The Providence of God
Does God Still Participate in Earthly Life?
- Some types of Godly intervention changed after the destruction of Jerusalem
- Prophets et al (Daniel 9:24, 1 Corinthians 13:8 – 9)
- Unclean spirits (Zechariah 13:2, Jude 6, Revelation 20:2 – 3)
- Special leaders (Ephesians 4:11 – 16)
- No mention is made that other promises would change (see specific handouts)
- Prayer
- Future home, judgment
- Character development
- Difficulties
- Understanding
- Importance
- Success
- Assistance
- Are these promises for the faithful or for unbelievers also?
- To what degree does God exert His control over the events on earth?
- Absolute control denies free will. Absolute free will denies intervention by God.
- (Matthew 10:29 – 31) Apart from the Father’s will, knowledge, concern?
- (Proverbs 16:33) Does God govern all events of apparent chance?
- (Philippians 2:13) Is this control or the result of the work of the Spirit?
- (Psalm 103:19, Matthew 28:18) God rules over all but there are many disobedient citizens.
- (Matthew 5:45) Some things are an outgrowth of Creation, some things are specific changes to the order set in motion at Creation.
- (Romans 13:1 – 7) God appoints government, not individual governors.
- (Proverbs 21:1) Does God manipulate all kings?
- (Galatians 1:15 et al) God has had (still has?) specific plans for specific people. Does that principle extend to all people?
- (2 Peter 3:9) God desires eternal life with Him for all, but He will not get His wish.
- (1 Samuel 2:9) In what way will God guard the faithful and silence the wicked?
- (Acts 17:28) In what way do we live, move, and have our being in God?
- (1 Peter 3:12) What does it mean that God “hears” the prayers of the righteous?
- Asserting the intervention of God in a specific event requires proof
- (Matthew 9:6, 12:39) The primary purpose of miracles was proof of the origin of promises (and other reasons, Matthew 14:14)
- (Amos 3:7) Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
- Many appropriate the endorsement of God on their opinions.
- (2 Corinthians 4:7, John 17:20 – 26, et al) The accomplishment of some promises is a continuing proof.
- The accomplishment of some promises cannot be proven.
- The required level of proof is that which unbelievers can understand (1 Corinthians 2:14)