The nature of God’s omniscience—that is, His all-knowingness—and the existence of free will are profound theological concepts that have been discussed and debated by theologians for centuries. According to the Bible, God is omniscient, meaning He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. This is affirmed in several passages, such as Psalm 147:5, which says, “Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.”

The question of how God did not know Lucifer (also known as Satan or the Devil) would turn evil, or if He knew and why He allowed it, touches on these deep issues. The Bible portrays Lucifer as a created being, a high-ranking angel who chose to rebel against God. Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-17 are often interpreted as references to Lucifer’s fall, depicting his pride and desire to ascend above God, which led to his downfall.

Given God’s omniscience, it follows that He would have known about Lucifer’s potential for rebellion. However, the Bible also teaches that God created angels and humans with free will—the ability to choose between good and evil. This capacity for choice is essential for the existence of genuine love, obedience, and relationship with God. In this framework, Lucifer’s rebellion was not outside God’s knowledge, but a possibility within the parameters of created beings having free will.

The presence of evil and suffering in the world, as initiated by Lucifer’s rebellion and perpetuated by human sin, raises significant questions about God’s purposes and the nature of divine providence. The Bible presents a God who is sovereign over history, working out His purposes even in the presence of evil. The ultimate expression of this is found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, through which God addresses the problem of evil and offers redemption to a fallen world.

In attempting to understand the relationship between God’s omniscience, the existence of evil, and the reality of free will, it is important to approach these mysteries with humility, recognizing the limitations of human understanding in fully comprehending the nature of God. The Bible affirms that God is wise, just, and loving, guiding believers to trust in His good purposes even amid questions and challenges.