If you had the power to relieve someone's suffering, would you? Relief workers often rush to the scene of natural disasters to help strangers in need, easing their pain and even saving lives. So why, then, wouldn’t God act quickly to remove the Devil—the one responsible for immense human suffering? (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008b)

To understand this, imagine a high-profile court case. A convicted murderer, desperate to stop the trial, accuses the judge of corruption, claiming he is dishonest and even bribing the jury. In response, the court allows numerous witnesses to testify (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008b).

The judge understands that the lengthy proceedings may cause inconvenience, and he would prefer a swift resolution. However, he also knows that for justice to be properly served—and to establish a precedent for future cases—both sides must be given ample time to present their arguments (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008b).

Why, then, has Jehovah (the English translation of the Hebrew name Yahweh—click here for a detailed scriptural explanation) God allowed suffering to continue for so long? And why doesn’t He prevent bad things from happening? These are questions that have troubled many, but the Bible provides clear answers. In this article, we will explore what Scripture reveals about these important matters (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

To understand, consider two things the teacher in our illustration—first introduced in our article Why Does God Allow Suffering? —would not do. First, he wouldn’t stop the rebellious student from presenting his case. Second, he wouldn’t assist the student in making his argument. Likewise, Jehovah has chosen not to do two things. First, He has not stopped Satan and his followers from trying to prove their claims, which were explained in detail in our article Why Does God Allow Suffering? Allowing time to pass has been necessary. Throughout thousands of years of human history, mankind has experimented with every form of self-rule and government. While there have been advancements in science and other fields, issues like injustice, poverty, crime, and war have only worsened. It has now become clear that human rule is a failure (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

Second, Jehovah has not assisted Satan in ruling this world (the way Satan gained control over the world was explained in detail in our previous article Why Does God Allow Suffering?). If God were to intervene to prevent terrible crimes, would He not, in a sense, be reinforcing the rebels' argument? Wouldn’t that lead people to believe that humans might successfully govern themselves without catastrophic consequences? If Jehovah were to take such action, He would, in effect, be contributing to a falsehood. However, the Bible clearly states that “it is impossible for God to lie.”​—Hebrews 6:18 (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

Hebrews 6:18; “in order that through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to the refuge may have strong encouragement to take firm hold of the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm, and it enters in within the curtain,…”(Hebrews 6:18, New World Translation)

What About the Harm Caused by the Long Rebellion Against God?

Jehovah God is fully aware that as this legal case unfolds, humanity continues to suffer. However, He is committed to bringing it to a close as soon as possible. The Bible describes Him as “the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3) As “the God of all comfort,” He will not allow the Devil to exist any longer than necessary, nor will He permit the effects of Satan’s influence to endure indefinitely. At the same time, Jehovah will not act prematurely by eliminating the Devil before the universal court case has been fully resolved (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008b).

Once the matter is settled, Jehovah’s right to rule will be unquestionably upheld. The case against Satan will serve as a definitive precedent for all eternity. If a similar challenge were ever to arise, Satan’s example would stand as irrefutable proof—ensuring that such a rebellion would never need to be repeated (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2008b).

But what about all the harm caused during this long rebellion against God? It’s important to remember that Jehovah is almighty, meaning He has the power to undo all the effects of human suffering. As we have already learned, the devastation of our planet will be reversed when the earth is transformed into a paradise. The consequences of sin will be erased through faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, and even death itself will be overturned through the resurrection. In this way, God will use Jesus “to break up the works of the Devil.” (1 John 3:8) (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014)

Jehovah will accomplish all of this at the perfect time. In fact, we can be grateful that He has not acted sooner, as His patience has given us the opportunity to learn the truth and serve Him. (Read 2 Peter 3:9, 10.) In the meantime, God has been actively searching for sincere worshippers and strengthening them to endure the trials of this troubled world.​—John 4:23; 1 Corinthians 10:13 (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

2 Corinthians 1:3; “Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort,” (2 Corinthians 1:3, New World Translation)

1 John 3:8; “The one who practices sin originates with the Devil, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, to break up the works of the Devil.” (1 John 3:8, New World Translation)

2 Peter 3:9, 10; “Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed.” (2 Peter 3:9, 10, New World Translation)

John 4:23; “Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for indeed, the Father is looking for ones like these to worship him." (John 4:23, New World Translation)

1 Corinthians 10:13; “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, New World Translation)

How Will You Choose to Use God’s Gift of Free Will?

Humans have been created with the gift of free will. Have you ever considered how valuable that is? God has made countless animals that act primarily on instinct. (Proverbs 30:24) Similarly, humans have developed robots that can be programmed to follow commands precisely. But would we truly be content if God had designed us that way? Certainly not! We treasure the ability to make our own choices—deciding who we want to become, what path to take in life, and which relationships to build. God desires for us to enjoy this freedom and use it wisely (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

You have the opportunity to make the best possible use of the incredible gift of free will. Millions have already chosen to stand on Jehovah’s side, bringing Him joy by actively proving Satan to be a liar and a failed ruler. (Proverbs 27:11) You too can take part in this by choosing the right path in life (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014).

Proverbs 30:24; ”Four things on earth are among the smallest, But they are instinctively wise.” (Proverbs 30:24, New World Translation)

Proverbs 27:11; “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.” (Proverbs 27:11, New World Translation)

What the Bible Reveals

• God does not cause the bad conditions in the world.​—Job 34:10.

• By calling God a liar and saying that He withholds good from His subjects, Satan questioned Jehovah’s right to rule.​—Genesis 3:2-5.

• Jehovah will use his Son (Jesus), the Ruler of the Messianic Kingdom, to end all human suffering and to undo its effects.​—1 John 3:8.

• (Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2014)

Job 34:10, “So listen to me, you men of understanding: It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, For the Almighty to do wrong!” (Job 34:10, New World Translation)

Genesis 3:2-5, “And by the seventh day, God had completed the work that he had been doing, and he began to rest on the seventh day from all his work that he had been doing. And God went on to bless the seventh day and to declare it sacred, for on it God has been resting from all the work that he has created, all that he purposed to make. This is a history of the heavens and the earth in the time they were created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven. No bush of the field was yet on the earth and no vegetation of the field had begun sprouting, because Jehovah God had not made it rain on the earth and there was no man to cultivate the ground.” (Genesis 3:2-5, New World Translation)

1 John 3:8, “The one who practices sin originates with the Devil, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, to break up the works of the Devil…” (1 John 3:8, New World Translation)

Quiz: How Well Do You Understand Why God Allows Suffering and Doesn’t Prevent Bad Things?

1. Why doesn’t God immediately remove the Devil?
   a. He lacks the power to do so
   b. He wants to prove Satan wrong through a legal case
   c. He doesn’t care about human suffering
   d. He agrees with Satan’s claims

2. What does the high-profile court case analogy in the article illustrate?
   a. The fairness of human judges
   b. The need for a lengthy legal process to prove the truth
   c. How God immediately punishes the wicked
   d. The corruption of the judicial system

3. Why has Jehovah allowed human suffering to continue?
   a. To prove whether humans can govern themselves successfully
   b. Because He enjoys watching people struggle
   c. Because Satan is stronger than Him
   d. To give humans complete independence

4. According to the article, what has human history proven about self-rule?
   a. That humans can govern themselves effectively
   b. That different forms of government have eliminated suffering
   c. That human rule has led to injustice, poverty, crime, and war
   d. That governments have successfully maintained peace

5. What has Jehovah not done regarding Satan’s rule?
   a. Assisted Satan in his rulership
   b. Observed Satan’s actions closely
   c. Allowed Satan time to prove his case
   d. Warned humans about Satan’s lies

6. Why does the Bible say God cannot lie?
   a. Because He never speaks to humans directly
   b. Because He doesn’t want to influence people’s beliefs
   c. Because it is against His very nature
   d. Because He only communicates through visions

7. What does 2 Corinthians 1:3 call Jehovah?
   a. The God of punishment
   b. The God of all comfort
   c. The ruler of all nations
   d. The enforcer of justice

8. What will happen once Jehovah’s right to rule is fully upheld?
   a. Another rebellion will be allowed to happen
   b. Suffering will continue indefinitely
   c. Satan’s example will serve as proof against future rebellion
   d. Satan will be allowed to rule fairly

9. How will Jehovah undo the effects of human suffering?
   a. By transforming the earth into a paradise
   b. By giving humans another chance to govern themselves
   c. By eliminating free will
   d. By allowing suffering to continue as a lesson

10. What opportunity has God’s patience given humans?
    a. A chance to prove Satan’s accusations true
    b. The ability to learn the truth and serve Him
    c. More time to govern themselves
    d. Freedom to live without moral guidance

Answer Key

1. b. He wants to prove Satan wrong through a legal case

2. b. The need for a lengthy legal process to prove the truth

3. a. To prove whether humans can govern themselves successfully

4. c. That human rule has led to injustice, poverty, crime, and war

5. a. Assisted Satan in his rulership

6. c. Because it is against His very nature

7. b. The God of all comfort

8. c. Satan’s example will serve as proof against future rebellion

9. a. By transforming the earth into a paradise

10. b. The ability to learn the truth and serve Him

For more free, Bible-based answers to everyday topics, please visit jw.org.

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Bibliography

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2013). New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2014). Why does God allow suffering? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102005141#h=17

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2008b). Why Doesn’t God Get Rid of the Devil? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102010444

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