Question:  Dear Greg,

            I have been reading many of the resources at www.ptm.org. and I find them very helpful.  One question I have is if God allows man to have his own free will.  If he does, then what about in the book of Revelation when God intervenes and pours plagues and catastrophic events onto the earth?  Is this not forcing mankind to give up his own free will?

            Steve

Answer:  Dear Steve,

            Revelation is simply explaining that the ongoing, cosmic battle between God and the forces of evil of this world, whether expressed in religion, political or military ways, will eventually be ended, and that God will win.  It is a book that encourages those who trust in God and the Savior, the Lamb of God, for their salvation, as opposed to those who put their trust in human innovations and institutions.

            Humans always have a choice.  God has never, nor will he ever force any human to side with God, to accept Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords.  It may be a little easier to support human government and religion vs. God when God is not as active in human affairs than it will be when God makes his power and might known.  However, humans still have a choice.  Two books are mentioned in Revelation chapter 20—we may choose which book into which our name is written.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht