Why Does God Allow Suffering?/WHY SO LONG?

Why, though, has Jehovah allowed suffering to go on for so long?  And why does not not prevent bad things from happening?  Well, consider two things that the teacher in our illustration would not do. First, he would not stop the rebels student from presenting his case. Second, the teacher would not help the rebel to make his case. Similarly, consider two things that Jehovah has determined not to do. First, he has not stopped Satan and those who side with him to prove that they are right.  Allow time to pass has thus been necessary.  In the thousands of years of human history, mankind has been able to try every form of self-rule, or human government. Mankind has made some advances in science and other fields, but injustice, poverty, crime, and war have grown ever worse.  Human rule has now been shown  to a failure.  

Second, Jehovah has not helped Satan to rule this world. If God were to prevent horrible crimes, for instance, would he not, in effect, be supporting the case of the rebels? Would God not be making people think that perhaps humans can govern themselves without disastrous results?  If Jehovah were to act in that way, he would become party to a lie.  However, "it is impossible for God to lie." -Hebrews 6:18.

What, though, about all the harm that has been done during the long rebellion against God?  We do well to remember that Jehovah is almighty. Therefore, he can and will undo the effects of mankind's suffering.  As we  have already learned, the ruining of our planet will be undone by the turning of the earth into Paradise.  The effects of sin will be removed through faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice, and the effects of death will be reversed by means of the resurrection.  God will thus use Jesus "to break up the works of the Devil."  (1 John 3:8)  Jehovah will bring all of this about at just the right time. We can be glad that he has not acted sooner, for his patience has given us the opportunity to learn the truth and to serve him.  (2 Peter 3:9, 10) Meanwhile, God has  been act8ively seeking sincere worshipers and helping them to endure any suffering that may come upon them in this troubled world. - John 4:23; 1 Corinthians 10:13. 

Some might wonder, Could all this suffering have been prevented if God has created Adam and Even in such a way that they could not rebel?  To answer that question, you need to remember a  precious gift that Jehovah has given you. 

Next time: Why Does God Allow Suffering?/HOW WILL YOU USE THE GIFT FROM GOD?

From the book: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH?