Teejay
Wouldn't THAT explain "god's" silence in all of this human suffering, especially in light of the fact that god is supposedly so loving and so concerned for humans? Why such a lengthy record of inattention and seeming indifference?
I think you are failing to take into consideration the more important issues, TJ. We do well, if we want to understand why it is taking so long for God to straighten things out, to consider the enormous problem that was created when members of BOTH the angelic realm and the earthly realm of God's intelligent creation called into question their Creator's right to govern the universe. As is generally the case, the bigger the problem the greater the amount of time that is required to overcome that problem.
We must remember that unless it has been determined/proven beyond any doubt that God’s way is unquestionably best the universe will not be able to enjoy the peace, security, and happiness that God originally intended. Be reminded that a certain one of the angels, namely Satan, an angel that had lived for a very, very long time, decided to call into question God’s way of running His universe. Additionally, a huge number of other angels took up Satan's side of the issue, apparently sometime after Satan had succeeded in getting Eve to succumb to his temptation so that she and Adam joined in the rebellion as well. That was no small problem introduced into the picture of things therefore.
Try to imagine the entire material universe one day filled with people. With every planet that swings around each and every sun (star) of each and every galaxy teeming with people, can you imagine the chaos that would prevail if there weren’t universal respect for God’s laws. And so, until the issue as to whether or not God’s way is right has been properly and undisputedly settled the welfare of the entire universe remains threatened ... both the spiritual realm and the physical realm.
As things stand right now, both the present heavens (spiritual creation) and earth (physical creation) have been corrupted. In other words they are not the clean, unspoiled realms for the angels and mankind that God first created. Remember that after He had finished with everything, He said that it was “good”. Hence there is a need to restore both realms back to their original state. When this has been accomplished then it can be said that there is “a new heavens and a new earth”. Once God’s right to rule has been settled, He will never again need to tolerate His way being called into question throughout all eternity.
Really, although it's not the easiest thing to appreciate, time has been on the side of those (both men and angels) who want to live forever in a peaceful, secure universe. I don’t know about you, but I can afford to wait for as long as it takes.
Friday
