The Jeffrey Epstein Story is an important news story, not for the salacious details of sexual deviancy among the rich, powerful, and famous, but because of what it can remind people of.
The Jeffrey Epstein Story reminds people of the problem of evil. Since the days of the Greek philosophers, some serious thinkers have concerned themselves with considering “the problem of evil.” The question is asked: “How can evil exist in a universe created and governed by an all-powerful-, benevolent [inherently and completely good] God?” While there is no answer to this question that will satisfy all, there is hope in this theological presuppositional thought. “Evil exists in the universe of an omnipotent, benevolent God, who is completely sovereign over it and uses it for His own glory and the highest good” (Dr. William R. Downing) Much good will come out of this situation. That is the promise of God.
If the moral consciousness of the nation is shocked, if there is a cultural reversal towards sexual decadency, if there is a movement to protect children better, and value them more, then the sovereignty of God will be made manifest, for the Lord says to sin, sinners, and their defenders, “This far—But no more!” Rapper R. (Robert) Kelly, are you listening? Sexual pedophilia defense lawyers Ken Starr, Alan Dershowitz, and Roy Black, do you understand? You defended the indefensible. The nation at large is justifiably outraged at what you have done. You enabled a child molester to continue to be a roaming sexual predator for years. The legal system failed to defend truth, justice, and children.
The Jeffrey Epstein Story reminds people of the basic depravity of the human heart. It is nice to believe in the innate goodness of man. The philosophy of the world is that, “While I am not perfect, I am good.” But goodness is a relative term. When a person compares themselves to a mass murderer, such as Ted Bundy, or a sexual pedophile, such as Jeffrey Epstein, they feel morally superior and good. However, when any person compares themselves to the absolute righteousness of the holy and just God, then the testimony of Scripture remains, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
The Biblical revelation is not that all people are good by nature. The Biblical revelation is that “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Some people turn away from righteousness to satisfy their longing for power over others. Some people turn away from God to pursue a life of greed. Some people turn away to pursue the passions of the flesh as Hugh Hefner did by establishing Playboy magazine, and as Jeffrey Epstein has done by assembling a network of underage girls, with the assistance of female recruiters, to cajole and coerce them into engaging in sex acts behinds the walls of his opulent waterfront mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. One victim testifies, “I was 14 years old and still in braces when abuse began.” Now understand this. The same heart in Jeffrey Epstein is found in every person who is born. The only difference is the direction and degree to which the natural depravity of the heart is allowed to turn aside to.
The Jeffrey Epstein Story reminds people that every person needs a Saviour. The world’s best-selling author, James Patterson, has written a detailed book, Filthy Rich, on the billionaire pedophile, detailing as far as possible Epstein’s rise to power and prominence, and then his fall into personal depravity. What is absent from the narrative is any reference to God. It is possible that Jeffery Epstein does not believe in God. Prior to his death, Epstein was enamored with Stephen Hawking, a renowned atheist. The Psalmist notes, “The fool hath said in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1). Right now, Epstein is looking for a political savior, or a defense lawyer to save him from jail. What he needs is the real Saviour of men’s souls. Epstein needs Jesus. As the legal system moves forward, let Christians around the globe pray for Jeffrey Epstein, and the salvation of his soul. May justice be found for the children he has abused. May God’s mercy be extended towards Jeffrey Epstein, a child of the devil. The lusts of his father he has done, and will continue to do, apart from conversion and regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
