Does Everything Happen for a Reason? (Part 7) Did God know that Adam would sin?

Welcome back, welcome back, my beautiful readers.

OOOMMMGOODNESS! June is almost over, well, getting down there towards the end. I hope you are having a great summer. I we have been busy busy busy here. Busy, and getting a whole lot of nothing done, so it seems. Ha.

Fate

Definition: An inevitable and often adverse outcome. Fatalism is the belief that all events are determined by the divine will or by some force greater than man, that every event must take place as it does because it has been predetermined. 

Not a Bible word or teaching

I am so glad that upon reasoning from the scriptures, it is possible to answer the question: When God created Adam, did he know that Adam would sin? After asking myself that question about Adam, I found that a feeling of unfairness set over me, unfair that we were 'possibly' doomed from the start.   How about you? What do you think? When God created Adam, did he know that Adam would sin? I would genuinely like to know what you think.

OK, from the Scriptures, here is what God set before Adam and Eve: 28  Further, God blessed them, and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth+ and subdue it,+ and have in subjection+ the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.”  (Genesis 1:28) We have probably all heard this scripture many times. It is a well used and familiar one. Growing up, I remember hearing it often. Here's another thing that God set before Adam and Eve: 16  Jehovah God also gave this command to the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction.+ 17  But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.”+Genesis 2:16, 17.

photo from: www.shutterstock.com 

Here's the question I put to you... Would you encourage your children to undertake a project with a marvelous future, knowing... knowing from the start, that it was doomed to failure? Would you? Would you warn them of harm, while knowing that you had planned everything so that they were sure to come to grief? Would you? I think you already know the answer to that, aye? Here's another question for you to think about... Is it reasonable, then, to attribute such to God? I'm just asking.

I like this scripture in Matthew 7:11 - Therefore, if you, although being wicked, [or, “bad as you are,” NE translation],  know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will your Father who is in the heavens give good things+ to those asking him!+Jehovah gives good gifts y'all... good gifts.

If God foreordained and foreknew Adam's sin and all that would result from this, it would mean that by creating Adam, God deliberately set in motion all the wickedness committed in human history. He would be the Source of all the ward, the crime, the immorality, the oppression, the lying, the hypocrisy, the disease. I don't know about you, but my God is better than that, and I hope that your God of the Bible is Too! But the Bible clearly says:

   4  For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness...+ Psalms 5:4.  

Yep, that's the God of love that I know.

And here's is something else to think about... How could God be the Source of all the bad on the earth, then inspire this writing? Psalms 11:5  5  Jehovah examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one;+He* hates anyone who loves violence.+God hates anyone who loves violence, so he surly is not the Source of it! We can take that to the bank, because "God... cannot lie." (Titus 1:2) He just cannot lie!

I love that I can draw comfort from the scriptures and find the God of love that I was always taught

Comfort from the Scriptures

about, but when growing up, was conflicted when God was blamed for the bad in the world. While I was not taught he was the Source, I did wonder why God was blamed! I couldn't help it. It just didn't make sense to me. I see now that the conflict lies in incorrect teachings that 'Blame' God, when clearly the scriptures say other wise.  On the contrary, "from oppression and from violence he (the One designated by God as Messianic King) will redeem their soul, and their blood will be precious in his eyes." ... Psalm 72:14  ...Precious... Let me say it again... Precious... That means a lot to me, I hope it does to you as well.

And as always, we have heard many many many times that 8  Whoever does not love has not come to know God, because God is love.+I John 4:8. He is a God of love, not one who sets us up to fail.

So again, I ask, When God created Adam, did he know that Adam would sin? Did God set him up to fail? I go back to my original statement, "Unfair that we were doomed from the start." We, as loving parents would not do that to our children, how much more so that the God of Love would not doom us from the start. Everyone wants to be treated fair, we get that from our creator, in who's image we were created, that sense of justice. I guess that is why this final scripture makes sense to me:

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5  He loves righteousness and justice.+ Psalm 33:5.
Additional information can be found here:Did God Know That Adam and Eve Would Sin?

Does Everything Happen for a Reason? (Part 6) Does God’s ability to foreknow and foreordain events prove that he does this regarding ALL THE ACTIONS of all his creatures?

Hello, and welcome back, my beautiful readers.

It's mid June. How's the weather treating you? Good, I hope. I put in a bit of a garden this spring, and it is the one thing I've got going on that I am kinda good at, if you like weeds. Ha ha ha.

Fate

Definition: An inevitable and often adverse outcome. Fatalism is the belief that all events are determined by the divine will or by some force greater than man, that every event must take place as it does because it has been predetermined. 

Not a Bible word or teaching.

The more research we do into the scriptures, the more knowledge we gain. On the subject of 'Fate' I have realized that there are a lot of people who believe in it. I guess for some, it would be easier to place the blame elsewhere, be it others and not themselves, which it sometimes is, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, which it sometimes is, or that there is an evil in the air, which it sometimes is. But what kills me is when God is blamed, WHICH IT IS 'NEVER!'

Life's water is free. You must
choose to drink it.

Let's examine this question, though: Does God’s ability to foreknow and foreordain events prove that he does this regarding all the actions of all his creatures?

Choice is not foreordained. As brought out in Revelation 22:17 - "Let anyone hearing say: 'Come!' And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life's water free," it is left to the individual.

And there is no forcing of individuals to pursue a prescribed course. That point is brought out, again, from the Bible, this time at Romans 2:4,5: "Do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and long-suffering, because you do not know that the kindly quality of God is trying to lead you to repentance? But according to you hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and of the revealing of God's righteous judgement." NO, there is not forcing individuals to purse a prescribed course, but there is accountability for what one does. As for accountability, I'm sure you've heard this expression: "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." What does that tell us? We are accountable for our actions...WE.

And my last thought on this one comes in the form of a question. Would a just and loving God encourage people to do what is right, in hope of a reward, if... if he knew that they were foreordained not to succeed? Well, Zephaniah had something to say about that. Let's, together, read it at Zeph. 2:3: "Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth... Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger." Now.. don't freak out about the word 'probably' in that verse, cuz the 'probably' means that's it's UP TO US to do the right thing. Jehovah has set the standards, and it's us to us to follow...UP TO US!!!

Here's an Illustration: The owner of a radio can listen to the world news. But the fact that he can listen to a certain station does not mean that he does. He must first turn on the radio and then select the station. Likewise, Jehovah has the ability to foreknow events, but the Bible shows that he makes selective and discretionary use of that ability, with due regard for the free will with which he has endowed his human creation.—

photo from: reclaimingthemind.org

Compare Genesis 22:12 (Abraham had a choice); 18:20, 21 (Lot chose Righteousness in Sodom and Gomorrah).

Imagine that...FREE WILL... we all have it, weather we chose to obey our creator or not. FREE WILL!

Additional information can be found here:

The Bible’s Viewpoint

Is Your Future Predestined?

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Does Everything Happen for a Reason? (Part 5) Are there superhuman forces that also cause woe to mankind?

Welcome, come on in to my office and have a seat, you beautiful readers.

I am glad you can join me. The reason that I am doing this series, 'Does Everything Happen for a Reason?' is because I just can't stand it when my best friend, Jehovah God, is being bashed and spoken badly about, and the teachings and beliefs out there can just make him look evil, and I just have to say something, the truth from the Bible. Hope ya don't mind.

Fate

Definition: An inevitable and often adverse outcome. Fatalism is the belief that all events are determined by the divine will or by some force greater than man, that every event must take place as it does because it has been predetermined. 

Not a Bible word or teaching.

Are there superhuman forces that also cause woe to man? 

I'm telling you, it's just getting worse and worse out there in the world, a world that we have no choice but to live in. A world filled with...well... all sorts of BAD... and I am purposely not going to mentions any on account of we've had enough bad news already. I will give you a hint though... 355 in the U.S. alone in 2015!

What causes all this bad? We have learned earlier that God is not the cause, that, also, just being in the wrong time at the wrong time is the reason for bad things, and we've learned that man can also be the cause for the BAD that happens. But, let us learn of another cause for the BAD that happens.


This is short, but sweet, well, not really sweet at all, if you think about it!!! I will let the Bible speak for me on this point. You can find it in your own copy of the Bible, or just click on the link:

Revelation 12:12 reads:
"Woe for the earth and for the sea, 

because the Devil has come down to you, 

having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." 

That's is folks. I thought it was worded rather 'to the point.' And really, haven't we seen that 'great anger' from the Devil here on the earth? I am really looking forward to a beautiful promise that Jehovah God gave us in the same book, found at:

 Revelation 21:4 (my Favorite) 

"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, 

and death will be no more, 

neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. 

The former things have passed away."

A while back, I was able to share the following with one of my readers who asked me why Revelation 21:4 was my favorite scripture:
 (also, the link below will take you to 6 other beautiful promises given to us by our loving creator, Jehovah God. Enjoy. I do.)

Thank you for asking. Actually, you're the first person to ask me what my favorite is. I am happy to tell you. The reason I asked you is based on the statement above it: THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD WILL DO AMAZING THINGS ON THE EARTH. Then it lists 6 scriptures, all beautiful promises to us, from God, that we can look forward to here on Earth. Like you, I too look forward to them all, but my favoritest favoritest favoritest out of all of those beautiful promises from God to us is Revelation 21:4. Here's why, it reads: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away" The part of the scripture that resonated down into my heart was the last sentence: "the former things have passed away." I cried when I read that. I still cry if I try to read it out loud amongst friends, but, can you imagine? The former things have passed away! Wow. the former things encompasses so much, that it is a complete statement. There is a time coming when this earth will no longer be filled with all those tears, death, sorrow, they will BE NO MORE. Like...how cool will that be? I am so looking forward to that! It is in harmony with another beautiful promise from God to us at Psalm 37:9 - For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth... Girl, according to the 6 scriptures I asked you about, (and many more that I did not include) there is coming a time when this earth will be the way it was intended to be in the beginning, and I hope I am worthy enough to see it!

New Reading Material for the month of June 2016

Hello, hello, hello, my beautiful readers, and welcome back.

With the new month comes new reading material. This months reading material is kinda neat in that Breaking the language barrier is talked about, and to me, that is like way kool. (Yes, I spelled it that way on purpose.)

AWAKE! NO. 3 2016

Breaking the Language Barrier

Jehovah’s Witnesses have undertaken a monumental task of translation.

Breaking Through an Ancient Barrier

Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses translate their publications into so many languages?

THE diversity and vast number of the world’s languages—some 7,000 at present

Breaking the Language Barrier—A Look Behind the Scenes

A translator explains how his work is organized.

The Writing Department at their world headquarters in New York
thoroughly checks all text for factual accuracy and correct, up-to-date language usage.

Ignaz Semmelweis

Every modern family owes this man a debt of gratitude. Why?

By Jenő Doby - Benedek, István (1983) Ignaz Phillip Semmelweis 1818-1865,
Gyomaendrőd, Hungary: Corvina Kiadó ISBN: 9631314596. plate 15,
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4550652

How to Discuss Problems

Men and women have different communication styles. Understanding the difference can save you a lot of frustration.

          THE RIGHT TIME?

Faith

The Bible says that ‘without faith it is impossible to please God well.’ Just what is faith? How can you acquire it?

Photo from Google search

Food Allergy and Food Intolerance—What’s the Difference?

Are there any risks from a self-diagnosis?

The Ant’s Neck

How can this insect carry a load that is many times its own body weight?

As you can see, there is plenty of good reading. Enjoy.

The following in supplemental information:

‘Good News to Every Nation, Tribe, and Tongue’

To reach as many as possible with Bible truth, accurate translation is vital. How is this work done? What challenges do translators face?

Share this blog so others can enjoy as well

Does Everything Happen for a Reason? (Part 4) Who's Responsible, God or Humans?

Welcome back once again, my beautiful readers. I hope that the first of June is treating you well. It's getting warm here in Kentucky. 

Fate

Definition: An inevitable and often adverse outcome. Fatalism is the belief that all events are determined by the divine will or by some force greater than man, that every event must take place as it does because it has been predetermined. 

Not a Bible word or teaching.

Do humans bear responsibility for much of the hardship suffered by themselves and others of humankind? What do you think? Who's responsible, God or Humans? 

Here lately, for me, as I watch the news on a daily basis, (I didn't use to, way to depressing) and I see the number of bad, depressing things, (yes, the news is still way to depressing to me) I really am overwhelmed. I am just thankful that I have seen anyone on the news 'Blame God' lately, but no doubt, it's coming. I get so furious when I hear things like 'everything happens for a reason,' or 'it was God's will' or 'God needed to punish...' Really?!?!?! That doesn't sound like a God of love. And as you have read in my previous Blogs, God is not wicked, he is a God of love, and hard as it might be to imagine, "... God is a God not of disorder but of peace..." 1 Corinthians 14:33. 

Adam and Eve removed from Eden

So, again, I ask, Who bears the responsibility for much of the hardship suffered, God or Humans. Well, the Bible has something interesting to say about us humans. Let's start at the beginning, shall we? Romans 5:12: “Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.”  What does that mean for us? It means that imperfections, including inclinations toward wrongdoing, are inherited, yes, inherited from Adam BY ALL OF US. 

From there, it just gets worse... Ecclesiastes 8:9: “Man has dominated man to his injury.” I know you all can agree with the wise King Solomon on this one. I imagine some images just ran through you mind in a type of mini horror story, I know they did for me. Please don't make me list them, I don't wanna depress any one more than I probably already have. Thanks.
(The following is supplementary information: Why Does God Allow the Strong to Oppress the Weak?)

Like Father like Son

And have you ever heard this one? "He's the spitting image of his dad," or "she gets that from her mother," (I tell my daughter that one all the time.) Well it's true, children imitate their parents. Children learn from their parents. In the end, most Children act just like their parents. Proverbs 13:1: “A son is wise where there is a father’s discipline.” In the end, what parents do has a great influence on the lives of their offspring.

"Well, he had that coming!" How many times have we heard that right after someone pays the consequence for something bad they have done. It's not a new expression. Or, "He's gunna pay for that!" Or if you're more religiously inclined, "You reap what you so." Admittedly, I heard that a lot growing up, from my Dad, but truth is, I didn't really understand what it meant, it was always quoted at me, never explained to me. (I get it now, but I don't want to get off topic.) I think, perhaps, my dad got the expression from this scripture: Galations 6:7: “Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap.” (Also Proverbs 11:17; 23:29, 30; 29:15; 1 Corinthians 6:18)

As you have seen from these scriptures, Jehovah God is not the one to blame. Sadly, humans bear the responsibility for a lot of the bad, the hardship, that is going on in this world today. (Insert sad sad face right here. IJS...)

However, at this point, I would like to ask you this: Do you think man is to blame for ALL the bad, wickedness in this world? Your thoughts please. 

Are there superhuman forces that also cause woe to mankind? What do you think about that question? Now that I've asked the question, are you wondering if the Bible has something to say about it? Well, guess what? Glad you asked... Let us look into that in Part 5. Stay tuned... 

Additional Bible information can be learned here:

What Can the Bible Teach Us?

 CHAPTER ELEVEN

Why So Much Suffering?