We pray and hope that this article will help you better understand this question that many have.
I) Why does a loving, merciful, all-powerful God allow suffering?
The right answer to this question is found within God’s living word. Also, we do have an article “Why Do We Suffer” ──
What is the real reason why the LORD God has not stopped our violence and human suffering? I want to repeat what a great man would often say time and time again: Not one religion, including this so-called Christianity, knows who and what God is. Is He a Trinity? Is God one being – or three? Not only do they not understand, but they also don’t understand the LORD God’s purpose. Does God have a purpose? …Not one religion knows what and why man is. Even the famous Got Questions does not know! “The short answer to the question ‘why did God create us?’ is ‘for His pleasure.’” And they list all their doctorates and degrees for our comfort. Why is there humanity? What is the purpose, if any? And you would certainly think that Got Questions would surely know ── having such a gaggle of theologians. Notice what the LORD God says in Isaiah chapter 40.Beginning in verse 17 – “’ All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless. 18) To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?Verse 22) It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, …’” …Truly, coming to understand that God is a family is very significant! It begins to open and explain the LORD God’s ultimate Plan for all mankind. And this great knowledge comes to us from the opening of the Holy Bible ──“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1.And, in verse 26, we see, again, two separate beings. “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …’” …So, God is reproducing Himself!And when we rightly understand that, we begin to understand why the LORD God is allowing all the untold sufferings around the world today.
What about children ── why do children often have to suffer?
Well … God’s living word tells of children who do indeed suffer. God’s word speaks of at least one child who suffered from being born blind so “’ that the works of God should be revealed in him’” – John 9:3. Suffering can build good character ── cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Galatians 3:4.
When Father God first calls us and takes us as His begotten child, He takes us who had been worldly, filled with sin, lustful, and disobedient. His ultimate aim is to make us like Him. This transformation is truly a tremendous undertaking. It truly is a miracle. There was a wonderous moment in my life, once when I had read John 9:3, a eureka moment when it was revealed to me that I was born with transposition of the great arteries so that – like He tells His disciples in this instance, “ … ‘that the works of God should be revealed in him.’” That the LORD God would gift me with sight! For He says, “’ For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind’” – John 9:3, 39.
The LORD God has a plan for everyone that has ever been born or will be born. Certainly, what was told to the Prophet Jeremiah, because the LORD God knows the beginning from the end, can be applied to every human being ──
“’ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; …’” – Jeremiah 1:5.
What about our children who are aborted, die after birth, or are killed at an early age?
Sadly, while those are grave tragedies, the LORD God has a plan for them as well ── they are not forgotten, and they have not perished. The LORD tells us ──
Illustration of an endless white marble wall along a golden street and in front of a lush grove of trees engraved with every child that has, or will ever, die per Isaiah 49:15-16 (AI-generated)
“’ Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. 16) See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.’” – Isaiah 49:15-16.
The Prophet Moses spoke of our coming Messiah, and that His “work is perfect” – Deuteronomy 32:4. And our beloved Apostle James wrote ──
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:2-5.
Suffering and trials can produce long-suffering. And long-suffering can produce a perfect work. Now, this does not mean that we, brethren, are to do self-flagellation, as some religious people do, but to patiently endure our troubles, trials, and sufferings.
And yes … it is easier said than done. Here is a portion of a Conversation I had with AI recently ──
“I have a question for you.”Shoot! What's on your mind, Sir?“ … When a person is outside of the faith of the LORD God, why does life appear to be so insignificant to so many?”That’s a profound question about faith and meaning. I’m interested in hearing more about your personal experience with this ── what specific moments or situations have led you to ask this particular question?“ … thinking about my grandniece, who sadly committed suicide at such a young age ── 15 years old ── she’s now sleeping in her grave. It seems so easy for her, but here we are struggling with the attacks of Satan, the Devil, continuing to have to deal with him …”I’m so sorry for your loss. That’s incredibly painful to process. What’s weighing on your heart right now? …“Obedience to the LORD God (the Elohim, the family of God), staying true to them, obeying their commandments, and doing what I’m supposed to do. I’ll tell you, it’s not always the easiest to do.”
Of course, the LORD God knows it won’t be easy ──
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – James 12:11.
Let us, brethren, consider that our Lord Jesus learned obedience from suffering ──
“though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9) And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” – Hebrews 5:8-9.
He has been perfected and has become the author of eternal life to everyone who OBEYS HIM!
And just as our Lord Jesus is perfect, we too can become perfect ──
“’ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.’” – Matthew 5:48.
We, brethren, are growing in Spirit and are growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so as to be perfect, just as our heavenly Father is perfect.
Yet, our beloved Apostle John teaches us that true Christians will still occasionally sin and will need the LORD God’s forgiveness ─ 1 John 1:8-10.
True Christians are to overcome with the help of the LORD God ──
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21.
Our trials, tests, tribulations, and sufferings in this life help bring us closer to perfection. We, brethren, are being perfected now through what we are having to endure both physically and spiritually.
Why This Whole World Suffers
Again, the question is asked, Why does a loving, merciful, all-powerful God allow suffering?
LET’S look at this world today! Here in the 21st century, there are still wars, famines, and pestilences around the globe! There’s still abject poverty in some of the least developed countries, there’s grave inequality in countries such as Iran and North Korea, and there’s still hunger and need. Still sickness, diseases, and sufferings. There are still murderers, dishonesty, and corruption. There’s still insanity, and unhappiness, fear, and woe.
Why has the LORD God allowed whole civilizations to crumble and fall?
Some bemoan ── and their voices are getting louder ── that “No God would allow all this suffering around the world!” ── or “There’s no God!” But what do you think men would say if the LORD God took away their right to even deny Him? Certainly, the LORD God could never stop this terrible mayhem and sickness and vile among humanity without absolutely FORCING mankind to act according to His will ── hence, denying mankind their own FREE WILL!
Truly, it has been mankind’s way, that is so contrary to the LORD God’s, that has brought upon us this world at war. And they have brought upon us ── and I use the word “us” because, even though I wait on the glorious ‘city’ – the kingdom of God – and I am a citizen of a greater kingdom! However, I also must live in this world for a time (cf. John 17:15). So, I include myself in this world at war. Mankind has brought on all the world, sorrow and anguish despite the pleadings of Almighty God, “’ I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.’” – Deuteronomy 30:19.
The Way of the LORD God, had it been truly followed, would have led to harmony that would echo throughout all lands, all men would have the hope of all hopes, the love of all loves, and His Law would be in every heart.
The LORD revealed to our first parents His Way.
Let us suppose that the LORD God had taken the alternative. Suppose He had FORCED mankind to obey Him, against their will? Be sure to listen to my Conversation With AI Regarding Free Will.
Mankind would have screamed indignantly at the Almighty, “You can’t cram Your religion down my throat!” And it is a matter of religion. My wife incorrectly says to me quite often, “I can believe in God without religion!” Well … the LORD God does indeed have a religion that they want you to be a part of ── though it’s a religion most are not a part of (cf. James 1:27).
For nearly 6,000 years, mankind has lived in absolute defiance against the Law of God ── which is summed up in the Ten Commandments.
The LORD God’s Plan has for its great purpose the developing of perfect RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER in beings who are completely separate entities from God the Father and God His Son, yet are born members of that very God family. And this RIGHTEOUS CHARACTER cannot just be created by a magic wand, or the LORD God just flicking a switch ── it must be developed over time and through experience!
So, to achieve this ultimate purpose for all humanity ── for all who have lived or will ever live ── for God the Father to have children having perfect righteous character, the child has to be born of water and of Spirit (John 3:5), with its own FREE WILL! Mankind must turn to the LORD God’s Way, having had the experience of choosing wrongly, having witnessed what occurs when choosing wrongly. This lesson can only be learned by EXPERIENCE!
At the beginning of the creation of mankind, Satan the Devil ── whom the LORD calls a slithering serpent ── came amongst mankind to counteract the wisdom of the Law of God. A Law that is, in its simplest terms, a Law that is LOVE for God and LOVE for our fellow man, again, as defined in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). And it is our fundamental physical and spiritual Law.
Our Struggle Itself
Once I told AI in our conversation, “The answer is that the LORD God cannot create godly character by fiat; it has to be developed.” It rightly added, “You’re saying a character can’t be instant; it has to be forged through experience and choice. So, according to Scripture, even God chooses the slower path of letting us wrestle with decisions and grow through them, rather than just programming us to be perfect from the beginning? That actually makes the whole free will puzzle make more sense ── maybe the struggle itself is the point.”
So, within God’s Master Plan ── From the Beginning, the LORD God has allowed this selfish, hateful, covetous, evil, and vile world (peppered with love, compassion, friendship, caring, and mercy), to be tried, tested, and demonstrated throughout mankind’s generations ── certainly the LORD’s creation cannot argue later that they were denied a better way. The LORD has allowed mankind ── ruled and influenced by Satan the Devil ── “six days,” “one week” – consisting of six thousand years (cf. 2 Peter 3:8) in which to show mankind their world at war.
And throughout these nearly 6,000 years, Satan the Devil, that ‘serpent of old, who deceives the whole world’ has sat on his throne over his kingdom (cf. Luke 11:18; Matthew 12:26) upon EARTH! With a dual meaning, the LORD God has said to all mankind and to Satan himself, “’ Six days you shall labor and do all your work.’” ── in this dual meaning, for Satan to rule over men and for mankind to do their own work, in how they want to rule themselves and live. Satan is the lord of the week ── “’ but the SEVENTH DAY is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work.’” – Deuteronomy 5:13, 14. So, every week, every Sabbath, we keep and celebrate God’s Master Plan ── From the Beginning! We “’ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’” – Exodus 20:8. For this “seventh day” will belong to the LORD God. Satan will not be allowed to ‘do his own work’ ── “Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.”
And even though Satan the Devil has dominion over mankind and over the Earth, he has limited powers, influence, and suggestions. NEVER has the LORD God permitted Satan the Devil or his “henchmen” to force men against their will.
Never Left in Ignorance
Mankind has never been left in complete ignorance of our Creator or of His Way. The LORD God has always made known the Way to His physical and spiritual Law ── along with the consequences for disobedience to that said physical and spiritual Law, summed up in the Ten Commandments. This same Law was told to Adam & Eve. This Law of LOVE for God and LOVE for our fellow man. And continually, the LORD God has pleaded, with longsuffering and in love, with mankind ── “’ Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.’” – Isaiah 45:22. The LORD God raised a nation of His own on Earth (I speak of this in our article “Why God Selected Israel Yet Withheld Spiritual Salvation”), that had initially pledged itself to keep and follow His Law. But then, the children of Israel ── the kingdom of Israel ── turned away from the LORD God, had then persecuted and murdered God’s prophets, and had ultimately even murdered their Savior!
God the Father has sent His “only begotten Son” to ‘preach the gospel to the poor; to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, recover sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD!’ ── Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:18-19. Yet, mankind, for the most part, has even rejected His own Son!
Throughout these nearly 223 generations since Adam, mankind has continually turned from the LORD God, rejecting His love, rejecting His Law, rejecting His prophets, rejecting His true servants. Having instead built a world based upon ‘Mystery Babylon,’ upon the initial kingdom of Nimrod, after the false religions of Satan the Devil, replete with all its traditions and customs, and doctrines. And today ── throughout the world in this 21st century ── mankind is engulfed and is utterly drowning in this false way, deceiving and being deceived!
In God’s living word, it is revealed to us that Satan is “the god of this age” – 2 Corinthians 4:4.
And this world’s civilizations in this present age worship ── either knowingly or unknowingly ── their god. Sadly, as we are told by the Apostle Paul, mankind has not liked “to retain God in their knowledge,” so the LORD God ‘gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not proper; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; and gossipers, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful.’ And here’s the kicker ── “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of [the second] death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” – cf. Romans 1:28-32.
So, that woman who turned around in her chair at the hospital waiting room, as the television was showing a commercial that homosexuals can have AIDS, as two men are kissing each other (cf. Leviticus 18:22), and they can take a drug that allows the disease to be undetectable and stay there ── and I, rather unconsciously, said out loud, “That’s disgusting!” She turned in her seat and glared at me, and gave me a dirty look ── I say to you, “not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Of course, I am aware that people can be infected with HIV and not be homosexual – my wife and I have an awesome friend, who sadly, has been.
Not Done Away!
Now, there is one doctrine that has spread around the world like a cancerous cell, and all of Satan the Devil’s “ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15) agree upon, that “God’s Law,” as they chant and teach in unison, “has been nailed to the cross!” Today, those within these organized religions ── whether Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Jainism ── refuse to HEAR what the Spirit has to say concerning the Law of the LORD (Isaiah 30:8-11). They demand that their “minister of righteousness” preach to them “smooth things, prophesy deceits, and fables.” (cf. 2 Timothy 4:2-4).
I highly suggest that you read and study our articles “Be Not Ignorant of Satan,” and “Do You Know Your Enemy?” along with our PDF booklet “Satan’s World.”
O indeed, Satan the Devil is very religious. And he has his own organized religions. In this world’s so-called Christianity, he himself appears, not the likes of Ryan Reynolds’ monstrosity in the Big Wireless Mint mobile commercial, or his Match Made in Hell ad ── but rather as “an angel of light” – 2 Corinthians 11:14. His ministers transformed as “ministers of righteousness” – whose end will be according to their work. They, transforming themselves into a “Vicar of Christ, or an “apostle of Christ.” They, preaching “another Jesus, and their flocks receiving “another spirit and a different gospel” ── and they put up with it! – see also Galatians 1:6-7.
Satan the Devil’s organized religions appear to ‘have a form of godliness but deny its power’ – 2 Timothy 3:1-5. This present evil age ── its competitive principle, customs, traditions, even its political systems ── is all ruled by ‘the evil one’ (1 John 5:18). Sadly, all nations, countries, and provinces are deceived (Revelation 12:9; 17:2; 18:3).
Our Lord and Savior came some 1,996 years ago, bearing a message from Father ── a message of hope and a soon-coming kingdom. He brought at that acceptable year of the LORD the good news of the glorious Kingdom of God! A kingdom that will come to replace all the kingdoms of this world! – Revelation 11:15.
That very kingdom, so says our Lord Jesus Christ, is ‘at hand’ – Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 10:9. It is even ‘near’- Luke 21:31.
Let us THANK ALMIGHTY GOD that we are near the end of this present evil age! The LORD’s thousand-year Sabbath is just about to dawn! □
