The first man and woman had before them the prospect of perfect endless life in a paradise setting that they, with their children, would eventually spread to all corners of the earth. But that prospect hinged on their loyalty to God. Disobedience would introduce into the picture a new genetic element​—imperfection and death—​that would be passed on to future generations. What happened?​—Genesis 2:15-17.

The apostle Paul explains the situation very simply, saying that “through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] many were constituted sinners” and “death ruled as king through that one.” (Romans 5:17-19) By rejecting God’s sovereignty, Adam and Eve started humankind down the road to suffering, sickness, and death. Even as Moses said regarding Israel, so it can be said of mankind in general: “They have acted ruinously on their own part; they are not his children, the defect is their own. A generation crooked and twisted!”​—Deuteronomy 32:5.

As a consequence, men have chosen independence from God and turned away from his rulership. But to what have they turned? Knowingly or otherwise, they have submitted to the sovereignty of “the god of this system of things [who] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) They have become pawns in the hands of the Devil, “the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) This they have done by choosing man-made political and religious rulerships that have led to hatred, disaster, and suffering. Little wonder that the Bible says that Satan the Devil “is misleading [deceiving, Living Bible] the entire inhabited earth.”​—Revelation 12:9.

Similar to the son in the parable, our first human parents chose the path of independence from God. Of course, unlike the prodigal son, Adam and Eve never returned to their Father, but due to their rebellious course, mankind was drawn into an issue that could only be settled in the eyes of intelligent creation, visible and invisible, by allowing time to pass. Now, after 6,000 years of independence from God and his rulership, what has been proved? As Jeremiah the prophet put it: “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) Man’s history has shown that “man has dominated man to his injury.” Like the prodigal son, many who have learned this are turning to their heavenly Father for direction, proving Satan to be a liar in his claim that he could turn everyone away from serving God.​—Ecclesiastes 8:9.

Jehovah soon will act against unrepentant Satan and those who support his independent course, thus putting an end to the rebellion and all its consequences. Sufficient time has elapsed for a precedent to be established for all future ages. With this precedent it will never again be necessary for Jehovah to allow any future rebellion, whether in the visible realm or in the invisible realm. Time and experience have shown that neither Satan nor man, separated from God, can exercise rulership in a just manner.​—Revelation 16:14-16; 20:1-3.