

Thought?

Satan has the power to rule, not for free will, but because of free will. Or Adam and Eve and Satans choices regarding free will. Satan has given a challenge to God saying that he (satan) can rule humans and the earth better without God'help. Gad has had to allow this challenge to play out until its natural end. Meaning satan tries every trick/goevernment type in the book to show he can do things better than God. God knowing that it was not possible but also knowing that not only were the humans at stake but the angels as well, he allowed this to play out, but as I said, it is drawing to its conclusion now.

 

[lockyfan]

It seems quite clear to me that satan (or, the adversary, for you strict constructionists) is the "prince" of the earth. There are numerous references to this fact throughout the Bible. For example, 1 John 5:19 indicates that satan has power of the whole world; Matthew 4 speaks to satan offering Jesus certain kingdoms and Jesus did not question or rebuke satan's apparent authority over those kingdoms; Rev 12 says satan is thrown to earth to mislead the inhabitants; John 16 speaks to the "prince" of the earth standing condemned, etc.

On the other hand, in Job, I see that satan needs permission from God to do evil against Job. One would think that satan, the one who has power over the earth, would not need permission from God to do evil to one individual.

Because satan made a challenge. God has allocated him time and a certain amount of power and freedom to try to prove his challenge successful. It is still God given and God is still the ultimat power in the universe.

So, the question is twofold: (1) does satan need permission from God to do evil; and (2) if the answer to that question is "yes," then why did satan need permission from God to do evil on Job?

One obvious response to this question is that we are not God and therefore cannot possibly comprehend why this may be the case. I'm wondering if there are any other reasonable explanations to this question that do not resort to the default "we are not God; therefore..." response.

I've been toiling over that question for some time and would appreciate any feedback you might have.[/quote]

Satan is evil for the sake of being evil. He has allowed himself to get like that over many many years. However God has also got the supreme authority in the universe and is just itching to right the world of its wrongs, he just has to wait for his appointed day to do this, hich only he knows, but we can discern form scriptures i the bible (matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, 2Tim 3:1-5, Revelation)

 

[lockyfan]

Nothing happens in creation that God does not will or wills
to permit.
God does NOT will evil but He does will to permit evil.

God tolerates it for now, as a learning curve for us and the angels.

if you look at bible timeline humans have only been on the earth for 6000-7000 years. that is a very small time when you look at forever.