The Issue of Universal Sovereignty

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

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.

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, 7. Why has God allowed humans total freedom for so long?

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

8, 9. (a) How did rebellion break out in the spirit realm? (b) Who besides Adam and Eve did Satan influence to rebel?

⁸ 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. What resulted from the rebellion of humans and spirit creatures?

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. Regarding what other issue did Satan challenge God?

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.

12-14. How would time reveal the truth about the two issues Satan raised?

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?

What Has Been the Result of Rebellion?

1-3. How has time proved Jehovah to be correct?

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. Why are all of us born imperfect, prone to sickness and death?

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.

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

⁵ 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 wars. In our time countless numbers of people have been tortured, murdered, and imprisoned because of intolerance and political differences.

The Situation Today

7. How can the condition of the human family today be described?

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.

8. Why can we not call mankind’s achievements true progress?

⁸ 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?

What Time Has Shown

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

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.

11. Has any form of human rule eliminated suffering?

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

12-14. What long-range benefits come as a result of God’s permission of suffering?

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.

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.

God’s Purpose Moves Toward Fulfillment

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

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

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.

Earth’s New King

4, 5. How did God show that Jesus was his approved 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. How did Jesus show that he qualified to be King of God’s Kingdom?

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, 8. What good things did Jesus do while on earth, and what did he demonstrate?

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.a

9. Why did honesthearted persons flock to Jesus?

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, 11. Who will share with Jesus in ruling over the earth?

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

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

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.