Does God really care about us (2001 edition) (1992)

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©1992, 2001

WATCH TOWER

BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY

OF PENNSYLVANIA

All rights reserved

Publishers WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC. INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.

First Printing in English: 5,000,000 Copies

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures —With References, 1984 Edition

Does God Really Care About Us?

English (dg-E)

Made in the United States of America

Part Page

Does God Really Care About Us? 3

An Earth Free From Suffering 3

How We Can Know There Is a God 4

God Informs Us About His Purposes 9

The Wonderful Gift of Free Will 10

Why God Has Permitted Suffering 12

What Has Been the Result of Rebellion? 14

God's Purpose Moves Toward Fulfillment 17

How We Know We Are in "the Last Days" 19

The Marvelous New World of God's Making 22

The New World's Foundation Now Being Formed 28

Part 1

DOES GOD REALLY CARE ABOUT US?

AT SOME time in your life, you may have asked: If there is a God who really cares about us, why does he permit so much suffering?' All of us have experienced suffering or have known someone who has.

2 Indeed, throughout history people have suffered pain and heartache from war, cruelty, crime, injustice, poverty, sickness, and the death of loved ones. In our 20th century alone, wars have killed over 100 million people. Hundreds of millions of others have been injured or have lost homes and possessions. Ever so many horrible things have happened in our time, resulting in great sorrow, many tears, and a sense of hopelessness on the part of countless numbers of people.

3 Some become embittered and feel that if there is a God, he does not really care about us. Or they may even feel that there is no God. For instance, a man who suffered from ethnic persecution that caused the death of friends and family in World War I asked: "Where was God when we needed him?" Another, who survived the murder of millions by the Nazis in

World War II, was so grieved by the suffering he saw that he said: "If you could lick my heart, it would poison you."

Part 2

4 Thus, many people cannot understand why a good God would allow bad things to happen. They question whether he really cares about us or whether he exists at all. And many of them feel that suffering will always be a part of human existence.

AN EARTH FREE FROM SUFFERING

HOWEVER, millions of people worldwide have a totally different view. They foresee a marvelous future for mankind. They say that right here on earth there will soon be a world completely free from wickedness and suffering. They are confident that what is bad will soon be cleared away and an entirely new world established. They even say that the foundation of this new world is being laid right now!

2 These people believe that the new world will be free from war, cruelty, crime, injustice, and poverty. It will be a world without sickness, sorrow, tears, and even death. At that time people will grow to perfection and live

1, 2. What different view do many have?

forever in happiness in an earthly paradise. Why, those who have died will even be resurrected and have the opportunity to live forever!

3 Is this view of the future just a dream, just wishful thinking? No, not at all. It is founded on a solidly based faith that this incoming Paradise is inevitable. (Hebrews 11:1) Why are they so sure? Because the almighty Creator of the universe has promised it.

4 Regarding God's promises, the Bible says: "Not one word out of all the good words that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed. They have all come true for you. Not one word of them has failed." "God is not a man that he should tell lies . . . Has he himself said it and will he not do it, and has he spoken and will he not carry it out?" "Jehovah of armies has sworn, saying: 'Surely just as I have figured, so it must occur; and just as I have counseled, that is what will come true.'" Joshua 23:14; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 14:24.

5 However, if God's purpose was to establish an earthly paradise free from suffering, why did he permit bad things to happen in the first place? Why did he wait six thousand years until now to correct what is wrong? Might all those centuries of suffering indicate that God does not really care about us, or even that he does not exist?

3, 4. Why do such persons feel confident about their view?

What questions need to be answered?

Part 3

HOW WE CAN KNOW THERE IS A GOD

ONE way to determine whether there is a God is to apply this well-established principle: What is made requires a maker. The more complicated the thing made, the more capable the maker must be.

1, 2. What principle helps us to determine whether there is a God?

2 For example, look around your home. Tables, chairs, desks, beds, pots, pans, plates, and other eating utensils all require a maker, as do walls, floors, and ceilings. Yet, those things are comparatively simple to make. Since simple things require a maker, is it not logical that complex things require an even more intelligent maker?

Our Awesome Universe

3 A watch requires a watchmaker. What of our infinitely more complex solar system, with the Sun and its planets revolving around it with split-second precision century after century? What of the awesome galaxy we live in, called the Milky Way, with its more than 100 billion stars? Have you ever stopped at night to gaze at the Milky Way? Were you impressed? Then think of the incredibly vast universe that contains untold billions of galaxies like our Milky Way! Too, the heavenly bodies are so reliable in their movements century after century that they have been compared to precision timepieces.

4 If a watch, which is relatively simple, implies the existence of a watchmaker, surely the infinitely more complex and awesome universe implies the existence of a designer and maker. That is why the Bible invites us to 'raise our eyes high up and see,' and then it asks: "Who has created these things?" The answer: "It is the One [God] who is bringing forth the army of them even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one of them is missing." (Isaiah 40: 26) Thus, the universe owes its existence to an invisible, controlling, intelligent power God.

3, 4. How does the universe help us to know that God exists?

Earth Uniquely Designed

5 The more scientists study the earth, the more they realize that it is uniquely designed for human habitation. It is just the right distance from the sun to get the proper amount of light and heat. Once a year it moves around the sun, with just the right angle of tilt, making seasons possible in many parts of the earth. The earth also rotates on its own axis every 24 hours, providing regular periods of light and darkness. It has an atmosphere with just the right mixture of gases so we can breathe and be protected from damaging radiation from space. It also has the vital water and soil needed to grow food.

Without all those factors, and others, working together, life would be impossible Was all of that an accident? Science News says: "It seems as if such particular and precise conditions could hardly have arisen at random." No, they could not. They involved purposeful design by a superb Designer.

The earth, with its protective atmosphere, is a unique home designed for us by a caring God

7 If you went into a fine house and found that it was generously stocked with food, that it had an excellent heating and airconditioning system, and that it had good plumbing to supply water, what would you conclude? That it all just came about by itself? No, you would surely conclude that an intelligent person designed and made it with great care. The earth was also designed and made with great care in order to provide what its inhabitants need, and it is much more complex and well-supplied than any house.

8 Also, consider the great number of things that add delight to living. Look at the vast variety of beautifully colored flowers with their pleasant scents that humans enjoy. Then there is the great variety of foods so delicious

to our taste. There are forests, mountains, lakes, and other creations pleasant to look at. Too, what of beautiful sunsets that enhance our enjoyment of life? And in the animal realm, are we not delighted by the playful antics and lovable nature of puppies, kittens, and other animal young? So the earth provides many delightful surprises not absolutely needed to sustain life. These show that the earth was designed with loving care, with humans in mind, so that we would not just exist but would enjoy life.

Therefore, the reasonable conclusion is to acknowledge the Giver of all these things, as did the Bible writer who said of Jehovah God: "You yourself have made the heavens and the earth." For what purpose? He gives the answer by describing God as "the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited." Isaiah 37:16; 45:18.

The Amazing Living Cell

10 What of living things? Do they not require a maker? For example, consider a few of the amazing features of a living cell. In his book Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, molecular biologist Michael Denton states: "Even the simplest of all living systems on earth today, bacterial cells, are exceedingly complex objects.

Although the tiniest bacterial cells are incredibly small, . . . each is in effect a veritable microminiaturized factory containing thousands of exquisitely designed pieces of intricate molecular machinery . . . far more complicated than any machine built by man and absolutely without parallel in the non-living world."

11 Regarding the genetic code in each cell, he states: "The capacity of DNA to store information vastly exceeds that of any other known system; it is so efficient that all the information needed to specify an organism as complex as man weighs less than a few thousand millionths of a gram. . . . Alongside the level of ingenuity and complexity exhibited by the molecular machinery of life, even our most advanced [products] appear clumsy. We feel humbled."

12 Denton adds: "The complexity of the simplest known type of cell is so great that it is

What did a scientist say about the origin of the cell?

impossible to accept that such an object could have been thrown together suddenly by some kind of freakish, vastly improbable, event." It had to have a designer and maker.

Our Incredible Brain

13 This scientist then says: "In terms of complexity, an individual cell is nothing when compared with a system like the mammalian brain. The human brain consists of about ten thousand million nerve cells. Each nerve cell puts out somewhere in the region of between ten thousand and one hundred thousand connecting fibres by which it makes contact with other nerve cells in the brain. Altogether the total number of connections in the human brain approaches . . a thousand million million."

14 Denton continues: "Even if only one hundredth of the connections in the brain were specifically organized, this would still represent a system containing a much greater number of specific connections than in the entire communications network on Earth." He then asks: "Could any sort of purely random

process ever have assembled such systems?"

Obviously, the answer has to be no. The brain must have had a caring Designer and Maker.

15 The human brain makes even the most advanced computers look primitive. Science writer Morton Hunt said: "Our active memories hold several billion times more information than a large contemporary research computer." Thus, brain surgeon Dr. Robert J. White concluded: "I am left with no choice but to acknowledge the existence of a Superior Intellect, responsible for the design and development of the incredible brain-mind relationship—something far beyond man's capacity to understand. . . I have to believe all this had an intelligent beginning, that Someone made it happen." It also had to be Someone who cared.

The Unique Blood System

16 Consider, too, the unique blood system that transports nutrients and oxygen and protects against infection. Regarding the red blood cells, a main component of this system, the book ABC's of the Human Body states: "A single drop of blood contains more than 250 million separate blood cells . . . The body contains perhaps 25 trillion of them, enough, if spread out, to cover four tennis courts. . . Replacements are made, at a rate of 3 million new cells every second."

17 Regarding white blood cells, another part of the unique blood system, this same source tells us: "While there is only one kind of red cell, white blood cells come in many varieties, each type capable of fighting the body's battles in a different way. One kind, for instance, destroys dead cells. Other kinds produce antibodies against viruses, detoxify foreign substances, or literally eat up and digest bacteria."

What comments do others make about the brain?

16-18. (a) In what ways is the blood system unique?

(b) To what conclusion should we be drawn?

'One brain contains more connections than the entire communications network on Earth.' Molecular biologist

18 What an amazing and highly organized system! Surely anything that is so well put together and so thoroughly protective must have a very intelligent and caring organizer—God.

Other Marvels

19 There are many other marvels in the human body. One is the eye, so superbly designed that no camera can duplicate it. Astronomer Robert Jastrow said: "The eye appears to have been designed; no designer of telescopes could have done better." And the publication Popular Photography relates: "Human eyes see a far greater range of detail than film does. They see in three dimensions, at a tremendously wide angle, without distortion, in continuous motion . . . Comparing the camera to the human eye isn't a fair analogy. The human eye is more like an incredibly advanced supercomputer with artificial intelligence, information-processing abilities, speeds, and modes of operation that are far beyond any man-made device, computer or camera."

20 Think, too, of the way that all the intricate body organs cooperate without our conscious effort. For example, we put many different types of food and drink into our stomachs, yet the body processes them and produces energy. Try putting such a variety of things into the gas tank of an automobile and see how far it goes! Then there is the miracle of

birth, the producing of an adorable baby—a copy of its parents—in just nine months. And what about the ability of a child just a few years old to learn how to talk in a complex language?

21 Yes, the many amazing intricate creations in the human body fill us with awe. No engineer could duplicate those things. Could they be merely the workings of blind chance? Surely not. Instead, when considering all the wonderful aspects of the human body, reasonable persons say, as did the psalmist: "I shall laud you [God] because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful." —Psalm 139:14.

The Supreme Builder

and computers, should we not also acknowledge the existence of the One who gave humans the brain to make such things?

22 The Bible states: "Every house is built by someone, of course; but God built everything that exists." (Hebrews 3:4, The Jerusalem Bible) Since any house, however simple, must have a builder, then the far more complex universe, along with the vast varieties of life on earth, must also have had a builder. And since we acknowledge the existence of humans who invented devices such as airplanes, televisions,

"The eye appears to have been designed; no designer of telescopes could have done better."—Astronomer

23 The Bible does, calling him "the true God, Jehovah, . . . the Creator of the heavens and the Grand One stretching them out; the One laying out the earth and its produce, the One giving breath to the people on it." (Isaiah

42:5) The Bible rightly declares: "You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created."

—Revelation 4:11.

24 Yes, we can know that there is a God by the things he has made. "For [God's] invisible qualities are clearly seen from

the world's creation onward, because they are perceived by the things [God] made."—Romans 1:20.

25 The fact that something made is misused does not mean it had no maker. An airplane can be used for peaceful purposes, as an airliner. But it can also be used for destruction, as a bomber. Its being used in a death-dealing way does not mean it had no maker.

26 Similarly, the fact that humans have so often turned out bad does not mean they did not have a Maker, that there is no God. Hence, the Bible correctly observes: "The perversity of you men! Should the potter himself be accounted just like the clay? For should the thing made say respecting its maker: 'He did not make me'? And does the very thing formed actually say respecting its former: 'He showed no understanding'?"—Isaiah 29:16.

27 The Creator has shown his wisdom through the amazing complexity of what he has made. He has shown that he really cares about us by making the earth just right to live on, by making our bodies and minds in such a wonderful way, and by making so many good things for us to enjoy. Surely he would show similar wisdom and care by making known the answers to such questions as: Why has God permitted suffering? What will he do about it?

Why can we expect God to answer our questions about suffering?

Part 4

GOD INFORMS US ABOUT HIS PURPOSES

A LOVING God does indeed reveal his purposes to sincere ones who search for him. He does provide inquiring humans with answers to questions such as why he has permitted suffering.

2 The Bible states: "If you search for [God], he will let himself be found by you." "There exists a God in the heavens who is a Revealer of secrets." "The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets."—1 Chronicles 28:9; Daniel 2:28; Amos 3:7.

Where Are the Answers?

3 The answers to questions such as why God permits suffering and what he will do about it are found in the record he inspired for our benefit. That record is his Word, the Holy Bible. "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in

righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."—2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

4 The Bible is truly a unique book. It contains the most accurate record of human history and even goes back beyond the creation of humans. It is also up-to-date, for its prophecies have to do with events of our time and of the near future too.

5 No other book has such credentials for historical accuracy. For example, only a few manuscripts of ancient classical writers exist. But many manuscripts, some partial and some complete, exist of the Bible: about 6,000 of the Hebrew Scriptures (the 39 books of the "Old Testament") and about 13,000 of the Christian Greek Scriptures (the 27 books of the "New Testament").

The Bible is the most widely distributed book in history. Some three billion copies have been printed. No other book comes close to that figure. And the Bible or parts of it have been translated into some 2,000 languages. Thus, it is estimated that 98 percent of the population of our planet could have access to the Bible.

6 Almighty God, who inspired the Bible, has seen to it that its textual integrity has been preserved in those manuscript copies. So our Bibles today are essentially the same as the original inspired writings. Another factor that helps us to appreciate this is that some manuscript copies of the Christian Greek Scriptures go back to within a hundred years of the time of the original writing. The few manuscript copies of ancient secular writers that are still in existence seldom date to within even several centuries of the original authors.

God's Gift

4, 5. What makes the Bible a unique book?

Why can we be sure that the Bible today is basically the same as when God inspired it?

How wide is the circulation of the Bible?

8 Surely a book that claims to be from God and has all the external and internal evidences of authenticity is worthy of our examination. * It explains the purpose of life, the meaning of world conditions, and what the future holds. No other book can do that.

9 Yes, the Bible is God's communication to the human family. He directed the writing of it by his active force, or spirit, with some 40 humans doing the recording. Thus God speaks to us through his Word, the Holy Bible. The apostle Paul wrote: "When you received God's word, which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God."—1 Thessalonians 2:13.

10 Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, called the Bible "the best gift God has ever given to man . . . But for it we could not know right from wrong." Now then, what does this superlative gift tell us about how suffering began, why God permitted it, and what he will do about it?

Part 5

THE WONDERFUL GIFT OF FREE WILL

TO UNDERSTAND why God has permitted suffering and what he will do about it, we need to appreciate how he made us. He did more than create us with just a body and a brain. He also created us with special mental and emotional qualities.

2 A key part of our mental and emotional makeup is free will. Yes, God implanted in us the faculty of freedom of choice. It was indeed a wonderful gift from him.

How We Are Made

3 Let us consider how free will is involved in God's permission of suffering. To begin with, think about this: Do you appreciate having the freedom to choose what you will do and say, what you will eat and wear, what kind of work you will do, and where and how you will live? Or would you want someone to dictate your every word and action every moment of your life?

4 No normal person wants his life taken out of his control so completely. Why not? Because of the way God made us. The Bible tells us that God created man in his 'image and likeness,' and one of the faculties God himself has is freedom of choice. (Genesis 1:26; Deuteronomy 7:6) When he created humans, he gave them that same wonderful faculty—the gift of free will. That is one reason why we find it frustrating to be enslaved by oppressive rulers.

5 So the desire for freedom is no accident, for God is a God of freedom. The Bible says: "Where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17) Hence, God gave us free will as part of our very makeup. Since

he knew the way our minds and emotions would work, he knew that we would be happiest with free will.

6 To go with the gift of free will, God gave us the ability to think, weigh matters, make decisions, and know right from wrong. (Hebrews 5:14) Thus, free will was to be based on intelligent choice. We were not made like mindless robots having no will of their own. Nor were we created to act out of instinct as were the animals. Instead, our marvelous brain was designed to work in harmony with our freedom of choice.

The Best Start

7 To show how caring God was, along with the gift of free will, our first parents, Adam and Eve, were given everything that anyone could reasonably want. They were put in a

large, parklike paradise. They had material abundance. They had perfect minds and bodies, so they would not have to get old or get sick or die—they could have lived forever. They would have had perfect children who could also have had a happy, everlasting future. And the expanding population would have had the satisfying work of eventually turning the entire earth into a paradise.—Genesis 1:26-30; 2:15

8 Regarding what was provided, the Bible relates: "God saw everything he had made and, look! it was very good." (Genesis 1:31) The Bible also says of God: "Perfect is his activity." (Deuteronomy 32:4) Yes, the Creator gave the human family a perfect start. It could not have been better. What a caring God he proved to be!

9 However, did God purpose for free will to be without limits? Imagine a busy city without any traffic laws, where everybody could drive in any direction at any speed. Would you want to drive under those conditions? No, that would be traffic anarchy and would surely result in many accidents.

10 So too with God's gift of free will. Unlimited freedom would mean anarchy in society. There have to be laws to guide human activities. God's Word says: "Behave like free men, and never use your freedom as an excuse for wickedness." (1 Peter 2:16, JB) God wants free will to be regulated for the common good. He purposed for us to have, not total freedom, but relative freedom, subject to the rule of law.

Freedom Within Limits

Whose Laws?

11 Whose laws were we designed to obey? Another part of the text at 1 Peter 2:16 (JB)

Would you want to drive in heavy traffic if there were no traffic laws?

states: "You are slaves of no one except God." This does not mean an oppressive slavery, but, rather, it means that we were designed to be happiest when in subjection to God's laws. (Matthew 22:35-40) His laws, more than any laws devised by humans, provide the best guide. "I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk."—Isaiah 48:17.

12 At the same time, God's laws allow for great freedom of choice within their boundaries. This results in variety and makes the human family fascinating. Think of the different types of food, clothing, music, art, and homes throughout the world. We surely prefer to have our choice in such matters rather than have some other person decide for us.

13 Thus we were created to be happiest when subject to God's laws for human behavior. It is similar to being subject to God's physical laws. For instance, if we ignore the law of gravity and jump off a high place, we will be injured or killed. If we ignore the internal laws

of our body and stop eating food, drinking water, or breathing air, we will die.

14 As surely as we were created with the need to submit to God's physical laws, we were created with the need to submit to God's moral and social laws. (Matthew 4:4) Humans were not created to be independent of their Maker and be successful. The prophet Jeremiah says: "It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. Correct me, O Jehovah." (Jeremiah 10:23, 24) So in every way humans were created to live under God's rulership, not their own.

15 Obedience to God's laws would not have been burdensome for our first parents. Instead, it would have worked for their welfare and that of the entire human family. Had the first pair stayed within the limits of God's laws, all would have been well. In fact, we would now be living in a wonderful paradise of pleasure as a loving, united human family! There would not have been wickedness, suffering, and death.

How do we know that humans were not created to be independent of God?

Would God's laws have been a burden for Adam and Eve?

Part 6

WHY GOD HAS PERMITTED SUFFERING

WHAT went wrong? What took place that spoiled the fine start God gave our first parents in the Paradise of Eden? Why, instead of the peace and harmony of Paradise, have wickedness and suffering prevailed for thousands of years?

2 The reason is that Adam and Eve misused their free will. They lost sight of the fact that they were not created to prosper apart

1, 2. How did our first parents spoil the fine start God gave them?

from God and his laws. They decided to become independent of God, thinking that this would improve their lives. So they stepped outside the God-ordained limits of free will. —Genesis, chapter 3.

The Issue of Universal Sovereignty

3 Why did God not just destroy Adam and Eve and start over with another human pair? Because his universal sovereignty, that is, his inalienable right to rule, had been challenged.

4 The question was: Who has the right to rule, and whose rule is right? His being almighty and the Creator of all creatures gives God the right to rule over them. Since he is all-wise, his rule is best for all creatures. But God's rule had now been challenged. Also, was there something wrong with his creation man? We will later examine how the question of human integrity is involved.

3-5. Why did not God just destroy Adam and Eve and start over?

God has allowed time for humans to come to the peak of their achievements

Shuttle: Based on NASA photo

5 By man's becoming independent of God, another question was implied: Could humans do better if not ruled by God? The Creator certainly knew the answer, but a sure way for humans to find out was to allow them the total freedom they wanted. They chose that course of their own free will, so God permitted it.

6 By allowing humans enough time to experiment with total freedom, God would establish for all time whether humans are better off under God's rule or on their own. And the time permitted would have to be long enough to allow humans to come to what they considered the peak of their political, industrial, scientific, and medical achievements.

7 Therefore, God has allowed man a free rein clear down to our day to show beyond any doubt whether human rule independent of him can succeed. Thus man has been able to choose between kindness and cruelty, between love and hate, between righteousness and unrighteousness. But he has also been confronted with the consequences of his choice: goodness and peace or wickedness and suffering.

Rebellion of Spirit Creatures

There is another factor to consider. Our original parents were not the only ones to rebel against God's rule. But who else was in existence at the time? Spirit creatures. Before God created humans, he created a higher form of life, great numbers of angels, to live in the heavenly realm. They too were created with free will and also with the need to submit to God's rule.—Job 38:7; Psalm 104:4; Revelation 5:11.

9 The Bible shows that rebellion first broke out in the spirit realm. A spirit creature wanted total freedom. He even wanted humans to worship him. (Matthew 4:8, 9) This spirit rebel became a factor in influencing Adam and Eve to rebel, claiming falsely that God was withholding something good from them.

(Genesis 3:1-5) So he is called Devil (Slanderer) and Satan (Adversary). Later, he induced other spirit creatures to rebel. They became known as demons.—Deuteronomy 32: 17; Revelation 12:9; 16:14.

10 Humans, by rebelling against God, gave themselves over to the influence of Satan and his demons. That is why the Bible calls Satan "the god of this system of things," who "has blinded the minds of the unbelievers." Hence, God's Word says that "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." Jesus himself called Satan "the ruler of this world." 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19; John 12:31.

Two Issues

11 Satan raised another issue that challenged God. In effect, he charged that God was mistaken in the way He created humans and that no one would want to do the right thing when put under pressure. In fact, he claimed that under test they would even curse God. (Job 2:1-5) In this way Satan called into question the integrity of the human creation.

12 Therefore, God has permitted enough time for all intelligent creatures to see how this issue as well as the issue of God's sovereignty would be resolved. (Compare Exodus 9:16.) The eventual experience of human history would reveal the truth about these two issues.

13 First of all, what would time reveal regarding the issue of universal sovereignty, the rightness of God's rule? Could humans rule themselves better than God? Would any system of human rule apart from God usher in a happy world free from war, crime, and injustice? Would any eliminate poverty and provide prosperity for all? Would any conquer sickness, old age, and death? God's rule was designed to do all of that.—Genesis 1:26-31.

14 Regarding the second issue, what would time reveal as to the worth of the human creation? Was it a mistake for God to have created humans the way he did? Would any of them do the right thing under test? Would any people show that they wanted God's rule instead of independent human rule?

Part 7

WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESULT OF REBELLION?

REGARDING the issue of God's right to rule, what has been the result of all these centuries of human rule independent of God? Have humans proved to be better rulers than God? If we judge by the record of man's inhumanity to man, surely not.

2 When our first parents rejected God's rule, disaster followed. They brought suffering upon themselves and all the human family that came from them. And they had nobody to blame but themselves. God's Word says: "They have acted ruinously on their own part; they are not his children, the defect is their own." —Deuteronomy 32:5.

3 History has shown the correctness of God's warning to Adam and Eve that if they moved out from under God's provisions, they would deteriorate and eventually die. (Genesis 2:17; 3:19) They did move out from under God's rule, and in time they did deteriorate and die.

4 What happened afterward to all their offspring was as Romans 5:12 explains: "Through one man [Adam, mankind's family head] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men."

So when our first parents rebelled against God's overseership, they became defective sinners. In harmony with the laws of genetics, the resulting imperfection was all they could pass on to their offspring. That is why all of us have been born defective, prone to sickness and death.

Many centuries have passed. Empires have come and gone. Every conceivable type of government has been tried. Yet, over and over, dreadful things have happened to the human family. After six thousand years, one would think that humans would have progressed to the point of establishing peace, justice, and prosperity earth wide and that by now they would have mastered the positive values of kindness, compassion, and cooperation.

6 The reality, however, is just the opposite. No type of human government ever devised has brought true peace and prosperity for all. In this 20th century alone, we have seen the systematic murder of millions during the Holocaust and the slaughter of over 100 million in

5, 6. What has history shown about man's efforts to bring true peace and prosperity?

The Situation Today

wars. In our time countless numbers of people have been tortured, murdered, and imprisoned because of intolerance and political differences.

7 In addition, consider the overall condition of the human family today. Crime and violence are rampant. Drug abuse is epidemic. Sexually transmitted diseases are pandemic. The dreaded disease AIDS is affecting millions of people. Tens of millions of people die of hunger or disease each year, while a small number have vast riches. Humans pollute and pillage the earth. Family life and moral values have broken down everywhere. Truly, life today reflects the ugly rulership of 'the god of this world,' Satan. The world he is master of is cold, ruthless, and thoroughly corrupt.—2 Corinthians 4:4.

God has allowed enough time for humans to come to the peak of their scientific and material progress. But is it genuine progress when the bow and arrow have been replaced by machine guns, tanks, jet bombers, and nuclear missiles? Is it progress when people can travel into space but cannot live together in peace on earth? Is it progress when people are afraid to walk the streets at night, or even in the daytime in some places?

U.S. Coast Guard photo

What Time Has Shown

9 What the test of centuries of time has shown is that it is not possible for humans to direct their own steps successfully apart from God's rule. It is no more possible for them to do that than it is for them to live without eating, drinking, and breathing. The evidence is clear: We were designed to be dependent on our Creator's guidance just as surely as we were created to be dependent on food, water, and air.

10 By permitting wickedness, God has once and for all time demonstrated the sad results of misusing free will. And free will is such a precious gift that rather than take it away from humans, God has allowed them to see what its misuse means. God's Word speaks the truth when it says: "It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." It is also truthful when it says: "Man has dominated man to his injury."—Jeremiah 10:23; Ecclesiastes 8:9.

9, 10. (a) What have the past centuries of time clearly shown? (b) Why will God not take away free will?

Human rule apart from God has proved to be calamitous

11 God's permission of human rule for six thousand years forcefully illustrates that man is unable to stop suffering. At no time has he done so. For instance, in his day King Solomon of Israel, with all his wisdom, wealth, and power, could not straighten out the misery resulting from human rule. (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3) Similarly, in our day world leaders,

even with the latest technical advances, are not able to eliminate suffering. Worse yet, history has shown that humans independent of God's rule have increased suffering instead of eliminating it.

God's Long-Range View

12 God's permission of suffering has been painful for us. But he has taken a long-range view, knowing the good results that will come in the long run. God's view will benefit creatures, not just for a few years or a few thousand, but for millions of years, yes, for all eternity.

13 Should the situation ever arise at any future time that someone misuses free will to call into question God's way of doing things, it would not be necessary to grant him time to try to prove his views. Having already allowed rebels thousands of years, God has established a legal precedent that can be applied throughout eternity anywhere in the universe.

Has any form of human rule eliminated suffering? 12-14. What long-range benefits come as a result of God's permission of suffering?

14 Because Jehovah has permitted wickedness and suffering at this time, it will already have been amply proved that nothing that is out of harmony with him can prosper. It will have been shown beyond doubt that no independent scheme of men or spirit creatures can bring lasting benefits. Hence, God will then be fully justified in swiftly crushing any rebel. "The wicked ones he will annihilate." Psalm 145:20; Romans 3:4.

Part 8

GOD'S PURPOSE MOVES TOWARD FULFILLMENT

THE rulership of rebellious men and demons has been dragging the human family downward for many centuries. Yet, God has not ignored our sufferings. Rather, during all the centuries, he has been making provision to release humans from the grip of wickedness and suffering.

2 At the time of the rebellion in Eden, God began to reveal his purpose to form a government that would make this earth a paradise home for people. (Genesis 3:15) Later, as God's chief spokesman, Jesus made this coming government of God the theme of his teaching. He said it would be mankind's only hope. Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:9, 10; 12:21.

3 Jesus called that incoming government of God "the kingdom of the heavens," since it was to rule from heaven. (Matthew 4:17) He also called it "the kingdom of God," since God would be its Author. (Luke 17:20) Over the centuries God inspired his penmen to write down prophecies about those who would make up that government and what it would accomplish.

1, 2. How has God been making provision to do away with suffering?

What did Jesus call the incoming government for earth, and why?

DOES GOD REALLY CARE ABOUT US?

Earth's New King

4 It was Jesus, nearly two thousand years ago, who fulfilled the many prophecies about the one who would be King of God's Kingdom. He proved to be God's choice for Ruler of that heavenly government over mankind. And after his death, God resurrected Jesus to life in heaven as a powerful, immortal spirit creature. There were many witnesses to his resurrection.—Acts 4:10; 9:1-9; Romans 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.

5 Jesus then "sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10:12) There he awaited the time when God would empower him to take action as King of God's heavenly Kingdom. This fulfilled the prophecy at Psalm 110:1, where God tells him: "Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet."

6 While on earth, Jesus showed that he qualified for such a position. Despite persecution, he chose to maintain his integrity to God. By doing so, he showed that Satan had lied when he claimed that no human would be faithful to God under test. Jesus, a perfect man, the 'second Adam,' showed that God was not mistaken in creating perfect humans. 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45; Matthew 4:1-11.

7 What ruler ever accomplished as much good as Jesus did in the few years of his ministry? Empowered by God's holy spirit, Jesus healed the sick, the crippled, the blind, the deaf, the speechless. He even raised the dead! He demonstrated on a small scale what he would do for mankind on a global scale when he came into Kingdom power.—Matthew 15: 30, 31; Luke 7:11-16.

8 Jesus did so much good while on earth that his disciple John said: "There are, in fact, many other things also which Jesus did, which, if ever they were written in full detail, I suppose, the world itself could not contain the scrolls written."—John 21:25.*

9 Jesus was kind and compassionate, having very great love for people. He helped the poor and the downtrodden, but he did not discriminate against those of wealth or position. Honesthearted people responded to the loving invitation of Jesus when he said: "Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) God-fearing persons flocked to him and looked forward to his rulership.—John 12:19.

Associate Rulers

10 Just as human governments have associate administrators, so does God's heavenly Kingdom. Others besides Jesus are to share in

ruling over the earth, for Jesus promised his close associates that they would rule with him as kings over mankind.—John 14:2, 3; Revelation 5:10; 20:6.

11 Hence, together with Jesus, a limited number of humans are also resurrected to heavenly life. They make up the Kingdom of God that will bring eternal blessings to mankind. (2 Corinthians 4:14; Revelation 14:1-3) So down through the ages, Jehovah has laid the groundwork for a rulership that will bring everlasting blessings to the human family.

Independent Rule to End

12 In this century God has taken a direct hand in earth's affairs. As Part 9 of this brochure will discuss, Bible prophecy shows that God's Kingdom under Christ was set up in 1914 and is now poised to crush Satan's entire system. That Kingdom is ready to "go subduing in the midst of [Christ's] enemies."—Psalm 110:2.

13 In this regard the prophecy at Daniel 2:44 says: "In the days of those kings [now existing] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom [in heaven] which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people [human rule never again to be

12, 13. What is God's Kingdom now poised to do?

God's heavenly Kingdom will crush out of existence all forms of rule independent of him

permitted]. It [God's Kingdom] shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand for ever."—Revised Standard Version.

14 With all rulership independent of God taken out of the way, God's Kingdom rule over the earth will be complete. And because the Kingdom rules from heaven, it can never be corrupted by humans. Governing power will be where it was in the first place, in heaven, with God. And since God's rule will control all the earth, no longer will anybody be misled by false religions or unsatisfactory human philosophies and political theories. None of those things will be allowed to exist.—Matthew 7: 15-23; Revelation, chapters 17 through 19.

What are some benefits that will come as a result of the end of human rule?

Part 9

HOW WE KNOW WE ARE IN "THE LAST DAYS"

How can we be sure that we are living at the time when God's Kingdom will take action against this present system of human rule? How can we know that we are very close to the time when God will bring an end to all wickedness and suffering?

2 The disciples of Jesus Christ wanted to know those things. They asked him what "the sign" would be of his presence in Kingdom power and "of the conclusion of the system of things." (Matthew 24:3) Jesus answered by detailing world-shaking events and conditions that would combine to show that mankind had

1, 2. How can we know whether we are in the last days?

entered "the time of the end," "the last days" of this system of things. (Daniel 11:40; 2 Timothy 3:1) Have we in this century seen that composite sign? Yes, we have, abundantly so!

World Wars

3 Jesus foretold that nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.' (Matthew 24:7) In 1914 the world became involved in a war that saw the mobilizing of nations and kingdoms in a way that was different from any war before it. In recognition of that fact, historians at the time called it the Great War. It was the first war of its kind in history, the first world war. Some 20,000,000 soldiers and civilians lost their lives, far more than in any previous war.

4 World War I marked the beginning of the last days. Jesus said that this and other events would be "a beginning of pangs of distress." (Matthew 24:8) That proved true, as World War II was even more deadly, some 50,000,000 soldiers and civilians losing their lives. In this

3, 4. How do the wars of this century fit the prophecy of Jesus?

20th century, well over 100,000,000 people have been killed in wars, more than four times as many as in the previous 400 years put together! What an enormous condemnation of human rule!

Other Evidences

5 Jesus included other features that would accompany the last days: "There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another pestilences [disease epidemics] and food shortages." (Luke 21:11) That well fits events since 1914, as there has been a huge increase in the distresses from such calamities.

6 Major earthquakes are regular occurrences, taking many lives. The Spanish influenza alone killed about 20,000,000 people following World War I—some estimates being 30,000,000 or more. AIDS has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and could take millions more in the near future. Each year millions of people die of heart ailments, cancer, and other diseases. Millions more die the slow death of hunger. Without a doubt the horsemen of the

The Bible foretold the events that would make up "the sign" of the last days

Apocalypse' with their wars, food shortages, and disease epidemics have been cutting down large numbers of the human family since 1914. Revelation 6:3-8.

7 Jesus also foretold the increase in crime that is experienced in all lands. He said: "Because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off."—Matthew 24:12.

8 Further, Bible prophecy

foretold the moral collapse so evident throughout the world today: "In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power . . . Wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse." (2 Timothy 3:1-13) All of that has come true right before our eyes.

Another Factor

9 There is another factor responsible for the huge increase in suffering in this century. Coinciding with the beginning of the last days in 1914, something happened to put mankind in even greater danger. At that time, as a prophecy in the last book of the Bible relates: "War broke out in heaven: Michael [Christ in heavenly power] and his angels battled with the dragon [Satan], and the dragon and its angels [the demons] battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven.

So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him."—Revelation 12:7-9.

10 What were the consequences for the human family? The prophecy continues: "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time." Yes, Satan knows that his system is nearing its end, so he is doing everything he can to turn humans against God before he and his world are put out of the way. (Revelation 12:12; 20:1-3) How debased those spirit creatures are because they misused their free will! How awful conditions have been on earth under their influence, especially since 1914!

11 It is no wonder that Jesus foretold of our time: "On the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out... Men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth."—Luke 21:25, 26.

End of Human and Demon Rule Near

12 How many Bible prophecies remain to be fulfilled before God destroys this present system? Very few! One of the last is at 1 Thessalonians 5:3, which states: "While they are talking of peace and security, all at once calamity is upon them." (The New English Bible) This shows that the end of this system will begin "while they are talking." Unforeseen by the

world, destruction will strike when least expected, when the attention of humans is on their hoped-for peace and security.

13 Time is running out for this world under Satan's influence. Soon it will come to its end in a time of trouble of which Jesus said: "Then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again."—Matthew 24:21.

14 The climax of the "great tribulation" will be God's war of Armageddon. That is the time spoken of by the prophet Daniel when God will "crush and put an end to all these kingdoms." This will mean the end of all present human rulerships independent of God. His Kingdom rule from heaven will then take over complete control of all human affairs. Never again, Daniel foretold, will governing authority be left "to any other people."—Daniel 2:44; Revelation 16:14-16.

15 At that time all satanic and demon influence will also cease. Those rebellious spirit creatures will be put out of the way so that they cannot "mislead the nations anymore." (Revelation 12:9; 20:1-3) They have been sentenced to death and await destruction. What a relief it will be for mankind to be free from their debasing influence!

Who Will Survive? Who Will Not?

16 When God's judgments are executed against this world, who will survive? Who will not? The Bible shows that those who want God's rule will be protected and will survive. Those who do not want God's rule will not be protected but will be destroyed along with Satan's world.

17 Proverbs 2:21, 22 says: "The upright [those who submit to God's rule] are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked [those who do not submit to God's rule], they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it."

18 Psalm 37:10, 11 also says: "Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more . . . But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." Verse 29 adds: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."

19 We should take to heart the counsel of

What counsel should we take to heart?

Soon, at Armageddon, those who do not submit to God's rule will be cut off. Those who do submit will survive into a righteous new world

Psalm 37:34, which states: "Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, and he will exalt you to take possession of the earth. When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it." Verses 37 and 38 say: "Watch the blameless one and keep the upright one in sight, for the future of that man will be peaceful. But the transgressors themselves will certainly be annihilated together; the future of wicked people will indeed be cut off."

20 How comforting, yes how inspiring it is to know that God really does care and that soon he will put an end to all wickedness and suffering! How

thrilling it is to realize that the fulfillment of those glorious prophecies is but a short time off!

Why can we say these are thrilling times in which to live?

Part 10

THE MARVELOUS NEW WORLD OF GOD'S MAKING

AFTER God's cleansing war of Armageddon, what then? Then a glorious new era will begin. The Armageddon survivors, having already proved their loyalty to God's rule, will be ush-

1, 2. What will happen after the cleansing war of Armageddon?

DOES GOD REALLY CARE ABOUT US?

ered into the new world. What a thrilling new period of history that will be as marvelous benefits flow from God to the human family!

2 Under the direction of God's Kingdom, the survivors will begin to develop a paradise. Their energies will be devoted to unselfish pursuits that will benefit all then living. The earth will begin to be transformed into a beautiful, peaceful, satisfying home for mankind.

Righteousness Replaces Wickedness

3 All of this will be made possible by the destruction of Satan's world. No more will there be divisive false religions, social systems, or governments. No more will there be satanic propaganda to deceive people; all the agencies producing it will go down with Satan's system. Just think: the entire poisonous atmosphere of Satan's world cleared away! What a relief that will be!

4 Then the destructive ideas of human rule will be replaced by the upbuilding teaching

Describe the change in teaching that will take place.

In the new world,

the elderly will return to the vigor of youth

that comes from God. "All your sons will be persons taught by Jehovah." (Isaiah 54:13) With this wholesome instruction year after year, "the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea." (Isaiah 11:9) People will no more learn what is bad, but "righteousness is what the inhabitants of the productive land will certainly learn." (Isaiah 26:9) Upbuilding thoughts and actions will be the order of the day.—Acts 17:31; Philippians 4:8.

Thus, there will be no more murder, violence, rape, robbery, or any other crime. No one will have to suffer because of the wicked deeds of others. Proverbs 10:30 says: "As for the righteous one, to time indefinite he will not be caused to stagger; but as for the wicked ones, they will not keep residing on the earth."

Perfect Health Restored

6 In the new world, there will be a rolling back of all the evil effects of the original rebellion. For example, Kingdom rule will eliminate sickness and old age. Today, even if you enjoy a measure of good health, the hard reality is that as you grow old, your eyes dim, your

teeth decay, your hearing dulls, your skin wrinkles your internal organs break down, until finally you die.

7 However, those distressing effects that we inherited from our first parents will soon be a thing of the past. Do you remember what Jesus demonstrated regarding health while he was on earth? The Bible relates: "Great

All sicknesses and disabilities will be eliminated in the new world

crowds approached him, having along with them people that were lame, maimed, blind, dumb, and many otherwise, and they fairly threw them at his feet, and he cured them; so that the crowd felt amazement as they saw the dumb speaking and the lame walking and the blind seeing."—Matthew 15:30, 31.

8 What great happiness will come in the new world as all our ills are eliminated! The suffering that results from poor health will never again torment us. "No resident will say: 'I am sick.'" "At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness."—Isaiah 33:24; 35:5, 6.

9 Will it not be thrilling to wake up each morning and realize that you now enjoy vibrant health? Will it not be gratifying for elderly persons to know that they have been restored to the full vigor of youth and will achieve the perfection that Adam and Eve

originally enjoyed? The Bible's promise is: "Let his flesh become fresher than in youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor." (Job 33:25) What a delight it will be to throw away those eyeglasses, hearing aids, crutches, wheelchairs, and medicines! Hospitals, doctors, and dentists will never again be needed.

10 Persons who enjoy such vibrant health will not want to die. And they will not have to, for mankind will no longer be in the grip of inherited imperfection and death. Christ "must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing." "The gift God gives is everlasting life."—1 Corinthians 15:25, 26; Romans 6:23; see also Isaiah 25:8.

11 Summing up the benefits that will flow from the caring God to the human family in Paradise, the last book of the Bible says: "And [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."—Revelation 21:3, 4.

The Dead Return

12 Jesus did more than cure the sick and heal the lame. He also brought back persons from the grave. He thus demonstrated the wonderful power of resurrection that God had given to him. Do you recall the occasion when Jesus came to the house of a man whose daughter had died? Jesus said to the dead girl: "Maiden, I say to you, Get up!" With what result? "Immediately the maiden rose and began walking." On seeing that, the people there "were beside themselves with great ecstasy." They could hardly contain their happiness!

Mark 5:41, 42; see also Luke 7:11-16; John 11:1-45.

13 In the new world, "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) At that time Jesus will use his God-given power to raise the dead because, as he said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life." (John 11:25) He also said: "All those in the memorial tombs [in God's memory] will hear his [Jesus'] voice and come out."—John 5:28, 29.

14 Great will be the joy earth wide when group after group of dead persons come back to life to join their loved ones! No longer will there be obituary columns to bring sadness to the survivors. Instead, there may well be just the opposite: announcements of newly resurrected ones to bring joy to those who loved them. So no more funerals, funeral pyres, crematoriums, or cemeteries!

What types of people are going to be resurrected?

Because death will be no more, what things will be done away with?

A Truly Peaceful World

15 True peace in all areas of life will be realized. Wars, promoters of wars, and the manufacturing of weapons will be things of the past. Why? Because divisive national, tribal, and racial interests will disappear. Then, in the fullest sense, "they will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war anymore."—Micah 4:3.

16 This may seem astonishing in view of man's bloodthirsty history of constant war. But that has come about because mankind has been under human and demon rule. In the new world, under Kingdom rule, this is what will happen: "Come, you people, behold the activities of Jehovah . . . He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces; the [war] wagons he burns in the fire."—Psalm 46:8, 9.

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