The classical theodicy riddle goes like this: Since there is evil, God cannot be omnipotent and at the same time kind, for if He were so He would not have allowed evil. So, if He exists, He is either omnipotent, but not kind-hearted, for He does nothing to stop evil; or He is kind-hearted but not omnipotent, for though He wants to stop evil, He is incapable of doing so.
This mystery seems to be a stumbling block that leads many to question whether the God of the Bible does exist, or if He exists, how He can be a loving God, as depicted in the Bible.
The answer to the riddle is simple. The reason most Christians don’t know the answer is because they don’t know the Bible. The majority merely blindly accept what they had been taught. They were taught that God will never be or cannot be the author of evil, and that those who did not believe in Jesus Christ in this life will be tormented forever in the lake of fire in hell.
That is not what Scripture teaches.
God is the Author and Creator of evil.
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things (Isaiah 45:7 – King James Version)
Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil … (Isaiah 31:2 – King James Version))
If there is calamity in a city, will not the LORD have done it? (Amos3:6b)
Everyone will rise from the dead in due course.
… for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice (John 5:28)
But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished (Rev 20:5)
Death will be conquered
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death (1 Cor 15:26)
So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (1 Cor 15:54-55 – King James Version))
Everyone will be reconciled to God.
… that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19)
… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:10-11)
For He [Christ] must reign till He has put all the enemies under His feet (1 Cor 15:25)
Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all (1 Cor 15:28).
God will be all in all. The second word “all” says: no one will be excluded. The first “all” says: God is not only going to be 5% or 10% of a person’s life, but all of his or her life – 100%.
Evil and suffering are only temporary. Even if it lasts millions of years, it will pass. All living beings must first experience evil and suffering, for how can anyone appreciate the good if there has not been experience of the bad things? This is necessary so that in the perfect world to come, God and His Son will receive the sincere spontaneous praise and appreciation that is due to them. The present evil, as bad as it may be, will be insignificant when weighed against the beautiful things ahead.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared withthe glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).
The contrast between what is now the order of the day and what will be, will be so obvious that little explanation or preaching will be needed to convince people and heavenly beings of God’s omnipotence and His kind-heartedness
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!… to whom be glory forever! Amen. (Rom 11:33, 36).
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