Good and Evil

Introduction

“And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:9) KJV

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) KJV 

In reading the above scriptures from the book of Genesis we may be inclined to think that this was the beginning of “Good and Evil”. Those of us who are more mature and savvy in Biblical teaching quickly realize that evil existed before this in heaven at the fall of Lucifer.

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isiah 14:12-15) KJV

Here we read of Lucifer’s fall. Evil had entered into God’s Kingdom. Then, quickly, Evil was disposed of from the courts of Heaven. Yet, some angels continued to fall. Yes, evil existed in Heaven.

“In the same way, there were heavenly messengers in rebellion who went outside their rightful domain of authority and abandoned their appointed realms. God bound them in everlasting chains and is keeping them in the dark abyss of the netherworld until the judgment of the great day.” (Jude 1:6) TPT

These interesting reads pose several questions which I will try to answer while introducing more questions as food for the Biblical-curious students.

Questions

Just What Does the Bible Say About Good and Evil

“Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) TPT

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isiah 50:20) ESV

If you do not know God’s Word you will call evil good and good evil often and will not even know it.

“As Jesus started on his way, a man came running up to him. Kneeling down in front of him, he cried out, “Good Teacher, what one thing am I required to do to gain eternal life?” Jesus responded, “Why do you call me good? Only God is truly good. You already know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give a false testimony, do not cheat, and honor your father and mother.’” The man said to Jesus, “Teacher, I have carefully obeyed these laws since my youth.” Jesus fixed his gaze upon the man, with tender love, and said to him, “Yet there is still one thing in you lacking. Go, sell (Abandon) all that you have, and give the money to the poor. Then all of your treasure will be in heaven. After you’ve done this, come back and walk with me.” Completely shocked by Jesus’ answer, he turned and walked away very sad, for he was extremely rich.”  (Mark 10:17-22) TPT

This is being “Good”. Can we do it? Jesus spoke wisdom to this specific rich man mentioned above. Most of us are not that rich. We don’t have that much to sell so where do we stand? The answer still resides in the word Abandonment. Let me paraphrase Jesus’ underlined Word above that will have meaning for us. Abandon all your desires and control and let Him give you desires that will accumulate treasures in Heaven and, let Him have control of all things.  To read my paper on Abandonment click here.

Where Did Knowledge Begin

What is often referred to as the “Tree of Knowledge” is not a tree of Knowledge but the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil”. Knowledge existed in Heaven and on Earth before the fall. On earth, Adam is often spoken of as being a genus. He certainly knew many things. After all, he named all the creatures that God created. That was quite a task. We don’t know how long it may have taken him. We often think of Genesis 1:27, “…so God created man in His image…” to the fall of Adam starting at Genesis 3:1, as being only a short time but in fact, it may have covered hundreds of years. Maybe even thousands. We just don’t know and should not presume.

Now there is a knowledge of “Good and Evil” in Heaven also. After all, if Lucifer said, “…I will be like the Most High”, he must have had an awareness of “Self” and thereby evil entered. We also know from Jude 1:6, mentioned above, that some angels rebelled.

All in all, there was Evil in Heaven and the angels of God were called to task for their rebellion. They were not even allowed to repent. (To read more about this you must read the book of Enoch.) Probably because they were created and allowed to exist in the heavens in the presence of Almighty God, and then fell. Not like us who are created outside the Heavenly realm (sometimes in sin) and, have to live outside His realm, outside God’s presence, yet chosen by our “Free Will” to walk His Way, repenting of our fallen evil ways, and confessing fealty to Him. By this confession and submission, we are welcomed into His presence for eternity. Such is the consequence of being created evil (Adam’s inheritance) and becoming good as opposed to being created good, as the Angels were, and, falling from God’s grace as Lucifer and his angels.

How Did We Come This Far

The history of what happened from the fall until now is recorded in the Bible. After Adam, God chose a people from which a Redeemer would emerge. This Redeemer would usher in the beginning of circumstances that would restore Adam’s fallen state to one of life in a new Heaven and on the new Earth. In between the pages we read of sin, forgiveness, hate, and love which is dominating mankind’s existence to this day. We also read that the end of all this is near. Jesus come quickly.

Until His Return What Can We Do

“Repent and be saved” the “Good Book” says. Then walk in obedience, abandoning all worldly things and thoughts about self. The walk is hard. Many times you will encounter circumstances where you may not know what is right or wrong. In those circumstances, you must make a choice. Most people choose the path of least resistance and feel good about it. However, I recommend that if you are uncertain of what you should do, always give God the benefit of the doubt. If the choice you need to make is about “self”, it may be wise to make another choice and abandon “self”. This requires much discipline a trait not often seen today.

Will Evil Ever End

After what we call the rapture and all the dead and living followers of Christ are taken up to heaven we will still have evil on the earth?

Yes. This evil is clearly expressed in the tribulation. This will be the time of Salvation for Israel. Evil will still exist.

When Christ returns and reigns over the earth for one thousand years, we will still have evil on the earth?

At the beginning of the millennial reign those who survived the tribulation will live under the reign of Christ. They will have children who still have the seed of rebellion in them planted by Adam. These children will still have to choose to follow Christ or not just as we did.

“After the thousand years are over, Satan will be let loose from his prison and will go out and deceive the nations of the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog. He will bring them together for battle, and they will be as numerous as grains of sand on the seashore. and will go out and deceive the nations of the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog. He will bring them together for battle, and they will be as numerous as grains of sand on the seashore. 

“They spread out over the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s holy believers and the beloved city.” (Revelation 20:7, 9a) TPT

Evil will still exist.

Then what?

“…But fire came down from heaven and completely destroyed them.” (Revelation 20:9b)

“And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people:” (Isiah 2:4a) KJV

Now, Is Evil Destroyed Forever?

When we read Revelation 21: 1-4 it appears as though that may be true.

“Then in a vision, I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, descending out of the heavenly realm from the presence of God, like a pleasing bride that had been prepared for her husband, adorned for her wedding. And I heard a thunderous voice from the throne, saying: “Look! God’s tabernacle is with human beings. And from now on he will tabernacle with them as their God. Now God himself will have his home with them—‘God-with-them’ will be their God! He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and eliminate death entirely. No one will mourn or weep any longer. The pain of wounds will no longer exist, for the old order has ceased.” 

However, don’t be misled into thinking we know everything.

Concerning the New Jerusalem the Bible says this in Revelation: 21:27 TPT

“Evil will not enter (the New Jerusalem), nor anyone who does what is abhorrent or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Book of Life of the Lamb.” 

This suggests two things:

1. Evil will not enter the New Jerusalem and,

2. Some are “abhorrent” and “deceitful”.

Ruling and Reigning

We will be ruling and reigning with Christ during His 1000-year reign and after that, in His Kingdom forever.

“Don’t you realize that we, the holy ones, will judge the universe?” (1 Corinthians 6:2) TPT

“For surely you know that we will one day judge angels…” (1 Corinthians 6:3) TPT

“If we are joined with him in his sufferings, then we will reign together with him in his triumph…” (2 Timothy 2:12) TPT

“And they will reign as kings forever and ever! “(Revelation 22:5) TPT

“And God-Enthroned spoke to me and said, “Consider this! I am making everything to be new and fresh.” (Revelation 21:5a) TPT

If we are to rule and reign with Him who or what do we rule and reign over? If we rule or if we indeed are to reign we must rule and reign over something or someone. If we rule we judge and if we judge it must be over good and evil. If my premise is right evil will continue in Heaven or someplace where we rule. Good and Evil will continue to exist in eternity.

Free Will

We all have what we call “Free Will”. This is what allows us to love God of our own accord and not be forced. The Angels have “Free Will” as we see in the Scriptures above.  What good is love if we are forced to love? Without “Free Will”, there is no love. Free Will will always exist and as long as “free will” exists we will have evil.

Answers to many of our questions remain in God’s hands until we are with Him. but remember, God is God, He is not human. He created humans. Never lower God to our level. We are made in His image but that is probably by the fact that He is a triune God and we are a triune man. To read more about this read my paper on The Mystery of the Trinity Revealed. Click here.

Conclusion

I love to read fantasy, science fiction, and books of international intrigue like Tom Clancy. But the Holy Bible is by far the greatest book I have ever read. It defines Good and Evil in a way I never can.  I’ve read it many times from cover to cover and continue to read it discovering a fantastic revelation that “blows my mind”. Unlike fiction or nonfiction, in which the writers often pen what they regard as “poetic licensee”, the Bible continuously reveals truths. Every time I read it, it is like reading a new book.  It keeps on giving into my life and not just this life but my eternal life.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) ESV

Enough Said

“Thy Words were found, and I did eat them, and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16)