If Jesus causes disease, death, destruction, of what use do you think Jesus needs of satan?

Would you be saying that Satan wants to destroy everyone, but God only destroys some people? Either He wants to, or He does things He doesn't want to.

"They set the ark upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, drove the cart. David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of musical instruments. “And when they came to Nachon’s threshing-floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” Uzzah was angry with the oxen, because they stumbled. He showed a manifest distrust of God, as though he who had brought the ark from the land of the Philistines, could not take care of it. Angels who attended the ark struck down Uzzah for presuming impatiently to put his hand upon the ark of God. {1SP 410.1}

OK. Who destroyed Uzzah?

God or Uzzah?

The angels did God's will for the sake of righteousness.

The same God who destroyed Uzzah for distrusting in His strength also destroyed the Philistines for looking into the Ark.

IT IS SIN THAT DESTROYS! Sin causes God to remove His protection from the wicked and the righteous.

When men become God's enemies through sin, God removes His protective Spirit, and He uses every means possible to either win them back or destroy them. Righteous angels destroying the wicked is His last line of defense. He has many other ways of accomplishing that end.

Uzzah was someone who was righteous being used by Satan to cause men to fall from distrust. He was inside the protective sphere of God being used by Satan to cause confusion. God had to act with His last line of defense.

James - please clarify your position - is it as I have posted above, that the way God destroys is not by exection directly, but in this way, sinners place themselves beyond His protection. God warns, corrects, reproves, and points out the only path of safety; then if those who have been the objects of His special care will follow their own course independent of the Spirit of God, after repeated warnings, if they choose their own way, then He does not commission His angels to prevent Satan's decided attacks upon them. And this is true in all cases. Do you agree?

APL, Did you notice the quote I used says that God's angels destroyed Uzzah?

"And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” Uzzah was angry with the oxen, because they stumbled. He showed a manifest distrust of God, as though he who had brought the ark from the land of the Philistines, could not take care of it. Angels who attended the ark struck down Uzzah for presuming impatiently to put his hand upon the ark of God. {1SP 410.1}

These are God's righteous angels striking Uzzah down.

"Israel had been taught to regard the ark with awe and reverence. Only once a year was the high priest permitted to behold the ark of God. Even the heathen Philistines had not dared to remove its coverings. Angels of heaven, unseen, ever attended it in all its journeyings. The irreverent daring of the people at Beth-shemesh was speedily punished. Many were smitten with sudden death. {EP 428.2}

God has destroyed many people for their rebellion and hatred of His people.

God is in charge of hell, not Satan. God is in charge of the wicked being destroyed at the brightness of the second coming of His Son. Righteous angels have lifted their hands to take life for the Father of creation.

But He does some times let Satan or nature do the deed.

So it is both.

"Like Israel of old the wicked destroy themselves; they fall by their iniquity. By a life of sin, they have placed themselves so out of harmony with God, their natures have become so debased with evil, that the manifestation of His glory is to them a consuming fire." {GC 37.1}

"I am instructed that when the Lord’s time comes, should no change have taken place in the hearts of proud, ambitious human beings, men will find that the hand that had been strong to save will be strong to destroy. No earthly power can stay the hand of God. No material can be used in the erection of buildings that will preserve them from destruction when God’s appointed time comes to send retribution on men for their disregard of His law and for their selfish ambition." {CCh 38.2}

"The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands, will be exercised by evil angels when He permits. There are forces now ready, and only waiting the divine permission, to spread desolation everywhere. {GC 614.2}

I was just corrected that the Philistines did not remove the cover of the Ark. That you Father. In the name of Jesus amen.

"The same destructive power exercised by holy angels when God commands, will be exercised by evil angels when He permits." I realize you believe this insight must be interpreted to mean holy angels allow evil angels to cause disease, death, and destruction. I appreciate you explaining why. However, my conclusion is different. I do not believe nature is self-acting. It depends on Jesus to act. If Jesus ceased to act nature would cease to act. Jesus permits evil angels to wield nature as a weapon but they cannot empower nature to act. Holy angels exercise destructive power when Jesus commands. Evil angels exercise the same destructive power when Jesus permits.

Evil angels must be allowed to demonstrate their point of view. Nevertheless, Jesus sets limits and works to ensure evil men and angels do not exceed them.

The problem with pantheism is that God becomes the cause of everything. This is what you are saying in your statement just now. However, on the day of final judgment, God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil. You can't make that claim.