Why Are We Here on Planet Earth?

HAVE you ever looked up into a cloudless sky at night and wondered, Why am I here? Of all the planets and other heavenly bodies, the earth alone is known to provide an ideal environment for the maintenance of a great variety of plant and creature life. Is it just by a chance combination of many improbabilities that this earth and its various life forms came into existence? Or, is there evidence that such things are the handiwork of an intelligent Maker?

Many people today believe that humans are the product of evolution and have no accountability to a superior being. So they conclude that our purpose for being on earth is to live our life according to our own desires and standards. As “no person is an island,” each would, of course, have to exercise care not to ruin relationships with those upon whom he or she depended. Basically, one’s whole life might center around pleasing oneself and trying to make some contribution to society with a view to gaining personal satisfaction and recognition in the world.

But of what real encouragement is such a view? Regardless of what a person may accomplish during his lifetime, all will be lost at death. Eventually he will be forgotten as a person, though his name may be mentioned for a number of years thereafter.

All of this gives rise to the question, Are some seventy or eighty years of life on earth really enough to make life seem meaningful? Rather, does it not seem frustrating that so much is lost at death? A person spends some twenty years growing up, another twenty years or so gaining further knowledge and experience, and not long thereafter he begins to age and weaken. Finally death puts a stop to all his work. While some of his knowledge may have been imparted to others, the sum total of his knowledge and experience is lost to posterity. What a shame and waste this is when, after so many centuries of man’s existence, there are still countless mysteries about this earth and boundless space that remain to be solved!

On the other hand, millions of persons believe that an intelligent Maker exists. If this is so, what is his purpose for the earth and man upon it? Is the earth, as many think, a place that will finally be destroyed? Is it merely a testing ground for determining the eternal fate of mankind? If the earth is such a proving ground, how could one explain why even newborn babies die? What have they done to prove what kind of persons they are? Then, too, why would an intelligent Creator rip men and women off the earthly scene long before they could get acquainted with more than just a small part of their vast testing ground? And what reason would there be for His wanting to burn up our beautiful planet, with its delightful variety of life forms?

In ever-increasing numbers people today are not satisfied with the commonly held views as to why humans are here on earth. This may well be your feeling too. But is there any way to know for a certainty the real reason for our being here on earth? Or, might it be to our advantage just to forget about this matter and live our life as best we can?

The fact is that wrong viewpoints about these things could be damaging to us. For example, if there is no Maker to whom humans have any accountability, hundreds of millions of persons are being deluded. Their beliefs may be moving them to sacrifice their time, energy and assets in furthering religious goals that will benefit no one. On the other hand, if a Supreme Being exists and this One has a purpose for man, we should want to know what that purpose is. Only then would we be in a position to live in harmony with His purpose. Yes, the view we have as to our reason for being on earth may affect our life both now and in the future.

There Must Be a Purpose

ALMOST everyone has a desire to accomplish something, unless he has become so frustrated that he has adopted the philosophy, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die.’ But even those who have given themselves up to follow this purposeless pattern have a feeling of unfulfillment and are unhappy. Even though its attainment may not be guaranteed, it is much more satisfying to work toward some goal than to live a completely aimless life.

Moreover, most people not only want a worthwhile purpose in life, but along with that want opportunity to enjoy life in a constructive way. They are interested in the earth and their fellowman and realize that the really profitable purposes are those that contribute to the welfare and happiness of others. One who is awake to the beauty of his surroundings and to the good that one finds in other people is stirred more than ever to work toward a purpose. The efforts made by thousands of persons in medical research and in many scientific fields illustrate that​—despite selfishness and imperfections—​a great many people are basically interested in the welfare of others.

If humans can have this view, what about the Creator? If you could look on the earth from his vantage point, would you think it logical or satisfying merely to see successive generations come onto the scene, live a few turbulent and frustrating years, and then die off? Would you consider it purposeful for this same scene to be repeated over and over, indefinitely? When God declared, as recorded at Isaiah 45:18: ‘I, the Former of the earth, did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited,’ did he mean for it to be inhabited by dying generations? Is he going to let the situation continue as described by the Bible writer who observed the vanity of such a condition and said: “A generation goes and a generation comes, and the earth stands forever”? (Eccl. 1:4, Byington) Does that seem to be the kind of purpose you would expect of an all-wise Creator? Surely he must have a greater overall purpose in what is taking place, with a view toward better things to come.

Purpose Evident in Human Body

Take a closer view of the living things on the earth, particularly humankind, earth’s highest form of life. You can see that no feature of man’s body is without purpose. Look at your hand. Has anyone ever made a substitute as suitable, as dexterous, as beautiful? Think of the sense of touch, the ability to move the fingers to do what you desire. No human production on this earth, from a tiny transistor to a mighty ocean liner, could have been constructed without the manipulation of those God-given fingers.

Consider your eyes​—two beautifully formed tiny spherelike motion-picture “cameras” that are perfectly coordinated, and that can take color pictures in three dimensions, with no time needed for development. But the eye is far superior to a camera. For example, it needs no shutter to “freeze” the motion of an object. The eye sees motion without a blur and sorts moving objects from stationary ones. These two living cameras, along with the sight-interpreting section of the brain, are formed within the human embryo out of a few minerals, some protein, fat, sugar and water.

A scientific report in the New York Times said of the marvelous brain:

‘The constitution of the brain as a physical entity is so complex that it makes any of the giant electronic computers mere child’s toys by comparison. Even a single nerve cell of the brain is composed of infinitely more complex parts than the greatest machine ever made by man. Yet the cerebral cortex of the brain, the seat of the higher mental functions, which constitutes only a small part of the total organ, is composed of ten billion individual nerve cells. Each is a complex protoplasmic unit functioning as a living dynamo.’

And of the trillion or so cells in the human body, studies have revealed that any one of these cells can perform one to two thousand different chemical reactions simultaneously!

Earth Designed as Man’s Ideal Home

When you turn your gaze toward the earth itself, it is evident that it is a marvelous place for mankind in which to live​—just the right place. When man and woman were placed on the earth, everything for their sustenance and happy life was here for them to enjoy. Even today the ecology​—where man has not unduly interfered with it—​provides what mankind needs. This was highlighted in a lecture to a college group in Brooklyn, New York. The speaker said:

‘How much like a literal home this earth is designed and equipped! For example, a literal home has a light in the ceiling; the earth does also​—the sun. A literal home has a night light in the hall; the earth does also​—the moon. God said that the moon would be a luminary to dominate the night. (Gen. 1:14-18) Its composition is slightly luminescent. It provides a soft glow that does not interfere with sleep.

‘A literal home has a plumbing system to convey water to the different rooms; the earth also is equipped with a plumbing system that conveys water by underground pipes or channels everywhere on the earth. Even in the mountains we find sparkling springs. In places in the Sahara desert it is necessary to dig down only a few feet to obtain water.

‘In the cellar of a family home there is oil or coal for heating; in the “cellar” deposits of the earth, oil and coal are waiting for man to use also. In the basement of a home one usually sees pieces of copper, iron and other metals to use in repairing and making things. Well, the earth has these also in its “cellar deposits”: iron, copper, silver, gold, platinum and others. And there are diamonds, rubies and numberless other gems for the women of this earthly “family” to deck themselves in beauteous array.

‘In a home a variety of food is to be found in the pantry. The earth also has a bounteous “pantry” with a host of delicious nutrients: fruits, berries, melons, vegetables, grains and many others for mankind’s sustenance.’

Can anyone logically say that all these things are put there aimlessly, or that they happened by chance? When a home is thus equipped, do we not know that there is a designer?

The beauty of all of this is that man was made for the earth and the earth purposely made for man. God speaks of the earth as his gift to mankind. (Ps. 115:16) Man, as the one having dominion over the earth, should certainly be as well fitted for happy life on it as are the animals. (Gen. 1:26-28) If humans were relieved of their infirmities of mind and body, they should be as much at home in their proper surroundings as are, for instance, the mountain goats in their habitat. These animals leap unerringly from rock to rock on the virtually sheer face of a cliff. (Compare Job, chapter 39.) If man were in full possession and control of his faculties, with all his senses alive, alert, would he not be even more accident-free than are these creatures? Think of the incredibly accurate, split-second acrobatic feats that can be performed by those who train for it, even now, despite imperfection of mind and body.

Man’s Capacity tor Spirituality

Considering all these things, does it not seem fitting that humans should enjoy more than seventy or eighty years of existence? This becomes an even bigger question when we look at the human makeup as regards personality, emotions and hopes. The Bible says that man was made ‘in the image and likeness of God.’ (Gen. 1:26) Humans have a sense of morality and a capacity for spirituality, qualities that animals do not have. And if this human spiritual capacity is not satisfactorily filled, people cannot be happy. Jesus Christ said: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.” (Matt. 5:3) One who realizes his spiritual need will seek its fulfillment. God is willing to satisfy the sincere seeker. Jesus said: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?”​—Matt. 7:7, 11, Revised Standard Version.

If you observe with sadness the frustration that exists, and if you look for the answer to the question, Is there a purpose in life? you are conscious of a spiritual need.

What Man’s Maker Has in Mind

IT WAS never God’s purpose for man to live a few years on earth and then die. The Bible plainly shows that the prospect he put before the first humans was endless life on earth. A “tree of life” in their delightful parklike home served as a symbol of the Creator’s unchangeable guarantee of life to those whom he judged worthy of partaking of its fruit.​—Gen. 2:9; 3:22.

Today no literal “tree of life” exists anywhere on earth. Gone too is the lovely paradise home that the first humans, Adam and Eve, enjoyed in their perfection. Does this mean that God’s purpose for man has changed?

What a person sees today may lead him to think that God has changed his mind about the earth and mankind. But appearances can be deceptive. God’s Word, the Bible, gives us positive assurance that there has been no change in the Creator’s purpose. We read: “God is not a man that he should tell lies, neither a son of mankind that he should feel regret. Has he himself said it and will he not do it, and has he spoken and will he not carry it out?” (Num. 23:19) “I am Jehovah; I have not changed.”​—Mal. 3:6.

Actually, the fact that humans have been dying for thousands of years confirms the dependability of what God has said. How so? Because, regarding the consequences of disobedience, Adam was told: “You will positively die.” (Gen. 2:17) Yielding to his wife’s persuasion, Adam violated God’s law. The Creator held true to his word, sentencing Adam to death on that very day. God said: “In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.”​—Gen. 3:19.

As Adam and his wife were permitted to live for a time and become parents, a dying human family came into existence. Having lost his life rights, Adam could not pass these on as an inheritance to his offspring. That is why the Bible says: “Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.”​—Rom. 5:12.

So, the expression of God’s judgment upon Adam has proved true and we are still feeling its effects. Should we not expect, then, that the Almighty’s purpose to have mankind live forever in a paradise earth will also materialize? Most assuredly!

In harmony with his original purpose for man to live and not die, the Bible gives this assurance: “[God] will actually swallow up death forever.” (Isa. 25:8) So, then, there must be a restoration of the human family to the perfection that Adam and Eve once enjoyed.

Basis for Restoration

Many centuries ago the basis for this restoration was laid by God himself. Since Adam, through his disobedience, forfeited the life rights of the human family, the Most High made provision to redeem these. He transferred the life of his foremost Son from the heavens to the womb of a Jewish virgin named Mary. The first-century physician Luke reports what Mary was told just prior to her miraculous conception: “Holy spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God’s Son.”​—Luke 1:35.

This one, Jesus Christ, maintained flawless obedience toward his God and Father. So when he gave up his human life rights, he was able to buy back the life rights that Adam lost for all his offspring. Regarding this, the Holy Scriptures tell us: “Through one trespass the result to men of all sorts was condemnation, likewise also through one act of justification the result to men of all sorts is a declaring of them righteous for life. For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were constituted sinners, likewise also through the obedience of the one person many will be constituted righteous.”​—Rom. 5:18, 19.

The fact that Jesus Christ maintained flawless conduct as a man proved that this was possible for perfect humans. On this basis, God could view as righteous even imperfect persons if they showed the same kind of devotion as did his Son. For, if these devoted persons also had perfection, they, too, would be able to maintain absolutely blameless conduct. Hence, there was a foundation for Jehovah God to bring humankind into unity with himself through his Son.

Why Have So Many Centuries Passed?

But why, centuries later, do we still find ourselves plagued with weaknesses and imperfections? The reason for this is that God has a specific time for acting. Jesus Christ, upon his being resurrected from the dead, told his loyal disciples: “It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction.”.​—Acts 1:7.

We, therefore, need to wait patiently for God’s times and seasons, not looking at matters from the human standpoint. In the case of a man who wants to reach a certain goal, he must act within a comparatively short time. On account of a limited life-span, he cannot afford to postpone a matter indefinitely.

The Creator, however, is not in any way limited by time. To him a “thousand years” are “but as yesterday when it is past, and as a [four-hour] watch during the night.” (Ps. 90:4) He is from “time indefinite to time indefinite.” (Ps. 90:2) He does not have to cope with uncertainties. The future is no blank page to him. The Bible speaks of him as the “One telling from the beginning the finale, and from long ago the things that have not been done.” (Isa. 46:10) Jehovah God can, therefore, take into consideration the past, present and future in deciding the best time to act in behalf of humankind. Since he can also resurrect the dead, the fact that his day for restoring mankind to perfection is yet future does not result in lasting hurt to man. That is why the Most High is under no pressure to act before his own due time, the right time.

Is there any way to know just when we might expect deliverance from human weaknesses and imperfections? The Bible shows that this will take place after the present ungodly system is destroyed and replaced with a righteous new order. The “day and hour” for the execution of God’s judgment upon the present system has not been revealed in the Holy Scriptures. (Matt. 24:36-42) But the Bible does tell about the situation that would exist on earth just prior to that event.

We read: “There will be terrible times in the last days. Men will be lovers of self and of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, profane, inhuman, implacable, slanderous, licentious, brutal, hating the good. They will be treacherous, reckless, pompous, lovers of pleasure rather than of God as they make a pretense of religion.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5, New American Bible) Is it not true that what is here described is making life increasingly hard for people today? Does this not show that God’s time to bring these “last days” to an end is very near?

A Grand Purpose to Be Realized

After this system comes to its end, Jehovah God has in mind restoring the human family to perfection through his Son, Jesus Christ, and a body of heavenly rulers, the members of which have been purchased from the earth. Those who will make up this ruling body are men and women who have demonstrated their unswerving loyalty to God and their unselfish interest in fellow humans.​—Rev. 14:5.

Jesus Christ and his blameless associate rulers will take control of earth’s affairs right after the present imperfect system of things is uprooted from the earth. This means that those ruining the earth will themselves come to their ruin or destruction. (Rev. 11:18) Thereafter marvelous changes will be experienced by those surviving the destruction of earth’s ruiners. They will have the loving attention of Jesus Christ and his associate rulers ‘for a thousand years.’ (Rev. 20:6) During this time the earth will be transformed into a paradise. All the troubles and suffering of the past will be eliminated. And the dead will be resurrected. The last book of the Bible, Revelation, describes what God will do through his heavenly government:

“He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”​—Rev. 21:4.

How marvelous indeed is the prospect of witnessing the fulfillment of God’s original purpose​—to see humankind restored to perfection and this earth transformed into a beautiful paradise home! Is there anything you can do now to share in the certain realization of that purpose?

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Jehovah God made man to live, not to die, and placed the first humans in a delightful parklike home, or paradise

Seize the Opportunity Now!

IT IS a fine thing for mankind that their maker is also their loving Provider and Caretaker. Because of this, he did not leave humanity on its own after man’s fall into sin and death. He did not show unconcern as though he were “dead” to their hopes, their loves, their vicissitudes. On the contrary, he manifested the greatest concern by laying a foundation for human recovery by giving his own Son. And he has progressively moved closer and closer to the realization of his full purpose toward humankind​—fullness of life on a beautified earth.

To understand this purpose is to know why we are here on earth. But more importantly, it gives us direction for what we are to do now. We come to realize that it is not merely a matter of looking to the time ahead when life will be more purposeful, but living now with, real purpose. The apostle speaks absolute truth, therefore, when he says: “Godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come.”​—1 Tim. 4:8.

So that we can devote ourselves to the truthful, sensible, upbuilding things, God stands nearby. He allows himself to be approached for guidance toward a purposeful life. The apostle Paul addressed a group of non-Christians in Athens, among them a number of Greek philosophers who were seeking the reasons for life. He explained to them that God had provided a way for men to seek him, “if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us.”​—Acts 17:24-27.

Can any one of us say that he does not need guidance from someone of higher wisdom and experience? All of humankind are in sad need of it in these serious times. Guidance in a purposeful life brings greater happiness now to us and to our loved ones. Furthermore, it is something to be seized now because it equips us so as to be in line for ‘the life to come.’

The ‘Life to Come’

The ‘life to come’ for billions of people will actually be the kind of life that God purposed for man at the beginning. He told Adam and Eve: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the earth.” (Gen. 1:28) There was no mention of death to this couple except for disobedience. (Gen. 2:17) God’s purpose was for them to have an uninterrupted existence forever if they obeyed. Certainly obedience to him was no unreasonable requirement from the Maker of the vast universe, who definitely knows what mankind needs for happiness.​—Matt. 6:8.

To live forever on earth! That is actually what God says is his purpose for man. This would require first, of course, that the earth remain forever. The psalmist was inspired to write for our comfort: “[God] has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever.” (Ps. 104:5) Repeatedly the Bible speaks of God’s destroying wickedness off the earth and leaving righteous survivors.​—Ps. 37:1, 2, 9, 11, 20, 27, 34; 115:16.

The Bible’s last book, Revelation, deals extensively with ‘the life that is to come.’ It tells of God’s determination to “bring to ruin those ruining the earth” and of a great number surviving the final “great tribulation” that will destroy the wicked. (Rev. 11:18; Matt. 24:21) Of ‘the life that is to come’ for the survivors, God’s promise is: “The One seated on the throne will spread his tent [of protection and security] over them. They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down upon them nor any scorching heat, because the Lamb [Jesus Christ], who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”​—Rev. 7:9, 14-17.

The “River of Water of Life”

Of those “waters of life,” the last chapter of Revelation gives more details. Since Jesus said, earlier, “Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty at all, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water bubbling up to impart everlasting life,” we see that the “waters of life” are connected with Jesus’ atonement sacrifice for mankind. (John 4:14) Therefore, as we read Revelation’s description we understand that the sum total of all the provisions for mankind’s life through Jesus Christ is represented by the “river of water of life” there depicted. We read:

“And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its broad way [the stream comes through “New Jerusalem,” the heavenly capital, wherein the glorified Jesus Christ and his associate heavenly kings reside]. And on this side of the river and on that side there were trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees were for the curing of the nations.”​—Rev. 22:1, 2.

The people in that new arrangement of things on earth will regularly receive the curative application of the value of Christ’s sacrifice to remove their sins and to heal them of all their sicknesses and imperfections. Sin, which causes death, finally being removed from all of them, “death will be no more.” (Rev. 21:4; 1 Cor. 15:26) This assures everlasting life for those who partake of God’s provisions. Now is the time for all who hear to seize the opportunity, getting what is now available of the “river of water of life.” The invitation is: “Let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.”​—Rev. 22:17; 2 Cor. 6:1, 2.

Everlasting Life Not Monotonous or Boring

‘But,’ someone may ask, ‘would a person have a more purposeful life in living forever than he can have now? Would he not just experience the same cycle of life​—eating, sleeping, working, for endless time? Is it not as purposeful to live as many do now, trying to achieve something for future generations, and then letting these take over?’

To answer such questions, consider just how far people actually succeed in accomplishing a purpose in life today. How many are able to contribute something that is genuinely lasting, that serves to preserve lives or to make living better for others? In reality, circumstances and a limited life-span often thwart such efforts. (Eccl. 2:11, 17-21) But think what a person could do with an unlimited span of life! He could continually add to his knowledge and ability. He could enrich his personality. His valuable ability to contribute to human society would not be diminished​—it would continually be enhanced. He would not deteriorate into old age. Today many people are saddened by the fact that their productive days are inexorably dwindling and their life nearing its end. That is why the Bible recommends: ‘Remember, now, your Grand Creator in the days of your youth.’​—Eccl. 12:1.

Furthermore, with everlasting life, a person, while never ceasing to learn, would never be able to discover everything about this earth and the things in it. The study of this great scientific “laboratory,” which the earth is, will never end. Each discovery will open up countless new “doors” and vistas. And association with our fellowman, who is progressing in the same way, but in other fields of endeavor, will lend delightful variety. Enjoying the talents and personalities of one another will be an endless pleasure.

But far more exhilarating than these things will be continuing to take in knowledge of the unfathomable God and receiving the riches of his love and wisdom. Jesus, who, before coming to earth, had a heavenly existence of unknown duration with God, said of himself: “I live because of the Father,” and, “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.”​—John 6:57; 17:3.

“Fill the Earth”

Would the end of death mean that the earth would eventually become intolerably overpopulated? No. Having a purpose toward the earth, the Creator said to the original pair: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth.” (Gen. 1:28) Certainly a wise Creator knows what the earth will support and would allow it to be filled only to the extent that life would be comfortable, not overfilled. Just as he is able to create, causing his creations to work in harmony for the general well-being, so he can carry out this stated purpose without hurt or sorrow to any.

If you seize the opportunity to learn about God’s purpose, you will experience God’s promise of “the life now.” You will be exhilarated by progressive understanding of the pattern of his marvelous purpose in its care for every detail that will make mankind happy. You will see that all doubts that you might have had as to why things are as they are today, and about the wisdom of God’s purposes, were because of human inability and lack of information. To those who challenged the wisdom of God’s dealings in times of old, he said: “Would you dare question me concerning my children, or instruct me in my handiwork? I alone, I made the earth and created man upon it.”​—Isa. 45:11, 12, NE.

The Bible, revealing God’s purpose, can be an open book to you. And, more than a good life now, it also opens up the wonderful prospect of a reunion with your loved ones, in a righteous earth where death will be no more. (Rev. 21:3, 4) Seize the opportunity now. Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to help you to study the Bible in your own home, free of charge.

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The many things earth contains will forever delight all mankind

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Earth is an unfathomable scientific ‘laboratory.’ It has provided many comforts for man now. What will it provide for man’s delight forever in the paradise earth?

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With unity, friendliness, hospitality and generosity on all sides, would life ever be boring?