Omnipotence, Omniscience, Omnisapience

The history of the world reflects the rise and fall of kings and nations, exemplified by leaders like Egypt’s pharaohs, Rome’s emperors, and France’s Napoleon.
The narrative invokes the story of Daniel, a biblical figure whose experience serves as a moral lesson about divine sovereignty.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Rule
- Not a king in the traditional sense but ruled Babylon without competition.
- Commanded his subjects at will, symbolizing absolute power.
- Passive pride; exclaims in confidence about Babylon's greatness: "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built…?" (Daniel 4:30)
Divine Reprimand
- A voice from heaven declares that his kingdom has departed from him (Daniel 4:31-32).
- He will live with the beasts of the field, eating grass like an ox.
- The story illustrates his swift downfall from opulence to insanity, emphasizing the fleeting nature of power and realization of divine superiority.

Nebuchadnezzar's experience illustrates that neglecting acknowledgment of God as the real king leads to downfall.
Attributes of God
- Omnipotent: All-powerful, having complete power over all situations.
- Omniscient: All-knowing, possessing perfect knowledge of all instances.
- Omnipresent: Present everywhere, demonstrating control over every aspect of existence.
Psalm References
- Psalm 33:6-9 emphasizes God's authoritative word creating the universe.
- Psalm 33:10 illustrates God's laughter at nations that oppose Him, reflecting His superior wisdom and authority.

Divine Simplicity
- God’s power is not separate from His essence; His essence is power, indicating absolute reliance on no one for strength.
- Contrary to military leaders who depend on their soldiers, God’s authority is self-sufficient.
Absolute vs. Ordinate Power
- Absolute Power: God’s capability to do all things.
- This includes actions He may choose not to perform for various reasons.
- Ordinate Power: Refers specifically to what God decrees and intends to accomplish; part of His absolute power.
Jesus’ Authority
- Jesus could leverage His power to command legions but chooses a sacrificial path for greater divine purposes.

Definition of Omnipotence
- The terms signify no limits to His powers; the question, "Can God create a rock so big He cannot lift?" is flawed.
- Omnipotence is displayed through self-control and restraint.
Implications of God’s Knowledge and Power
- Proper understanding treats God's decisions and knowledge as timeless and proactive, not reactive (i.e., God does not learn or evolve).
- Everything exists because God knows it, not the other way around, encompassing totality of existence.

God's omnipotence encompasses all historical events, no matter how trivial.
Salvation
- Ephesians 1:4-6 asserts God's predestination of believers even before creation, illustrating His control in salvific matters.
Evil and God's Sovereignty
- Addresses the paradox of God’s control over evil: although He is sovereign, He is not evil.
- Deuteronomy 32:39: Proclamation of God's control over life and death, and good and evil.

Job's Trials
- Satan’s actions against Job illustrate God’s control; Satan cannot act without divine permission.
- God’s sovereignty is comprehensive, allowing evil yet retaining ultimate goodness.
Cyrus and Prophecy
- Isaiah 45 demonstrates God's control over nations and individuals, preordaining events long before their occurrence.

God indirectly ordains evil while upholding goodness in His own actions.
Assyria's Role: Used as an instrument for punishment while remaining under God’s judgment for its sins.
The Cross
- Despite evil intentions of individuals involved in Jesus's crucifixion, it is revealed as part of God’s predestined plan.
- Aligning moral accounts with divine purpose showcases the duality of God’s sovereign control and human free will.

God controls all aspects of existence, including evil, without becoming evil Himself.
Ultimate assurance lies in God’s goodness accompanying His omnipotence, validating His character despite the presence of evil.