Originally posted by divegeester
Can you provide a scripture, preferably more than one, to support this specific claim about God's specific motivations for satan's rule?
Yes, several come to mind.
(Genesis 3:1) Now the serpent was the most cautious of all the wild animals of the field that Jehovah God had made. So it said to the woman: “Did God really say that you must not eat from every tree of the garden?”
(Genesis 3:4, 5) At this the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die. 5 For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.”
Here in the Garden of Eden the Devil was challenging the righteousness and the rightfulness of Jehovah God's sovereignty.
In effect the Devil was saying that Jehovah was withholding freedom from mankind that would contribute to their happiness. He was also questioning whether mankind's ability to govern their affairs and continue living was dependent on their obedience to God.
In addition the Devil questioned if Jehovah was dishonest in saying that disobedience would lead to death. And so, in effect the Devil was questioning whether God really had the right to rule over mankind.
Jehovah could have wiped the Devil and Adam and Eve out and started over, but, that would not have answered the questions that were raised.
Jehovah's entire angelic organization would not have had an answer and some at least would have also rebelled as the Devil did.
Since the Devil's assignment was to cover (or administer) the Earth and mankind Jehovah did not destroy him.
(Ezekiel 28:13-16) You were in Eʹden, the garden of God. You were adorned with every precious stone —Ruby, topaz, and jasper; chrysʹo·lite, onyx, and jade; sapphire, turquoise, and emerald; And their settings and mountings were made of gold. They were prepared on the day you were created. 14 I assigned you as the anointed covering cherub. You were on the holy mountain of God, and you walked about among fiery stones. 15 You were faultless in your ways from the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you. 16 Because of your abundant trade, You became filled with violence, and you began to sin. So I will cast you out as profane from the mountain of God and destroy you, O covering cherub, away from the stones of fire.
Jehovah let him live to answer the questions he raised.
That is why the Devil could tempt Jesus at
(Luke 4:5, 6) So he brought him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time. 6 Then the Devil said to him: “I will give you all this authority and their glory, because it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Note that Jesus did not deny that the Devil had that authority!
Jesus said further
(John 12:31) Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. and
(John 14:30) I will not speak with you much more, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has no hold on me. and
(John 16:11) then concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
So, in essence Jehovah had motivation to allow the Devil to live in order to prove out the righteousness and the rightness of His rule