I agree that there motivation is different, and that this is of vital importance, but I also believe they are governed by different principles in terms of what they actually do. For example, I don't believe God causes death and destruction as a means of accomplishing His ends, because I believe these are principles which are fundamentally contrary to the principles of His kingdom.

Satan is the author of sin and all its results, so he is the author of death and destruction. Satan causes these things to happen, and whenever they happen, he is ultimately responsible. God works to prevent these things from happening, although at times He is constrained to permit them. When Satan permits someone to die, and does nothing to save them, he is allowing something to happen which he himself caused, or, at a minimum, is responsible for. When God permits someone to suffer, whether death, or destruction, or any other evil which is the fruit of sin, God is permitting something which He did not cause, nor is responsible for, so I see that God and Satan are acting differently in this case, not simply that their motivation is different.

But even if He does not cause the person's death, He would still be letting the person die, and this would still be against His principles.
However, I consider that God is partly responsible for the death of the wicked at the lake of fire, as I believe that the resurrection of the wicked in order to be judged is a step that could be skipped.

You didn't answer my questions. I'm shocked. You have made it clear that the Father and the Son are alike loving and merciful and just. "He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes."

The question is - Why did Jesus command godly people like Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and Elijah to kill people?

In the humane hunter story the father, who opposes hunting, teaches his son, who insists on hunting, how to kill animals in the most humane way. In so doing, the father runs the risk of people thinking he approves of hunting. The compromise is worth it. It is the lesser of evils.

Again, Jesus commanded godly people to kill ungodly people. He even commanded laws requiring and regulating the execution of capital punishment. In the past, you said commanding and legislating death was not Jesus' will or desire. Seems to me you believe the unholy expectations of God by Jew and Gentile alike forced Jesus to behave uncharacteristically of God. He was willing to compromise in order to win their respect and devotion long enough to wean them from killing people.

In light of this insight, do you think killing people in battle and executing capital punishment reflect the principles of God's kingdom or Satan's kingdom?

PS - Tom, I really hope you answer the questions asked above. It would be unproductive and unfortunate if you waltz around them without actually answering them.

MM, has Tom ever "waltzed" around your questions without actually answering them? Please show evidence. If you think Tom didn't just answer your question, perhaps you could look at where was the first time Moses was commanded to kill people?

You have said only God has the right to kill people, but what gives here? If it were true (Not saying you agree with it) that we are to have God's character perfectly reproduced in us, would God have us kill people? Did godly people like Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and Elijah have God's character perfectly reproduced in them?

Kland, would you mind summarizing what Tom believes?

I believe he believes very similar to what I believe and am shocked that you keep saying you have no idea what he believes when you find nothing else to respond to him with. What I understand Tom to believe is that we should look to Christ to see what God is like, although I understand you disagree with that idea. He does not believe that God uses the methods of Satan nor works with and directs him to destroy those who won't accept Him, nor in any way uses principles of Satan's kingdom. Often times, people refuse God's ideal for them. Rather than zapping them with fire, He works with them as much as they allow in order to bring them back to Him. Saying God works with people who refuses His ideal will is not saying that that is God's ideal will.

Where was the first time Moses was commanded to kill people?

Kland, you didn't address the questions I asked Tom. Please answer them for Tom.

I thought I did. Which ones?

Where was the first time Moses was commanded to kill people?

http://marshill.org/teaching/2010/11/07/returning-to-the-field/

Here is a sermon discussing the parable about the king who threw a wedding party for the guests who were uninterested in attending. It gives an interesting view of the parable, well in line with the threat title.