Did God Create the Devil? (cont'd)

So, what's the deal with the fruit? Why was it so wrong for Eve to eat the fruit? Why were Adam and Eve expelled from the garden for this?

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22,24

God had put only one restriction on Adam and Eve. It was a test of their love and loyalty to Him. So by eating the fruit it was rebellion against God's law and authority. By rejecting God's commandment they allied themselves with Satan and separated them from God (Isaiah 59:2). God had to remove them from the garden or else they would have become immortal sinners.

What does the Bible have to say about the methods Satan uses against us?

• Deceives/persecutes - Revelation 12:9, 13
• Falsely accuses/murders - Revelation 12:10; John 8:44
• Makes war on God's people - Revelation 12:17
• Imprisons - Revelation 2:10
• Works miracles/lies - Revelation 16:13, 14; John 8:44
• Brings disease/afflicts - Job 2:7
• Slanders - "Devil" means "slanderer"
• Quotes/misquotes Bible - Matthew 4:5,6
• Traps/ensnares - 2 Timothy 2:26; 1 Peter 5:8
• Binds/prompts betrayal - Luke 13:16; John 13:2, 21
• Possesses/hinders - Luke 22:3-5; 1 Thess. 2:18
• Appears as angel of light - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
• Calls fire from heaven - Revelation 13:13

Satan can do many things to deceive. He has all his demons as well which can appear as anyone. This is why it is so important to rely only on the Bible as your one source of truth.

Do we have any example of how powerful are Satan's temptations and strategies? Yes, he was able to convince 1/3 of the angels (Revelation 12:3-9); Adam and Eve (Genesis 3); all but 8 people in Noah's day (1 Peter 3:20). He will make the lost feel like they are saved (Matthew 7:21-23). Almost the entire world will follow him (Revelation 13:3). Few will be saved (Matthew 7:14; 22:14).

It's incredible how successful he is. Before the end he will appear as an angelic being posing as Christ. His deception will be so great that the only safe thing to do is not to go see him (Matthew 24:23-26). If you refuse to look and listen then Jesus will protect you (John 10:29). We will talk more about Jesus' second coming later.

The good news is that the devil will receive his punishment in the end. But what will this be?

Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:40-42.
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where^[a] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41
“ ...Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you. ... And shall be no more forever.”’” Ezekial 28:18,19

As necessary as this is, it will cause God much grief. These are creatures that He created and he loves them. Unfortunately they turned away from Him and these are the consequences. God does not force anyone to love Him since love does not use force.

So what about this problem of sin? How is it finally settled? Will it be a problem again?

“ As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:11 (see also Phillipians 2:10, 11; Isaiah 45:23)
What do you conspire against the Lord? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time. Nahum 1:9

So here we see that two things will happen. One, all creation including the devil and his followers will bow down and confess that God is fair. Second, God will destroy all sin and sinners so that it will never rise again.

What is it that makes sure that sin never rises again?

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, Hebrews 2:14

Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus makes this possible.