Recently, I received these questions from a visitor to my website: "Why didn't God just create us perfect to begin with? And how does a perfect God create imperfect beings? At the end of time, He will make us all perfect beings - those that have accepted him - so why not just do this to begin with ...?" There is a lot of thinking behind these questions.
When God calls me to stand before Him, the forthcoming material ... may not. But, then again ... it might.
The Perfect God
The Bible declares we have a perfect Creator (Deut 32:4, Mt 5:48, and Heb 7:28). When He was by Himself, sin did not exist. "In Him there is no sin" (1Jn 3:5). This "Being" is beyond anything we can fathom. At some point, He decided to create morally sentient beings - and reveal things about Himself to those creatures. Now, let me ask you some questions. If all those creatures were perfect for eternity, how well would God actually be known? For example, we know from the Bible that God can be angered. If all was perfect around Him forever, how would that ever be exposed? How could His longsuffering, patience, empathy, mercy or justice ever be known? You already know the answer. These traits would be hidden forever.
I believe God decided to reveal aspects of His character that would only come out if there were morally accountable beings in rebellion to Him. In that setting, many complexities of his character - some subtle and some not so subtle - would be revealed for all to see.
Created Innocent ... and with the capacity to sin.
God created two orders of beings with the capacity to sin - angels and man. Had they been created perfect, they would never have sinned. They were created innocent - and then sinned. Most believe this passage refers to Satan: "You were in Eden, the Garden of God ... You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created - until unrighteousness was found in you ... You were internally filled with violence and you sinned ... Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty (Ezek 28:13, 15-17). "You said in your heart ... 'I will raise my throne above the stars of God ... I will make myself like the Most High'" (Isa 14:13,14). Thus, sin number one. It did not surprise God. He declares He knows "the end from the beginning" (Isa 41:21-23, 42:9, 44:6-8, 45:21, Rev 1:8, 22:13).
Adam was created in God's image (Gen 1:26,27). Initially, he was free of sin. But, Satan was given the opportunity to interact with an innocent Adam and Eve in the Garden. Had they been perfect, Satan's ploy would have failed. But, the fallen angel prevailed. With Adam's rebellion, monumental changes were ushered into this world. Here are a couple. God decided that Adam's "gift" to billions of descendants would be ... to inherit a sin nature. But, there was another "gain." Satan became "the god of this world" (2Cor 4:4). And, he brought his legions.
God allowed these disasters in both orders, but is Himself innocent of wrongdoing. "God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lusts" (Ja 1:13-15). Every sinful creature will acknowledge this at The Judgment - "even he who did not keep his soul alive" (Ps 22:29 and Isa 45:23,24). Our perfect Creator is going to come away from this clean.
More On The Angels
Many believe a third of the angels were infected by sin. The dragon of Revelation 12 is identified as Satan and "his tail swept away a third of heaven" - a third of the angels joined his rebellion (Rev 12:3-9). My guess is that God created a finite number of angels and they do not reproduce (Mt 22:30).
We may find that all the angels could have rebelled, but only some did. If that is correct, we may find that God confirmed the uninfected angels - in righteousness - somewhere along the way. On the other hand, Michael, Gabriel and the rest, may have been locked in as righteous from the start as "His chosen angels" (1Tim 5:21). But whatever the case, I believe the angels "who kept their place" credit God for that - or else they too would have gone Satan's way. I do not think they see themselves as "superior" angels (See Jude 9). Do you think they trust themselves - even now - to keep themselves from ever sinning - even once - for all eternity? But my point here - I think Satan's angelic ranks has hit its limit. There will be no increase.
God's Opportunity
With this setting and reality, God made some determinations. Since He is still the ultimate Ruler, He can impose His will - at will. "Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth ..." (Ps 135:6). For starters, it appears the fallen angels are so heavily accountable that no remedy for their rebellion will ever be extended. But, with man, God decided to mount a "rescue operation." But how could He righteously redeem man without violating His own standards of justice? How could He be active in this trough ... remain unsullied ... and still dominantly impose His will? These are "things into which angels long to look" (1Pet 1:12).
God has revealed a multitude of complexities - about Himself - in this scenario. But, some of these "scenes" are one time events. For instance, I do not think He will ever again enter one of His created orders - and allow them to murder Him. That is who Jesus is - and exactly what He did. Through that death, God could extend mercy - with justice being met. He requires life for sin - and when He gave His own (that had no guilt of sin upon it), He could apply it against my guilt. That is why I say, "Jesus died for me." He died to pay for my sins. This is an act of undeserved - yet needed - mercy. The act of the cross is laced with inexhaustible depths of wisdom, compassion, righteousness, justice and power that I believe will be on open display for eternity. But the act itself will be a once in eternity event.
This fallen creation offers many opportunities for God to expose some things. For example, as "the god of this world" how did Satan's rule go? Maybe this fallen age will stand as an eternal demonstration (and warning) of what kind of rule comes from a creature who wants to be God. And look at the children he helped produce ... us! Jesus told the Pharisees their father was the devil (Jn 8:44). Moral creatures operating outside the moral jurisdiction of the living God - create an age of injustice, oppression and death.
"I Don't Like This! I Never Asked to be Born!"
Well, I'm not so thrilled either. But, if my suspicions are accurate, can you stop God? His only restriction is that He cannot, and will not, violate His moral character. " ... He does according to His will in the host of heaven (angels) and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His Hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" (Dan 4:35).
"For the Lord of Hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His outstretched Hand, who can turn it back?" (Isa 14:27).
"Even from eternity, I am He; and there is none who can deliver out of My Hand; I act and who can reverse it?" (Isa 43:13).
"I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2).
"... our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases" (Ps 115:3).
Also read Job 9:1-12, Isaiah 45:9 and Romans 9:10-22.
Conclusion
I believe this situation of fallen moral creatures will prove to be a once in eternity, limited event. Only the fallen angels and man will ever be infected by sin. Any other orders (assuming there are, or will be, others) will never be so affected. I realize, some of you may not like what I have forwarded here. But if you have a better answer as to why a perfect God created imperfect beings ... well, I'm listening.
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Robin: Christian in 1977. Education: BA, Bus Admin (Milligan Collg '90) and M-Div (Emmanuel School of Relign '92). One of his ebooks includes every Bible verse about love in a Bible study on love . Other ebooks biblically address death, no tithe, abortion, and capital punishment. You can find each Free Christian Ebook online at freelygive-n.com!