please don't think I'm dumb...
I've been reading...various things, but especially the Bible. Mike and I are reading through it. Which has been great for discussion. While I have been a Christian for many years, I have never read through the Bible, front to back. I have started...many times, but then gotten side tracked. Anyway...I have a question. Maybe I will find the answer by reading, but I thought I would post it and see what other peoples opinions are.
Basically (or not so basic), why didn't God create heaven on earth from the very beginning?
I understand why we have evil, but I don't understand why if in the end the battle will be fought and God will win and Satan will lose, why not do it at the beginning. If God hates pain and suffering...etc, why didn't he just end it before it began. Is this all just to prove a point to Satan, that even given the choice humans will still choose to worship God? Is it all just to say - look I don't have to create robots to worship me, humans will do it too?
Now, I also understand that this is all in God's timing, but I don't understand why he couldn't have finished it all with the flood. I mean, why start over if the humans (Noah and family) are just going to screw it all up again.
Now, I know there is controversy over whether or not we will have "heavenly bodies" or if we will just be a spirit, but if heaven is going to be on earth after the final battle, then wouldn't we have bodies? Otherwise, what would be the point in returning to earth? Why not just stay in heaven and have heaven in heaven? And if we have bodies, will we be asexual, or will we be able to procreate, and if we are able to, won't it just be like God having created robots at the beginning of time? Because our children (or whoever's) will never know evil, they will only know a world where we worship God.
There could be a very easy answer to this...probably just to have faith that God's plan is perfect (that's what my husband says) but I was just wondering if anyone had some definite answers or opinions. I would prefer definite answers, maybe with scripture to back it up.
Thanks...
an inquiring believer
Basically (or not so basic), why didn't God create heaven on earth from the very beginning?
I understand why we have evil, but I don't understand why if in the end the battle will be fought and God will win and Satan will lose, why not do it at the beginning. If God hates pain and suffering...etc, why didn't he just end it before it began. Is this all just to prove a point to Satan, that even given the choice humans will still choose to worship God? Is it all just to say - look I don't have to create robots to worship me, humans will do it too?
Now, I also understand that this is all in God's timing, but I don't understand why he couldn't have finished it all with the flood. I mean, why start over if the humans (Noah and family) are just going to screw it all up again.
Now, I know there is controversy over whether or not we will have "heavenly bodies" or if we will just be a spirit, but if heaven is going to be on earth after the final battle, then wouldn't we have bodies? Otherwise, what would be the point in returning to earth? Why not just stay in heaven and have heaven in heaven? And if we have bodies, will we be asexual, or will we be able to procreate, and if we are able to, won't it just be like God having created robots at the beginning of time? Because our children (or whoever's) will never know evil, they will only know a world where we worship God.
There could be a very easy answer to this...probably just to have faith that God's plan is perfect (that's what my husband says) but I was just wondering if anyone had some definite answers or opinions. I would prefer definite answers, maybe with scripture to back it up.
Thanks...
an inquiring believer