Elwin R. Roach

"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." Isaiah 45:7.

We concluded our previous study with the faithful words of President John Quincy Adams' great-great-grandson, A.P. Adams. His message left the readers knowing that truly, God not only forms the light and makes peace, but also creates darkness as well as evil as our text verse speaks. Moreover, He does all these things according to His purpose that works to the good for not only those who believe, but for the whole of humanity.

As Ray Prinzing said it years ago:

"God is sovereign, and He controls all the interplay of good and evil, and causes all to redound to His own glory. It is not – what was lost by the fall was to be regained by redemption, BUT by the interaction of FALL AND REDEMPTION, God achieves greater, wiser, nobler, and higher goals than by the Adamic race remaining in its pristine state.

"Evil and good are synchronized to accomplish God’s will and purpose, so that the ultimate goal shall reveal all evil transformed back into good, and all negation cancelled out by GOOD. Evil is allowed for wise ends, and when these are secured it must cease to exist, for God will restore all things into good. HE controls all the interaction between evil and good until His purpose of the ages is fulfilled. Then shall God be All in all."

Without darkness and evil His creation would be greatly lacking, thus the role of the devil to do the Master's bidding in the affairs of man; but rest assured, when that divine purpose is fulfilled, Satan will be neutralized. It is the same in our natural lives. For instance, if a construction company is contracted to demolish an old building so a new structure can be built in its place, the demolition machines are brought on the scene. The crew commences to utterly destroy the building with dozers, jack-hammers, even a wrecking ball.

If the old building had been given a mind to think, it would have seen all the equipment as the arch enemy, as adversaries, satans, as devils. They are merciless in their attack! They are destroyers to the utmost! Even so, they do not keep tormenting the building. They do not pound, batter, and smash once the job is finished. They do not destroy it forever.

 To the contrary, as soon as the job is finished, those tools and equipment are retired. They are no longer of use so they are put in storage until needed again for another demolition job. It's the same with Satan that God created, once the waster has fulfilled his contract to destroy, he will be bound and stored in the bottomless pit for a thousand years, metaphorically speaking.

Unbeknown to the church system as a whole, and certainly not taught, is that God created the devil exactly like he is today. He did not create a beautiful, feather-winged choir director that let pride get the best of him, so much so, that he orchestrated a coup d'etat against His creator and was cast out of heaven with a third of the other angels. Nonsense!

We saw previously, and will see more, that long before there was a world or a man, the all-wise God planned every detail of the whole creation from start to finish. He not only planned each detail of the earth itself but with infinite wisdom He planned your life and mine, and this was before the foundations were laid:

 "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." 2 Timothy 1:9.

You see, He planned the moment and place of our birth, the circumstances that were to transpire throughout our lives, and not only our victories, but also our trials, tribulations and failures. The joys were to be a part of it, but also the sorrows which would serve their part in forming each of us according to His wonderful, predestined purpose that would cause His entire creation to shout for joy. Praise God! Thank You Father!

This, of course, is not according to nominal church dogma; but according to the scriptures it is truth. It is also according to the witness of our spirit.

Notwithstanding, some may say, we have waited so long. When will it come to be? Trust and patience are great virtues to have when dealing with such things; but without question, He knows the exact moment and how many ages, if need be, are laid out to bring each of us to the perfection wherein He first created us all in Jesus Christ before the world began:

"...IN him were...all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created, and himself is before all, and the all things IN him have consisted." Colossians 1:16-17, Young's Literal Translation.

Paul also spoke along these lines in his letter to Timothy: "Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God, who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us IN Christ Jesus BEFORE the world began." 2 Timothy 1:8-9.

"...He hath chosen us IN him BEFORE the foundation of the world..." Ephesians 1:4.

Please, beloved of the Lord, let us be assured, there will be an unimaginable transformation to our understanding and a much closer relationship with God when this truth of being created IN Jesus Christ before the world began is made known to inmost part of our hearts. It also helps when it is seen that HE IS TRULY THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF ALL THINGS, especially our faith. When this becomes a reality, such rest, such trust, such an unwavering faith in Him becomes a solid foundation in every phase of our lives.

He was and will always be the FIRST and the LAST. He was and is the ALPHA and the OMEGA. Not only can we rest in knowing the obvious, that God was there in the beginning; but also He will be there at the end and everywhere between. Truly, God is the beginning and He is the end. As certain that ALL THINGS had their beginning in Him, ALL THINGS are being created by Him, for Him, and the same ALL WILL END IN HIM! Nothing, absolutely nothing, that has ever been in Him will be lost or cast aside. He loves his prodigals more than you may know. He is forming them into His exact image and likeness as it all passes through Him, through His process of good and evil!

It is sad that for centuries Christian theologians, pastors, teachers, and writers have taught that God is omniscient (all wise), and yet they accuse Him of the most egregious foolishness. They have declared that God is omnipotent (all powerful), and in their next breath He is accused of total helplessness due to man's "sacred" freewill.

They preach a God of love and follow with words that accuse Him of grotesque sadism, worse than any man or government of men have ever committed. As horrid as the tortures of Hitler's Buchenwald and Auschwitz were, their view and gross caricatures of God, make his atrocities look like kindergarten classes.

One of the greatest necessities for God's people today is to have a complete change of heart in their attitude and relationship to their heavenly Father. It is time for His people of "love" to know Him as the God of Love, the God who loves ALL, and the God who will never lose nor forsake any, not even one, not you, not any of your children or your grandchildren, or any other.

Since God is all wise, there is no way for anything to happen in the entire universe without Him knowing about it. The fact is, it was written in the script by His hand long before it was played out on the set. A God who numbers every hair of every head among the billions of earth's population, as Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:30, is without doubt a God of infinite knowledge. Also, a God that sees every sparrow which is sold or falls to the ground cannot be accused of inattention or uncaring to what He has created.

Surely, since He is mindful of the least of birds, and we are sure of dogs, cats, and mice as well, even fleas and flies, ticks and mites His value for us is a little higher on the scale. Frankly, I know, and so do you, we are of much more of value than all the earth creatures combined.

So, peace, be still about where you are in Him today. This new creation is a process with good and evil being major factors, not only with you and me, but everyone else, including our families and friends, and yes, our enemies too.

God has declared that He knows the thoughts and intents of men's hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him nothing is beyond His knowledge, nothing is out of His presence. The light and the dark are both alike to Him. In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Even should we make our bed in hell, He is there as stated in Psalm 139:8. He will lift us out from there once the evil therein has worked its purpose.

But back to our topic at hand. There is a word in the book of Acts that clearly illustrates that the good, Jesus, and the evil, Herod and Pilate, were ordained by God:

"And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, 'Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them: Who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ. For of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou has anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done." Acts 4:24-28.

It doesn't get much plainer than this. The God of good and evil anointed and ordained the evil acts of both Herod and Pilate, along with the Gentiles to do their terrible deeds.

You see, the crucifixion of Christ, the persecution of the apostles and the church were ordained. It was all determined long before any of it was in the earth. It was decreed by God before the foundation of the world. God not only knows the future, but He planned the future. That which He planned, whether it was good or evil, is part of His purpose that helps in framing His creation into His beautiful image and likeness.

Everything is planned by God before it is initiated or seen in the world. Everything is preordained. Like building a house, everything is in the blueprint before the first nail is driven. Unlike natural architects, His blueprint leaves no room for changes. It is perfect, lacking nothing, and being complete, nothing can be added or taken away.

Most of us believe that God is omnipotent; but it seems this is vaguely believed, that there are a few things that He either cannot or will not do that might transgress man's "freewill." But let us notice some things about this omnipotent God of good and evil:

First, the whole Bible and all of creation in heaven and earth, as well as the expanse of the universe breathe, declare, proclaim, sing and shout the omnipotence and glory of God. And the testimony of scripture — "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them..." Psalm 33:6.

He speaks and planets, worlds, and stars appear. He decrees and they dissolve away, or they abide forever in their predestined orbits. He is the one who says to seas, "Thus far and no further: here shall thy proud waves be stayed," and mighty billows can but lash the shores and fall away at His command. "Praise ye Him, all His angels! Praise ye Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars of light! Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He hath also established them for ever and ever; He hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps: fire and hail; snow and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling his word: mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars; beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl; kings of earth and all people; princes and all judges of the earth; both young men and maidens, old men and children; Let them praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is excellent. His glory is above the earth and heaven." Psalm 148.

Can we hear it, I mean, HEAR IT? By the word of the Lord were the heavens made and all the hosts of them. Principalities, powers, and angels obey His word. He raises up kings, as well as presidents, and puts them down. He speaks and living things are created. He speaks again, and weather patterns change the face of the earth.

He commands, and the sun hides its face or retraces its steps in the sky as with king Hezekiah when he was asking for a sign from the prophet Isaiah to verify that all he had foretold was true. The storms and the raging seas obey His voice. He hangs the earth upon nothing.

Moreover, not only were all things made by him; but all things were made for him. All come from Him: man, beasts all cattle, flying creatures and creeping things, angels, principalities and powers, they all come from Him and were created for His pleasure. And due to His love, purpose and pleasure — of immanent necessity, they will all end in Him.

Everything, whether a man, a woman, a nation, pebble or a blade of grass was designed for God's purpose, and has a part in that eternal purpose. Nothing anywhere in the universe was made without purpose. Nothing was created to exist without being part of God's great plan. Everything everywhere is a link to His chain of events. Everything plays an integral part of His purpose.

One might feel that they are a mere cog in a huge wheel and is of little or no importance, but without that little cog, the machine would not run smoothly and the vibration could eventually break down the entire machine. Even a drop of water is a part of the fathomless oceans, as every sunrise is a part of the all encompassing eternal day.

Therefore, dear fellow fledglings and sojourners in Christ, when we feel so insignificant in such an immense creation, let us be encouraged to know that He has placed us where no one else can fit or fill. Each of us has been drawn into the blueprint of His house that is presently being built. Not one of us has been left out or overlooked, and we will all be a huge part of His finished work. His house would be greatly lacking if He lost even one of us. To know this should be very assuring and cause our hearts to leap and rejoice forever more! Aren't you glad?

Can we not see the imperial purpose of God? Even if there were no scriptures declaring what it is, surely, we can see it written as flaming words in all creation. We can see that all things, everything in existence, came out of Him, and that all things are being drawn back into Him, yet changed, transformed, raised up in perfect form. Ah, the God of good and evil is doing this before our very eyes.

Embracing this truth makes a vital difference in our attitude toward all things and all people. Whether it is good or bad, when we know that His purpose is present in all things, we can be at peace; for it is comforting to know that it is for their sake; but not only theirs, it is for our sake too, and for the sake of creation; but above all, it is for Gods sake. The divine purpose is for us all, and He will not fail in bringing it to pass!

By many, the attitude toward Pharaoh, the wicked king of Egypt, has, for the most part, been of scorn and disdain; feeling that for such a hard-hearted, rebellious enemy of God and His people merits no mercy, forever. However, a few hearts change when they read these telling words:

"For now will I stretch out mine hand that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. And in very deed for this cause I raised thee up, for to show my power and that my name may be declared-throughout the whole earth." Exodus 9:15.

You see, Pharaoh had no choice of the matter. He did not devise his evil plan and hatred on his own. He did not volunteer to help fill a cause. He was conscripted!

Paul knew something of these high things. Speaking of Pharaoh he wrote: "It is not to him that willeth or to him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. for the scripture says of Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised thee up that I might show my power in thee and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore, hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy (the good), and whom he will he hardeneth (the evil)." Romans 9:16-18. Thus, the God of both, good and evil.

It takes no effort to believe that Moses was raised up for a specific purpose; it is a little more difficult, however, to see that God raised up Pharaoh for a specific purpose as well; yet when it dawns on us that He did, our image of Him will change drastically. It is then that anything that is a part of God's Purpose will be treated with respect even though we might not like or understand it.

A hard question, and not being partisan, can we respect: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, the Clinton(s), Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, AOC, the Bushes, Bill Gates, Anthony Fauci, ad infinitum? Wow! This is a hard one! I know it may seem to some, on either side, that this is scraping the bottom of the barrel; but remember, ALL POWERS are raised up and ordained of God, whether for good or evil to serve His purpose. and this is whether we approve of it or not. (Sometimes, we think we could do a better job; but as we are more enlightened, we'll get over it.)

Notwithstanding, perhaps we can now see why Paul said: "Judge nothing before the time until the Lord...brings to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the heart: and then shall EVERY MAN have praise of God." 1 Corinthians 4:5.

Just meditate on this; for it could transform your thinking toward all men and women, especially those in power whether they are considered good or evil. Frankly, it is not unusual for us to judge others according to our own set of rules and values. When we do this, we see things only through a narrow slit and miss the greater picture of God's wisdom that which He has ordained. Truly in so many things, we see through a glass darkly.

Contrary to man's thinking, Jude and Michael, the mighty archangel, evidently knew that even Satan was an essential part in God's overall scheme of things:

"Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominions, and speak evil of dignities. yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about [Israel] the [many membered] body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation; but said, The Lord rebuke thee. but these speak evil of those things which they know not; but what they know naturally as brute beasts in those things they corrupt themselves." Jude 8-10. [Italicize brackets supplied.]

Peter also left us with this admonition:

Men who walk after the flesh despise governments, are self-willed and not afraid to speak evil of dignities, whereas angels which are greater in power and might bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord... but...speak evil of things they understand not...." 2 Peter 2:10-12.

And Paul said: "Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God." Romans 13:1.

Whenever we speak against Satan, demons, or Babylon in railing, reviling, or lambasting terms, we declare loudly our lack of understanding of Gods purpose. Don't we recall one thing God said about Babylon? Although she had made all the earth drunk, that the nations had drank her wine, and, therefore, those nations had gone mad (similar to this day), but note, the verse also says that Babylon is a golden cup in His hand. (Jeremiah 51:7). Again, He not only creates good but also evil, and calls it a golden cup in His hand.

We really do have a hard time reconciling these things, I must say that I do when it is my frail, carnal mind doing the thinking. But surely our hearts rejoice in knowing that His hand is in all these matters, that He has not lost control and is in the very mix of it all.

If we truly see this, how can we possibly cast away one person when God has concluded them all in unbelief, and especially that He will have mercy upon them ALL, as Paul wrote in Romans 11:32?

As atrocious and evil that we see governments, local, state and federal, regardless of the Party or persuasion, with from viewing from the throne, we see they are raised up to fulfill God's specific purpose, which is ultimately good. The fact that our human minds do not understand or agree with His purpose at times means nothing at all in the real scope of spiritual matters. It should, however, alter our attitude toward God's ordained principalities, powers, and dignities, and even towards Satan himself; for we can clearly see that there is no power but of God, and to be reminded, the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1.

When this rings true in our hearts, we cannot help from praising this gracious GOD OF GOOD AND EVIL while rejoicing that "ALL THINGS are working together for good to them that love God and to them who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. Oh, the depth of the riches and His goodness! How unsearchable are His riches and immutable purpose. His ways are past finding out! What unfathomable love He has for us and we for Him!

I don't believe, however, that our love for Him could really bloom into real love until we see that God's infinite purpose has always been embedded in the root of all things in His universe. And again, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, principalities or powers, whether creatures of flesh or angels of light, they all are moving by the power and wonder of His purpose of drawing them all back into Himself. Our love comes because He first loved us, but also when we saw Him for who He really is, rather than a narcissistic despot that would torment most of His creation throughout eternity.

As mentioned before, and to be reminded, He created all things according to the counsel of His will, including darkness and evil, and no doubt about it, there will be a day when every intricate detail of His purpose will be unveiled to our wondering eyes. We will then see the reason behind the dark days and perilous storms that had often beset us. We shall then understand the purpose of death and sorrow, and why our horizons were darkened and disappointment wrecked our hopes and crushed our ambitions. Then we will know the reason behind our pain and suffering and see what purpose it had in us being created in His image and likeness.

Although understanding is lacking now, we are encouraged as the heavy load is lifted and our hearts are filled with joy, with love, and a much greater understanding than before. When we know that behind it all is one great revelation of truth; which is, GOD'S PURPOSE FOR ALL!

 Isn't it great to know that He will lose nothing, not even a mite from a single chicken's tail? Isn't it especially wonderful to know that He will not lose, not even one, of His prodigal sons? Isn't it great to know that both the good and evil in their lives will draw them ALL into Jesus and back to their Father? YES! YES! And YES!

Again, God's purpose lies behind all things, and the moment this truth dawns upon our spiritual understanding, all things will shine with light. Everything begins to make sense, and our love for God radiates from a much higher dimension. Wisdom and understanding expands, while our hearts do rejoice that in the process of our making, God is using the specific and proper methods of creating us according to His purpose. That purpose, of course, is a very, very good purpose!

And I must say, or elect to say, that very, very good purpose is NOT to burn the majority of his human creation, or any others, in hellfire forever. This very good purpose IS AN UNDENIABLE FACT, RIGHT AS RAIN, FAITHFUL AND TRUE!

In my humble opinion, I believe it is impossible for anyone to truly love God until their spirit understands that before all things, through all things, and in all things is the omnipotent God of love, that in Him and Him alone is light, and in Him only is life.

Please remember that He was before all things and by and in Him all things consist. There is no man, no woman, no angel, principality, or power that holds a position of authority but by the direct appointment of God. In Him all living moves and has their existence. How can it be any other way, since BY Him, FOR Him and INTO Him are ALL THINGS? From Him everything comes, by Him everything exists, and in Him everything ends —SO THE SCRIPTURES DECLARE! Do you believe it? It's safe and wise to do so!

The accepted view that a thing can have its beginning in God and then have its ending in tormenting flames of fire, and forever separated from God. Such is an imagination that comes from the base mind of man. Jerome and Dante Alighieri were men of like imaginations. Regardless of the man or his imagination, this one is certainly not from the Spirit of the living God wherein all creation returns. "All comes from him, all lives by him, and ALL ENDS IN HIM. Glory to Him forever, Amen." Romans 11:36 Moffat's Translation.

Those resounding words cast more than a ray of hope across the dark edicts of religious men's dogma that serves only to confuse minds and lays stumbling blocks that cause their faith in the all Mighty God to waver and die.

The trumpeting words of this beautiful verse, even if left to stand alone, sheds a bright ray of hope in spite of man's dogma. For centuries they have served to lead their congregations astray. Church leaders have taught "their" people to obediently "love" a God who will be tormenting some of their family and most of His creation in hellfire forever, and with no possibility of parole. How can you love such a God, especially if you are commanded to do so? You may go through motions. But how can your heart be in it? That is not love. It's being subservient due to fear!

We have no hesitation in saying that no one can truly love God as he ought until he sees that behind all things and before all things is an all wise God forming by and through Jesus Christ His entire creation in the image and likeness of Himself. Since God is both all wise and all powerful, we know that He has the infinite wisdom to plan from the beginning to the end. Not only that, He has power to carry out His plan and without interference from any source in the entire universe.

Nothing can stand against His predestined purpose, and there is nothing that can resist His power that is driving it. In man's condition of bondage and ignorance, he may think otherwise, but he knows nothing as it truly is.

Knowing this, we are not anxious , we are well settled, we rest. For we know that all has always been well, it is now well, and shall always be well! Our God of good and evil cannot fail in that which He has created in His Son Jesus before He laid the foundations of the earth. He is right on target! ALL WILL unfold in the perfect image and likeness of Him! Nothing could be more sure!!!

Nothing is amiss! Nothing is off course! Nothing is lost! All is well — IT IS VERY WELL!

But we can't dismiss our part of the process. He takes great pleasure in doing all this with us. He doesn't do it alone, as if we have nothing to do with it. It is not as if creation is effortlessly floating down a river on a log to the eventual ocean of eternal life. Not at all! His pleasure has always been to do things with those He loves, you and me and the rest of creation. He truly loves godly sorrow that works repentance unto salvation. That's one of the many parts where we fit in...

To be continued...