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WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD PERMIT WICKEDNESS?

Note to the speaker:

Present answers that first-time attenders can grasp. Strengthen the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses who may struggle with this question when tragedy strikes them personally

GOD HATES THE EVIL OF SATAN’S WORLD (5 min.)

Victims of accidents, crime, war, terrorism, and disasters, often ask, “Why?” ( g 11/06 3-9)

Have you wondered why a loving God would permit evil things to occur?

Even faithful servants of God pondered that question [Read Habakkuk 1:3]

Some people conclude that God does not care about humans

The Bible reveals that God hates suffering and injustice (Jg 2:18; Pr 6:16-19)

Jehovah felt hurt at heart because of all the badness in Noah’s day, and his hatred of wickedness has not changed (Ge 6:5, 6)

Be assured that God is never the source of wickedness (Job 34:10; Jas 1:13)

WHY GOD HAS TOLERATED WICKEDNESS (20 min.)

So why does a loving, just, and all powerful God permit the evil of Satan’s world? ( w02 10/1 5-6)

A common misconception is that God directly controls every situation

However, Jesus identified Satan the Devil as “the ruler of the world,” the one responsible for wickedness (Joh 14:30; 1Jo 5:19)

Satan, “the father of the lie,” has seduced wicked angels and humans to join him in rebelling against God (Joh 8:44; Jude 6)

Jehovah has permitted evil to exist for the past 6,000 years in order to settle the issues raised by Satan once and for all time (Ge 3:1-6)

Satan questioned Jehovah’s right to rule ( bh 109-110 pars. 10-11)

Has independence from God brought true freedom and lasting happiness? No!

Human rule has resulted in war, oppression, suffering, and death (Ec 8:9; Ro 8:22; w13 9/1 3-5)

Jehovah well knows the pains we suffer and promises to bring relief (Ex 3:7; 2Co 1:3, 4)

Jehovah assured Habakkuk that He had set an “appointed time” to eliminate injustice and oppression (Hab 2:3-5)

Jesus has already begun to “break up the works of the Devil” (1Jo 3:8)

How comforting to know that all suffering will soon end! (Ps 37:9-11; 72:12-14; w13 9/1 6-7)

The patience of our loving God means salvation for “the meek” (Ps 149:4; Jer 29:11, 12; 2Pe 3:9)

EXPERIENCE “THE REAL LIFE” FREE FROM SUFFERING (5 min.)

If you have sincerely cried out to God asking why, then listen to him by taking to heart his message of comfort and hope [Read Revelation 21:4; 22:1, 2]

Any damage experienced in this system of things will be reversed [Read Isaiah 65:17]

In the meantime, hope in Jehovah and imitate the patient attitude of faithful ones, past and present (Hab 3:16-18; Heb 6:9-12)

As you continue to support God’s sovereignty, you will soon experience “the real life” free of all wickedness (1Ti 6:19)

[Adhere closely to the outlined material, and observe the indicated timing of each section. Not all cited texts need to be read or commented on.

See Ministry School, pp. 52-55, 166-169]

No. 187-E 7/13 TO BE COVERED