The Bible emphatically answers no! Suffering was not part of Jehovah God's purpose for mankind. However, the first human couple rebelled against God's rulership, choosing to set their own standards of good and bad. They turned away from God and suffered the consequences.
Today we are experiencing the effects of their bad choice. But in no way did God originate human suffering.
The Bible says: "When under trial, let no one say: `I am being tried by God.' For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone." (James 1:13) Suffering can afflict anyone-even those who are favored by God.
The Bible reveals that Satan the Devil is a real person who, like a powerful criminal kingpin, sees to it that his will is accomplished through "lying signs" and "deception." In fact, he "keeps transforming himself into an angel of light," says the Bible. (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10; 2 Corinthians 11:14) The Devil's existence can be perceived by the damage he causes.
However, the Devil is not responsible for all suffering. Why not? God created humans with the capacity to choose between doing good and doing bad. (Joshua 24:15) When we make poor choices, we reap bad consequences.-Galatians 6:7, 8.
Jehovah is not happy with any of this.. It pains him deeply. However in-order to create a paradise where all humans can live under his loving care without doubt / questioning of his abilities.
It's not God's fault. It's Satan's fault for questioning him.
In Jehovah's infinite wisdom he determined that rather than destroying Satan on the spot for questioning his rulership that the only course of action was to hand his rulership over to the accuser for a short period of time in-order to prove otherwise.
I lack the wisdom to understand such a move. Personally I would have desecrated him on the spot for even thinking such thoughts. However when you examine God's decision it makes perfect sense.
If you were a father sat at a table with your family. And one of your sons walked up to you in-front of everyone and questioned your ability / right to guide the family.. Would you simply kill the son in-front of everyone? Or would that just lead to questions such as: Maybe he was right, Is he trying to hide something? No.. The ultimately wise decision would be to allow the Son to try and guide the family.
Not to mention the fact that 1/3rd of the Angels joined Satan in the rebellion. So how could Jehovah have destroyed such ones before they even rebelled against him?
The 6000 year period that Jehovah allocated to Satan to rule is about to run out.. And as you can see his rulership has brought nothing but misery, chaos and pain.. Therefor showing that God is the rightful ruler.
And right now in this horrible world we can be tempted to say you should have just destroyed him and lived alone.. Who cares about living forever. Once Jehovah welcomes us all in paradise and wipes the tears from our face.. Grants us the desires of our hearts. We'll be glad he didn't
Today we are experiencing the effects of their bad choice. But in no way did God originate human suffering.
The Bible says: "When under trial, let no one say: `I am being tried by God.' For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone." (James 1:13) Suffering can afflict anyone-even those who are favored by God.
The Bible reveals that Satan the Devil is a real person who, like a powerful criminal kingpin, sees to it that his will is accomplished through "lying signs" and "deception." In fact, he "keeps transforming himself into an angel of light," says the Bible. (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10; 2 Corinthians 11:14) The Devil's existence can be perceived by the damage he causes.
However, the Devil is not responsible for all suffering. Why not? God created humans with the capacity to choose between doing good and doing bad. (Joshua 24:15) When we make poor choices, we reap bad consequences.-Galatians 6:7, 8.
Jehovah is not happy with any of this.. It pains him deeply. However in-order to create a paradise where all humans can live under his loving care without doubt / questioning of his abilities.
It's not God's fault. It's Satan's fault for questioning him.
In Jehovah's infinite wisdom he determined that rather than destroying Satan on the spot for questioning his rulership that the only course of action was to hand his rulership over to the accuser for a short period of time in-order to prove otherwise.
I lack the wisdom to understand such a move. Personally I would have desecrated him on the spot for even thinking such thoughts. However when you examine God's decision it makes perfect sense.
If you were a father sat at a table with your family. And one of your sons walked up to you in-front of everyone and questioned your ability / right to guide the family.. Would you simply kill the son in-front of everyone? Or would that just lead to questions such as: Maybe he was right, Is he trying to hide something? No.. The ultimately wise decision would be to allow the Son to try and guide the family.
Not to mention the fact that 1/3rd of the Angels joined Satan in the rebellion. So how could Jehovah have destroyed such ones before they even rebelled against him?
The 6000 year period that Jehovah allocated to Satan to rule is about to run out.. And as you can see his rulership has brought nothing but misery, chaos and pain.. Therefor showing that God is the rightful ruler.
And right now in this horrible world we can be tempted to say you should have just destroyed him and lived alone.. Who cares about living forever. Once Jehovah welcomes us all in paradise and wipes the tears from our face.. Grants us the desires of our hearts. We'll be glad he didn't
