Thursday: Limits and Rules
Daily Lesson for Thursday 6th of March 2025
The cosmic conflict is primarily a dispute over God’s character, caused by the devil’s slanderous allegations against God’s goodness, justice, and government. It is a kind of cosmic covenant lawsuit.
Such a conflict cannot be settled by sheer power but, instead, requires demonstration.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
If serious allegations are brought against a person in power, the best (and maybe only) way to defeat the allegations would be to allow for a free, fair, and open investigation. If the allegations threaten the entire government (of love), they cannot simply be swept under the rug.
What does all this mean for understanding the cosmic conflict and relating to the problem of evil? If God makes a promise, would He ever break it? Of course not. Insofar as God agrees to rules of engagement, His future action would be (morally) limited. As such, evil will fall within the temporary domain of the kingdom of darkness.
Read Mark 6:5 and Mark 9:29. What do these texts display about how even divine action might be integrally related to such factors as faith and prayer?
In both these narratives, some limits or rules of engagement seem to be in place, dynamically related to such things as faith and prayer. Elsewhere we see abundant evidence that prayer makes a difference in this world, opening up avenues for divine action that otherwise might not be (morally) available. However, we should not make the mistake of thinking that faith and prayer are the only factors. There are likely many other factors of which we might be unaware.
This fits with what we’ve seen previously about rules of engagement. As we said, there are ceratin rules of engagement in the great controversy that limit what God can morally do, at least for now.
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Read Romans 8:18 and Revelation 21:3-4. How do these texts give you confidence that even though there are many things we do not know, we can trust that God knows what is best, wants what is best, and will bring an end to evil and usher in an eternity of bliss? |
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It is fascinating to see a God who is Almighty, and sovereign being bound by certain limits and rules during the ongoing great controversy. God has power to annihilate Satan and his followers instantly but has constrained Himself to allow his justice and love to vindicate his character. God operates within self-imposed limits and rules to demonstrate that His rule is based on the principles of righteousness, love and justice rather than force. Why does God operate within self-imposed limits and rules?
1. God is love and His character never changes - (1 John 4:8)
2. God respects free will and He wants to preserve it - (Joshua 24:15, Revelation 3:20)
3. God wants to demonstrate transparency and justice - (Job 1-2, Revelation 15:3-4)
4. God does not want to His laws (moral) - (Psalm 119:89, Matthew 5:17-18)
5. God wants to win the great conflict on moral grounds and not by force - (Colossians 2:15, Revelation 12:10-11)
It is important to remind ourselves of some of the rules of engagement in this conflict.
a) God respects the free will - (Joshua 24:15).
b) God works through truth, but Satan works through deception - (John 8:32).
c) We limit God’s intervention by our choices - (Revelation 3:20).
d) Prayer grants God divine permission to intervene in human affairs - (Daniel 10:12-13).
e) Human choices have consequences - (Galatians 6:7-8).
f) Satan has got limited power - (Job 1:12).
g) Jesus has already won the victory - (Revelation 20:10, Revelation 12:11).
What guarantee do we have that we shall stay safe within these rules of engagement?
1. To submit to God and the devil will flee
2. To put on the whole of God’s armor
3. To stay connected to God through prayer
4. To live a life of obedience in accordance with the Word of God
5. To have faith in Jesus
“For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believ
Many thanks for this in-depth and enlightening explanation dear brother. I shall certainly be using and adding this information to my notes. Abundant blessings from the Almighty.
I think most of us have some idea of an unlevel playing field. I have an illustration of this but I warn you, I don't come out of this one looking like a saint.
Back in the days before computer games my brother-in-law, Allan, and I decided to play Mastermind while we were on a family picnic. It was a game where you have coloured pegs that are hidden from the other player and he has to guess the colour and order of the pegs. After each guess, the person who has set the pegs gives clues as to how many were the correct colour and how many were in the right place. So the game comes down to a bit of guesswork and skill in logic.
We played a couple of games and then I noticed that even though I could not see the pegs in Allan's game I could see a faint reflection of the colour in the background. I tested my theory out and sure enough I was right. Now I have to admit to playing several more games with Allan, but in my defence, it was not because I could win by cheating, but I enjoyed seeing him trying to work out how I was cheating.
The problem with the Good versus Evil battle is that one side plays by the rules and the other cheats. While we know the battle is won, we still have to live in the battle and part of our job as Christians is to help the wounded.
We have talked a lot about causes and roles in this battle and if you to let this discussion loose in the secular world, most people would not have a clue what we are talking about. Our responsibility is to share our knowledge of this battle in a practical way that people can understand. The battle is complex, but the argument is simple - help the wounded.
If we go back to the book of Job, there are a few texts we often overlook in our rush to read the theology of the battle between Good and Evil.
I believe that even if we had lost the rest of the book of Job from that point on, we would have been left with a powerful lesson of our responsiblity in this battle. Sharing the pain is a powerful argument.
Thank you for this enlightening illustration Maurice. I wonder if there was a bit of smug, self-satisfaction in using your trick to outwit Allen?
To elaborate on my Sunday's comment about pride. I wonder if the very two first thoughts from Lucifer's mind, (that led to his downfall, and thus to all the misery in the universe) were: 1) You know? I have a very good position here next to God. And then a follow up thought,
2) Actually I am the only one qualified enough to have it, there is no one more capable than I.
Both of these thoughts were correct, technically, and for God to instantly destroy Satan for thinking them would even today seem a bit harsh.
I wonder if the life of Job stuck in the craw of Satan because he saw in Jobs life a reflection of his own position in heaven. In summary of Job's wealth and influence it is written: "So that this man was the greatest of all the men of the East." (Job 1:3 KJV)
(Much like at one time Lucifer was once one of the greatest angels in heaven.)
Yet he refused to be filled with pride for possessing such great wealth, or for being the head of such a prestigious household. The whispered thoughts of flattery that found reception in the ears of Eve found no fertile ground in the heart of Job. He could have prayed as that Pharisee did later, "Lord I thank thee that I am not like other men..." (Luke 18:11) But Jobs humility struck directly at Satan's pride, and for God to pointedly mention it to Satan must have irked him to no end.
Pride cannot survive that shattering impact against that stone of God's self-sacrificing love. (Matthew 21:44)
Have a blessed morning
Steven
Allan actually came to the conclusion I was cheating pretty quickly, but I kept telling him that I was using the available information! Hmmm, I will think up a use for that as an illustration sometime! 🙂
This is so very interesting, Maurice Ashton. I wonder if Jesus and His Apostles got involved with this sort of "frivolity?" But I do appreciate your sharing about how involved Jobs' friends became with Jobs' "Physical afflictions," for seven entire days. I have yet to know of anyone (including myself) to do this sort of close and physical involvement with another person's physical sufferings. Yet after all of that demonstration by Jobs' friends, they turned out to be "Spiritual and Phycological pain" to add to his physical afflictions.
Okay, so I was going to wait until the end of the week to comment on this lesson, but I feel I cannot wait anymore. I am not comfortable going on and on about "Rules of Engagement" as the lesson is titled for the week. Not one verse we have read has said anything about rules in the cosmic conflict. We have seen some passages that show God having some limits on His actions, at least as far as we can see, but I find the idea that there are "rules of engagement" highly problematic.
First of all, while the lesson admits we don't know what the rules are, when it calls these rules a covenant, it very much creates the picture of some kind of sporting event or tournament where the rules are agreed on and then everyone plays. I think that picture is extremely destructive as it makes Satan out to be equal to God on some level. It's not so different from the ransom theory of atonement where Jesus buys us back from Satan.
I don't believe Satan has any real power and God does not need to share his "rules" with him. Whatever rules God has, Satan would challenge anyone as he is an accuser. I don't think God is concerned with Satan feeling He is fair as Satan does not feel this way anyway. His concern is with the universe and the angels and unfallen worlds. And in my mind, the only rule He operates by is love. He is doing whatever will most demonstrate His love (long-term of course) and what will lead to the salvation of the most people. Of course we don't understand His choices, but I would much prefer to believe that is His motivation and not some contract that was drawn up with Satan.
As for Satan being the ruler of the world, he has some power, but it's because we gave him that power. Adam and Eve chose to let him rule. I don't feel God gave him that power but He chooses to respect humanity's choice to push Him aside and choose someone else. Ultimately Satan is under the jurisdiction of God and God does as He chooses in his regard. If it was any other way, would Satan have even permitted Jesus to come to earth?
And yes, I know Satan told Jesus all authority was given to him in Luke 4:6, but is that truth or another of Satan's lies? Just because he said it doesn't mean it's true. He distorted scripture and he can distort this fact too.
Saying all of this, I don't mean to suggest that Satan's doesn't wreak all sorts of havoc on the world. He definitely does and God has given him the opportunity to demonstrate his kingdom, but God's control is always supreme. I like the way the NIV translates it, calling Satan the prince of this world. He may be the prince, but God is and always will be king.
Christina,
I appreciate the thoughts you’ve shared, but I would like to offer a different perspective, particularly on the idea of "rules of engagement" in the cosmic conflict. I agree that God’s ultimate guiding principle is love, but I also believe that within this love, He operates within certain parameters that reflect fairness and transparency—both for created beings and the universe at large.
You raised the point that Scripture doesn’t explicitly outline these "rules," but I would argue that the Bible does give us insight into the concept of limits in the conflict. For example, the book of Job is a clear demonstration of how Satan could only go so far in testing Job because God set limits (Job 1:12, 2:6). This suggests that Satan cannot act with complete impunity and that there are indeed boundaries in place.
While I agree with you that Satan is not equal to God—far from it—God is still concerned about the perception of His justice, not only among humanity but also among the angels and unfallen worlds (see 1 Corinthians 4:9). The cosmic conflict isn’t just about defeating Satan, but about revealing God’s character and governance to the entire universe. In this sense, Satan’s accusations against God (e.g., Revelation 12:10) are not simply shrugged off. God allows Satan to operate under certain constraints because the process of redemption and judgment involves allowing every created being to see the contrast between God’s kingdom and Satan’s rebellion.
While you mentioned that God’s only rule is love, it’s important to remember that love, by its nature, involves freedom of choice and respect for that choice. The "rules of engagement" in the cosmic conflict reflect this aspect of God's character, where He allows Satan a certain amount of freedom but not absolute control. This is not because God is obligated to Satan, but because God values transparency and fairness in how He governs the universe.
As for Satan's claim in Luke 4:6, I believe that it reflects the reality of what humanity forfeited to him at the Fall. Jesus later referred to Satan as "the ruler of this world" (John 12:31), but this is only true because of human choice, not because Satan has any inherent power. God’s sovereignty is still supreme, but in this cosmic conflict, He has allowed Satan to operate within boundaries to demonstrate the consequences of rebellion.
Ultimately, I believe the "rules of engagement" highlight God's commitment to fairness, love, and the freedom of choice—values that are central to His character.
Thanks, Beverley. I don't think I disagree with anything you say; I think we are looking at the situation from different standpoints. It's probably the language of the lesson (which of course is not divine) that is giving me so much trouble. I think it makes Satan into too much of an active player. I agree with you that everything God does or refrains from doing is meant to demonstrate His goodness and the character of His Kingdom.
That being said, the reference to God making rules of engagement (as listed in the lesson today) really makes it sound like God is bound by a constitution of sorts and I don't really feel that's the case. We humans have written down laws because we need them. I don't believe God is bound in the same way anymore than His creation of natural laws means He can't violate them (and He certainly does at times).
That's why I feel the ultimate rule of engagement is love because that is the essence of God and His Kingdom. And God cannot violate that, not because He's forced to, but because that is His very being.
Free-will is trickier. From a moral standpoint, I do believe that God never will force someone to follow Him. That principle of free-will will never be violated. But to say that God will always give His creations the full freedom to do whatever they want cannot be true. Daniel 2:21 tells us that God raises up kings and brings them down. Is that not to some extent intervening in free will? When our guardian angel protects us from something that would harm us, is that not interfering with someone or something's free will? When God works on the hearts of the people to do something, isn't He interfering in free will to some extent? I think so. He is not forcing them to serve Him as God, but in other areas He will get involved. Anything less makes God the watchmaker who left the clock alone.
Now that still doesn't answer all our questions about why God heals one and not another, why God brings down one dictator and not another. There are things we have no idea about but God acts or doesn't for the good of all in eternity. I fully accept that and the limits He chooses for our good.
But I don't see God drawing up some agreement where he says to Satan "Okay, you can let Sally's parents abuse her, but you have to allow Bobby to be adopted so he won't be abused, and you can give Bill cancer but you can't give Alice cancer" and so on. Yes, that seemed to the case with Job, but was that a special case to demonstrate something about how Satan works? I feel it is. Otherwise, you really do have a chess match between God and Satan.
Hello Christina! You make some good points, and I agree that the problem of suffering is a difficult one to process in light of an Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent God. Some people accept that Satan is the cause of all suffering, but then blame God for it's existence because he doesn't keep the evil from happening. He is seen in the eyes of many as an accessory to the "crime." Others dispute God’s Omnipotence because in their eyes he doesn't have the power to stop Satan.
This side of heaven we will have many questions about the whys and ways of God. Our finite mind can't see how God can still work all things together for good, when so many things that happen are anything but good. In heaven we will understand. Until then "when you don't understand, when you can't see his plan, when you can't trace His hand, trust his heart."
The pen of inspiration answers this conumdrum perfectly.
“The Father’s presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by our Lord’s permission, and ‘all things’ that are permitted ‘work together for good to them that love God.’ Romans 8:28.”7
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 71.
This song has comforted me many times when the pain of living seems to block out the goodness of God.
"Trust His Heart"
… All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don't see
How they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
… Our Father knows what's best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don't see Him,
Remember you're never alone
… God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart
Trust His Heart
… He sees the master plan
And he holds our future in His hand,
So don't live as those who have no hope,
All our hope is found in Him
… We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry He's weaving you and me,
To someday be just like Him
… God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart
… He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you
… God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart
… When you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
… When you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart
Trust His Heart
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Babbie Y. Mason / Eddie Carswell
Trust His Heart lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
I agree fully Christina and, like you, have almost commented earlier about the Biblically unsound notion that God is “bound” or constrained by so called “rules.” This is just another example of humans projecting onto God how they themselves think and act and is evidence, I believe, that we are falling for yet another of Satan’s lies. These so-called “rules of engagement” are how humans function, not how Christ defeats Satan.
I believe that it is more Biblically sound to think of the cosmic conflict as a battle between characters… Christ’s and Satan’s. Here, the author is correct when stating in today’s lesson that The cosmic conflict is primarily a dispute over God’s character…
God thinks, acts and manages the universe out of His character of Love and Truth. In contrast, Satan acts, thinks and “manages” his followers out of his character of hate, deception and destruction (John 10:10). Christ and Satan must operate out of their characters and cannot do otherwise. That is why God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) anymore than Satan can tell the truth (John 8:44).
Again, both God and Satan must operate only out of their characters and cannot do otherwise. Does this “limit” God? Of course not! (Isaiah 46:10; Psalm 115:3; Proverbs 19:21; Daniel 4:35). Does He allow evil to run its course in order to vindicate His character of love for the entire universe? Yes!
Everything God does or allows flows directly out of His character of love and goodness (1 John 4:8; Mark 10:18). In contrast, everything Satan does flows directly out of his character (e.g., John 8:44 NLT).
This does not mean that God is “bound” or “limited” by some arbitrary rules that we know nothing about. Quite the opposite, God has given us more than ample evidence of His character and thus, evidence of how He operates. Likewise, Satan has also given us more than enough evidence of his character and how he operates.
The full revelation of God’s and Satan’s character is being revealed in the great controversy so that the entire universe can make an informed decision on Who is Love and who is a liar… Who is the Creator and who is the destroyer (John 10:10; Revelation 9:11)… who controls by force and Who attracts by Love. The universe will then decide Who they will love and worship forever and affliction shall not arise a second time (Nahum 1:9).
We already know how it ends (Revelation 21:4 NLT).
In the end, Love wins… Truth wins (Revelation 12:11; 1 John 4:4). Sin, lies, deception and their natural consequence lose (Romans 6:23).
Praise God.
Praying for others, known as intercessory prayer, plays a significant role in the cosmic conflict by inviting God's intervention in the lives of those for whom we pray. In this sense, our prayers can be seen as giving God "permission" to act on behalf of others, especially in cases where they may not be seeking God's help themselves.
Since God honors human free will, He often waits for an invitation to act, and intercessory prayer becomes a way to ask God to work in the lives of others, even when they may not be aware of or actively seeking His guidance. This does not override the free will of the person we are praying for, but it allows God to move in ways that respect their autonomy while answering the prayers of those interceding on their behalf.
The Bible provides many examples of intercessory prayer, such as Moses praying for the Israelites (Exodus 32) or Jesus praying for His disciples (John 17). These prayers invite God to extend His mercy, grace, protection, or guidance to others. In this way, intercessory prayer is a vital component of the spiritual battle, as it gives God the opportunity to work for the good of others, providing spiritual strength, protection, and blessings that may help them in their journey toward God or shield them from Satan’s attacks.
By lifting others up in prayer, we join with God in His work, becoming agents in the cosmic conflict who ask for divine intervention on behalf of others, demonstrating both love and faith in God's power to act.
Thank you for the reminder to continue in intercessory prayer. I continue to pray for family and, at times feel discouraged as nothing has changed. I know God’s timing is often different than mine Lord teach me patience
God did not create the world to be the mess that it is currently, thankfully it won't always be this way. An enemy has defaced God's masterpiece of creation and humanity. Yet, glimmers of God’s Glory still shine through the shattered pieces of our lives like a kaleidoscope. Sin and it's devastating effects, have left it's imprint upon all of God’s creation, but sin and Satan need not, and will not have the final word in our lives unless we allow them to do so.
Romans 8 sums up the cosmic conflict we are all involved in well. Romans 8:37 crescendos perfectly, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. Amplied Version
There will be a somber moment in heaven when those that have refused the free gift of redemption will suffer the consequences of their choices. This will fill our hearts, as well as God's heart with sadness. Then again, as He has done in countless times of sadness and sorrow in this life, God, Himself, will wipe away those tears one last time and the former things will be remembered no more. However, one last question remains. Who will wipe away God's tears?
If there is a town with an infection spreading thru the town and a lot of people are sick. A doctor comes to town with a cure enough for everyone, but only a few people will trust the doctor enough to take the cure and be healed. The rest are still sick not because there is some limitation on what the doctor can do but because they would not trust the doctor.
On Sunday’s lesson it states “that God works only by love, and that love, not coercion, is the foundation of His government. This idea, that God works only through the principles emanating from love,” This is God, his character, it is reality, not some made up rules of engagement.
All of God’s actions are always in harmony with His character of love, and the design laws of reality He has constructed all life to exist and operate upon and always will be!
The universe is a grand courtroom, and on the judgment seat presides the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, God Almighty—the Sovereign and Eternal Judge. He is the Supreme Adjudicator, omniscient and all-powerful.
Standing before the heavenly tribunal is the Accuser, the adversary, the prosecutor of the saints—Satan, the relentless litigator seeking to condemn. Observing the trial of the ages are the saints and sinners, the fallen and the faithful, angels who remained steadfast and those who forsook their place.
The Omniscient Judge could render a verdict instantly, for He possesses all knowledge, and His rulings are absolute. Yet, He restrains His divine judgment, allowing both sides to present their case, submit evidence, and argue their plea before the assembled court of creation. Why does the Sovereign Ruler not swiftly pass sentence? It is for the sake of all present—that they may hear the arguments, scrutinize the testimony, and weigh the evidence for themselves.
Through this trial of truth, all will arrive at an undeniable conviction, choosing with absolute certainty which government they will serve. And in that final, irrevocable ruling, evil will be exposed, condemned, and forever silenced, ensuring that sin will never rise again throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.
Courtney,
That is beautiful and true. Thank you!
God is my judge! Because I have Jesus as a lawyer! I'm human and full of defects, but Jesus is my defender because He died for me as I am and will work on me until the end! Glory be to Him!
I can't get away with being the devils advoquate. I had a question down that line, but will hold my tongue.
Happy Sabbath all.