Hi ez2u,
This is such a hard thing to understand. It is so sad to watch someone suffer. But why would God be putting us through all this, if not for the ultimate good. I think it's like we can't see the forrest for the trees, as we are in this process or experience. I hang on to this scripture.
1Cor 2:9 But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
This scripture will include all of humanity, eventually.
Here are a couple of emails on this.
http://bible-truths.com/email6.htm#suffer --------------------------
Why is there suffering and evil? Because God says so? Surely you must have struggled intellectually with this one. I don't expect you to know the details of God's plan and how evil works to fulfill it or even why God chose his methodology but... do YOU ever wonder or are you fulfilled enough by the scriptures to let it be.
Jake
[Ray Replies]
Dear Jake:
It is true that there are many mysteries that we do not understand. And yet, there is much that we do understand, at least in part.
God is GOOD. What IS good? How does anyone BECOME GOOD?
Take a very close look at ANY VIRTUE, Jake, and see HOW IT BECAME A VIRTUE! Is "truthfulness" a virtue if everyone always was and always will be "truthful?" No, because there is NOTHING TO COMPARE IT WITH! Is "patience" a virtue that one can buy at a department store? Can "patience" be developed and achieved QUICKLY AND WITHOUT DISTRESS? I think not.
There is nothing, and I mean absolutely NOTHING that we can come to understand as part of our knowledge, that is not understood by how that bit of knowledge CONTRASTS with OTHER pieces of knowledge. Everything that exists is only understood by contrasts. How does one know what "big" is if he doesn't know what "small" is, and vice-a-versa? How can we say something is rough if we don't have any concept of smooth? Up is only up in relation or contrast to down. Light is contrasted with darkness, etc., etc., etc.
Do you see where this is going? If we are to appreciate "good," it is essential that we have an experience of "EVIL." If we are to appreciate (I mean REALLY appreciate) LIFE, then it is essential that we ALL DIE!!!
And so, God in His infinite wisdom, has provided all of these things--we call it CREATION--so that mankind might experience all that is necessary to humble, educate, experience, and appreciate, the wonderful things that God has prepared for us.
All the ugly, evil, and misery of life can be likened to the scaffolding of a building. While creation of the new building is in progress, the scaffolding is an eye-sore, and serves NO PRACTICAL PURPOSE except the actual creation of the building. But, when the beautiful building is completed, we tear down the ugly scaffolding and throw it away--it serves no more useful purpose to our completed building, EVER. And so we read that even DEATH, the LAST ENEMY, will be ABOLISHED (I Cor. 15:26)!!
I hope this helps your understanding a little better.
Sincerely,
Ray
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,1607.0.html ----------
Hello Ray,
>
> I'm an avid reader, and have thanked you before via email - your papers have
> been a HUGE blessing to me!
>
> I've a question, that I'm hoping you've thought about and have an easy
> answer for. It *seems* like you're suggesting that the Lake of Fire is a
> purification process for the unbeliever. It seemed like a great
> explanation - but one thing continually nagging at me is:
>
> It seems to me that no sufferings (perhaps "suffering" is where I go
> astray?) of the sinner can purge his own carnality/sin. That is accomplished
> solely by the sacrifice of Christ. And also, the sinner has been judged at
> the great white throne, so why continue the infliction for the whole of that
> tremendous eon?
>
> If you've not an easy answer, can you at least provide a thought that will
> set me on the right track to find the err of my thinking?
>
> Thanks Brother Ray... blessings to you as you continue writing for us!
>
> Glen Klein
Dear Glen:
Certainly not. If the sacrifice of Jesus cleanses our carnal minds completely, what was the purpose of the apostles suffering most AFTER the crucifixion and resurrection. And not all tribulation and suffering is to purge sin, but to build character, patience, love, etc. Jesus did not sin. Jesus did not have a carnal mind. Jet Jesus SUFFERED and learned what it was to be obedient BY the things that He suffered. Etc. The Lake of Fire is part of the Great White Throne Judgment. Some enter the city before others. Some have few lashes and others have many lashes, etc.
God be with you,
Ray