Satan’s Way of Ruling Sure to Fail

“It will not turn out well at all with the wicked one.”​—ECCL. 8:13.

1. Why is the coming judgment of the wicked comforting news?

SOONER or later the wicked will have to be brought to justice. They will have to answer for what they have done. (Prov. 5:22; Eccl. 8:12, 13) That is comforting news, especially for those who love righteousness and who have suffered injustice and mistreatment at the hands of the wicked. Foremost among the wicked who will be brought to justice is the father of wickedness, Satan the Devil.​—John 8:44.

2. Why was time needed to settle the issue raised in Eden?

² Back in Eden, Satan, consumed by feelings of self-importance, caused humans to reject Jehovah’s way of governing. As a result, our first parents joined Satan in challenging Jehovah’s rightful authority and became sinners in His sight. (Rom. 5:12-14) Of course, Jehovah knew how their disrespectful and rebellious course would turn out for them. However, that inevitable outcome had to be made obvious to all intelligent creatures. Hence, time was needed to settle the issue and to demonstrate convincingly that the rebels were utterly wrong.

3. What is our position toward human governments?

³ Since humans rejected Jehovah’s oversight, they had to set up their own forms of government. The apostle Paul, writing to fellow believers in Rome, spoke of such human governments as “the superior authorities.” In Paul’s day, the superior authorities were primarily the government of Rome under Emperor Nero, who ruled from 54-68 C.E. Paul said that such superior authorities “stand placed in their relative positions by God.” (Read Romans 13:1, 2.) Does that mean that Paul was advocating human rule as superior to God’s way of governing? By no means. Rather, he was simply saying that as long as Jehovah allows human rulership to exist, Christians should respect “the arrangement of God” and accept such rulers.

A Path Leading to Disaster

4. Explain why human rule is bound to fail.

⁴ Still, human rule influenced by Satan is certain to fail. Why? For one thing, because it is not based on divine wisdom. Only Jehovah possesses perfect wisdom. Thus, he is the only reliable guide as to what constitutes successful rulership. (Jer. 8:9; Rom. 16:27) Unlike humans, who often learn by trial and error, Jehovah always knows the best possible way to act. Any governmental arrangement that does not follow his guidance is bound to be inferior. For that reason alone​—not to mention the wicked motive involved—​Satan’s alternative way of governing by means of human rule was sure to fail from the start.

5, 6. What apparently led Satan into his course of opposition to Jehovah?

⁵ A sensible person generally refrains from embarking on an endeavor that is doomed to fail. If he insists on going ahead with his endeavor, he will be forced to recognize his error. History has proved many times over that it is useless to stand in opposition to the almighty Creator. (Read Proverbs 21:30.) Satan, however, blinded by feelings of self-importance and pride, turned his back on Jehovah. Thus the Devil plunged headlong onto a path that could end only in disaster.

⁶ Satan’s presumptuous attitude was later reflected by a Babylonian ruler who is recorded as boasting: “To the heavens I shall go up. Above the stars of God I shall lift up my throne, and I shall sit down upon the mountain of meeting, in the remotest parts of the north. I shall go up above the high places of the clouds; I shall make myself resemble the Most High.” (Isa. 14:13-15) That ruler’s senseless undertaking failed, and the Babylonian dynasty came to an inglorious end. Similarly, Satan and his world will soon go down in total defeat.

Why Permitted?

7, 8. What are some benefits from Jehovah’s allowing wickedness to exist for some time?

⁷ Some may wonder why Jehovah did not prevent humans from taking sides with Satan and from following an alternative plan for governing that was certain to fail. As God Almighty, he could surely have done so. (Ex. 6:3) Nevertheless, he held back. His wisdom dictated that temporarily refraining from interfering in man’s rebellion would in the long run work out for the best. Eventually, Jehovah would be vindicated as being a righteous and loving Ruler, and faithful humans would benefit from God’s decision.

⁸ What misery could have been spared the human family if humans had rejected Satan’s advances and refused to strike out for independence from God’s rule! Still, Jehovah’s decision to allow humans to rule themselves for a time has had benefits. It has deeply impressed on righthearted individuals the wisdom of listening to God and of trusting in him. Over the centuries, humans have experimented with numerous kinds of governments, but not one of them has proved to be ideal. That fact has served to strengthen worshippers of God in their conviction that Jehovah’s way of governing is indeed best. Granted, Jehovah’s permission of Satan’s wicked rulership has resulted in hardships for mankind, including for those who faithfully worship God. Still, the temporary permission of wickedness has also resulted in benefits for these faithful worshippers.

A Rebellion That Has Served to Glorify Jehovah

9, 10. Explain how Satan’s rule results in Jehovah’s glory.

⁹ Allowing humans to be influenced by Satan and to rule themselves has in no way discredited Jehovah’s way of governing. On the contrary! History proves that Jeremiah’s statement, uttered under inspiration, about the inability of humans to govern themselves is correct. (Read Jeremiah 10:23.) In addition, Satan’s rebellion has given Jehovah an opportunity to demonstrate His fine qualities in a more pronounced way. How so?

¹⁰ Against the backdrop of Satan’s disastrous rule, Jehovah’s perfect qualities are even more obvious than they otherwise might have been. In this way, he has been magnified in the eyes of those who love him. Yes, paradoxical as it may sound, Satan’s way of governing has in reality served to glorify God. It has highlighted the superlative way in which Jehovah has dealt with this challenge to his sovereignty. To illustrate that truth, let us briefly consider some of Jehovah’s qualities and see how Satan’s wicked rule has moved Jehovah to show these qualities in additional ways.

11. How has Jehovah’s love been manifested?

¹¹ Love. The Scriptures tell us that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) The creation of humans was, in the first place, an expression of God’s love. Furthermore, the fear-inspiring and wonderful way in which we are made bears witness to God’s love. Jehovah also lovingly provided humans with a beautiful home containing everything necessary for their happiness. (Gen. 1:29-31; 2:8, 9; Ps. 139:14-16) But once wickedness was introduced into the human family, Jehovah expressed his love in new ways. How? The apostle John quotes Jesus as saying: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Could God have shown his love for mankind in a more remarkable way than by sending his only-begotten Son to earth in order to ransom sinners? (John 15:13) This great demonstration of love also served as a pattern for humans, giving them the opportunity to reflect God’s self-sacrificing love in everyday life, even as Jesus did.​—John 17:25, 26.

12. In what way is Jehovah’s power demonstrated?

¹² Power. Only “God, the Almighty,” has the power to create life. (Rev. 11:17; Ps. 36:9) At birth, a human starts out like a blank sheet of paper, as it were. At death, he has filled that blank sheet with the decisions, actions, and experiences of a lifetime that shaped his individuality and personality. That information can be filed away in Jehovah’s memory. In due time, Jehovah can restore the individual to life again, complete with his unique life pattern. (John 5:28, 29) Thus, although not God’s original purpose for humans, death has given Jehovah the opportunity to show that his power reaches even beyond the grave. Indeed, Jehovah is “God, the Almighty.”

13. How was Jesus’ sacrifice a demonstration of Jehovah’s perfect justice?

¹³ Justice. Jehovah does not lie; neither does he act unjustly. (Deut. 32:4; Titus 1:2) He always holds to the highest standards of truth and of justice, even when doing so appears to be to his own disadvantage. (Rom. 8:32) How painful it must have been for Jehovah to see his beloved Son die on a torture stake as if Jesus were an unfaithful blasphemer! Yet, out of love for imperfect humans, Jehovah was willing to permit this painful event to take place in order to uphold his own perfect standard of justice. (Read Romans 5:18-21.) A world full of injustice gave Jehovah the opportunity of demonstrating himself to be the pinnacle of justice.

14, 15. What are some of the ways that Jehovah’s superlative wisdom and patience have been manifested?

¹⁴ Wisdom. Immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, Jehovah revealed the way that he would undo all the bad effects caused by their rebellion. (Gen. 3:15) Such immediate action, as well as his progressively revealing details of this purpose to his servants, brought Jehovah’s wisdom into sharp focus. (Rom. 11:33) Nothing can impede God’s ability to handle matters successfully. In a world marked by immorality, war, unreasonableness, disobedience, mercilessness, partiality, and hypocrisy, Jehovah has had ample opportunity to demonstrate to his creatures what real wisdom is. The disciple James said: “The wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical.”​—Jas. 3:17.

¹⁵ Patience and Long-Suffering. Jehovah’s qualities of patience and long-suffering would scarcely have come so prominently to the fore had it not become necessary for him to deal with human imperfections, sins, and shortcomings. Jehovah’s willingness to do so for thousands of years demonstrates that he possesses these marvelous qualities to a perfect degree, and for that we should be most grateful. The apostle Peter rightly stated that we should “consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.”​—2 Pet. 3:9, 15.

16. Why is Jehovah’s willingness to forgive a cause for great joy?

¹⁶ Willingness to Forgive. We are all sinners, and we all stumble many times. (Jas. 3:2; 1 John 1:8, 9) How grateful we should be that Jehovah is willing to forgive “in a large way”! (Isa. 55:7) Consider also this fact: Having been born as imperfect sinners, we are in a position to experience the profound joy we feel when God forgives us our errors. (Ps. 51:5, 9, 17) Personally experiencing that heartwarming characteristic of Jehovah strengthens our love for him and encourages us to follow his example in our dealings with others.​—Read Colossians 3:13.

Why the World Is Sick

17, 18. In what ways has Satan’s way of ruling failed?

¹⁷ Satan’s entire world system​—a product of his way of governing—​has repeatedly and consistently failed over the centuries. In 1991, the newspaper The European noted: “Is the world sick? Yes, indeed, but . . . not by [an] act of God​—the world’s illness was inflicted by its peoples.” How true! Influenced by Satan, our first parents chose human rule over rule by Jehovah. They thereby set in motion a way of governing that was bound to fail. The pain and misery experienced by people worldwide are signs that human rule is afflicted by a dreadful illness.

¹⁸ Satan’s way of governing appeals to selfishness. However, selfishness can never conquer love, which is the basis of Jehovah’s way of governing. Satan’s way of governing has failed to deliver stability, happiness, or security. Jehovah’s way of ruling stands vindicated! Do we have modern-day evidence of that? Yes, as we will see in the next article.

Jehovah’s Way of Ruling Vindicated!

“The Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind.”​—DAN. 4:17.

1, 2. What are some reasons why human rule has failed?

HUMAN rule has failed! Of that there is no doubt. A major reason for that failure is that humans lack the wisdom to rule successfully. The failure of man’s rule is especially evident today when so many rulers have shown themselves to be ‘lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, disloyal, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, and puffed up with pride.’​—2 Tim. 3:2-4.

² Long ago, our first parents rejected God’s way of ruling. In doing so, they may have thought that they were choosing independence. In reality, though, they were submitting to Satan’s way of ruling. Six millenniums of human mismanagement​—powerfully influenced by “the ruler of this world,” Satan—​have brought us to the current low point in human history. (John 12:31) Commenting on the state of mankind today, The Oxford History of the Twentieth Century states that it is useless “looking for a perfect world.” It explains: “Not only can it not be found, but the attempt to create it leads to disaster, totalitarianism, and war at its worst.” What a frank admission that human rule is a failure!

3. What can we say about the way God would have ruled if Adam and Eve had not sinned?

³ How tragic, then, that our first parents rejected the only kind of rule that does work​—rule by God! Of course, we do not know precisely how Jehovah would have structured his way of governing the earth if Adam and Eve had remained faithful to him. However, we can be certain that divine rulership accepted by all mankind would have been marked by love and impartiality. (Acts 10:34; 1 John 4:8) In view of God’s matchless wisdom, we can also be sure that if mankind had remained under Jehovah’s rule, all the mistakes made by proponents of human rule would have been avoided. God-rule, theocracy, would have been successful in “satisfying the desire of every living thing.” (Ps. 145:16) In short, it would have been a perfect rulership. (Deut. 32:4) How tragic that humans rejected it!

4. To what extent has Satan been permitted to govern?

⁴ Still, it is good to remember that even though Jehovah permitted humans to exercise self-rule, he at no time relinquished his right to rule over his creatures. Even the powerful king of Babylon was forced to realize that ultimately “the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind.” (Dan. 4:17) In the long run, God’s Kingdom will cause his will to be done. (Matt. 6:10) True, in the short term, Jehovah has allowed Satan to act as “the god of this system of things” in order to provide a convincing answer to the issues that were raised by that opposer. (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 John 5:19) Nevertheless, Satan has never been able to go beyond what Jehovah permits. (2 Chron. 20:6; compare Job 1:11, 12; 2:3-6.) And there have always been some individuals who chose to subject themselves to God, even though they were living in a world ruled by God’s great Adversary.

God’s Rulership Over Israel

5. What commitment did Israel make to God?

⁵ From the time of Abel up to the time of the patriarchs, a number of faithful individuals worshipped Jehovah and obeyed his commands. (Heb. 11:4-22) In Moses’ day, Jehovah entered into a covenant with the offspring of the patriarch Jacob, and these became the nation of Israel. In 1513 B.C.E., the Israelites committed themselves and their descendants to accept Jehovah as Ruler, saying: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do.”​—Ex. 19:8.

6, 7. How was God’s rule of Israel characterized?

⁶ Jehovah had a purpose in choosing the Israelites to be his people. (Read Deuteronomy 7:7, 8.) This choice involved more than just the welfare of the Israelites. God’s name and sovereignty were also involved, and they were of greater significance. Israel was to serve as a witness to the fact that Jehovah is the only true God. (Isa. 43:10; 44:6-8) Hence, Jehovah said to that nation: “You are a holy people to Jehovah your God, and Jehovah has chosen you to become his people, a special property, out of all the peoples who are on the surface of the ground.”​—Deut. 14:2.

⁷ God’s way of governing the Israelites took into account that they were imperfect. At the same time, his laws were perfect and reflected the qualities of their Giver. Jehovah’s commandments given through Moses clearly highlighted God’s holiness, his love of justice, his willingness to forgive, and his patience. Later, in the day of Joshua and his generation, the nation obeyed Jehovah’s commandments and enjoyed peace and spiritual blessings. (Josh. 24:21, 22, 31) That period of Israel’s history demonstrated the success of Jehovah’s way of ruling.

Human Rulership Comes at a Price

8, 9. What unwise request did Israel make, and with what results?

⁸ Over time, though, the Israelites frequently turned away from God’s rule and suffered the loss of his protection. Eventually, through the prophet Samuel, Israel demanded a visible, human king. Jehovah told Samuel to grant their request. However, Jehovah added: “It is not you whom they have rejected, but it is I whom they have rejected from being king over them.” (1 Sam. 8:7) Although Jehovah permitted Israel to have a visible king, he warned them that rule by a human king would come at a price.​—Read 1 Samuel 8:9-18.

⁹ History demonstrated the truth of Jehovah’s warning. Being ruled by a human king led to serious problems for Israel, especially when that king proved unfaithful. With that example of Israel in mind, it is not surprising that throughout the ages, government in the hands of humans who do not know Jehovah has failed to bring permanent good results. True, some politicians invoke God’s blessing on their efforts to achieve peace and security, but how can God bless those who do not submit to his way of ruling?​—Ps. 2:10-12.

A New Nation Under God’s Rule

10. Why was Israel replaced as God’s chosen nation?

¹⁰ The nation of Israel proved unwilling to serve Jehovah faithfully. Eventually, they rejected God’s appointed Messiah, and Jehovah rejected them and purposed to replace them with a group of people who formed a new nation. As a consequence, the year 33 C.E. saw the birth of the Christian congregation of anointed worshippers of Jehovah. That congregation was, in effect, a new nation under Jehovah’s governing authority. Paul spoke of it as “the Israel of God.”​—Gal. 6:16.

11, 12. What similarities as to oversight are there between Israel and “the Israel of God”?

¹¹ Between the original nation of Israel and the new “Israel of God” there are both differences and similarities. Unlike ancient Israel, the Christian congregation has no human king and it has no need for offering animal sacrifices in behalf of sinners. One similarity between the nation of Israel and the Christian congregation is the arrangement of older men, or elders. (Ex. 19:3-8) Such Christian elders do not rule over the flock. Rather, they shepherd the congregation and unstintingly take the lead in Christian activities. They deal lovingly with each individual in the congregation, according honor and dignity to all.​—2 Cor. 1:24; 1 Pet. 5:2, 3.

¹² By meditating on God’s dealings with Israel, members of “the Israel of God” and their “other sheep” companions develop greater appreciation for Jehovah and his way of governing. (John 10:16) For example, history shows that the human rulers of Israel greatly influenced their subjects, either for good or for bad. That fact impresses upon those taking the lead among Christians that, although they are not rulers like those ancient kings, they must always set a good example of faith.​—Heb. 13:7.

How Jehovah Rules Today

13. What important milestone was reached in 1914?

¹³ Christians today proclaim to the world that human rule over mankind is nearing its end. In 1914, Jehovah established his Kingdom in the heavens under his appointed King, Jesus Christ. At that time, he granted Jesus authority to go forth “conquering and to complete his conquest.” (Rev. 6:2) The newly enthroned King was told: “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.” (Ps. 110:2) Sadly, the nations have consistently refused to submit to Jehovah’s rule. They have continued to act as if “there is no Jehovah.”​—Ps. 14:1.

14, 15. (a) How are we ruled by God’s Kingdom today, and in view of this, what questions should we ask ourselves? (b) How is the superiority of God’s rule seen even today?

¹⁴ A few anointed members of “the Israel of God” still remain, and as Jesus’ brothers, they continue to act as “ambassadors substituting for Christ.” (2 Cor. 5:20) They have been appointed as a faithful and discreet slave class to care for and provide spiritual food for anointed ones and a growing crowd of Christians, who now include millions having the hope of living on earth forever. (Matt. 24:45-47; Rev. 7:9-15) Jehovah’s blessing on that arrangement is evident in the spiritual prosperity enjoyed by true worshippers today.

¹⁵ Each of us would do well to ask himself: ‘Do I fully recognize the responsibilities that I should shoulder within the Christian congregation? Am I properly supporting Jehovah’s way of governing? Am I proud to be a subject of Jehovah’s ruling Kingdom? Am I determined to continue telling others about God’s Kingdom to the extent that I reasonably can?’ As a group, we willingly submit ourselves to the direction given by the Governing Body and cooperate with the appointed elders in the congregations. In such ways, we demonstrate our acceptance of God’s way of ruling. (Read Hebrews 13:17.) Willing submission results in a worldwide unity that is unique in this divided world. It also produces peace and righteousness and brings glory to Jehovah, demonstrating that his way of ruling is by far the best.

Jehovah’s Rule Triumphant

16. What decision faces everyone today?

¹⁶ The time is fast approaching when the issues raised in Eden will be resolved. Hence, now is the time for people to make a decision. Each individual must decide whether he will accept Jehovah’s way of governing or he will cling to human rule. It is our privilege to help meek ones to make the right decision. Soon, at Armageddon, Jehovah’s way of governing will permanently replace human-based governments under Satan’s influence. (Dan. 2:44; Rev. 16:16) Human rule will end, and God’s Kingdom will hold sway over the entire earth. In the fullest sense of the word, Jehovah’s way of governing will stand vindicated.​—Read Revelation 21:3-5.

17. What facts help meek individuals to make a good decision regarding rulership?

¹⁷ Those who have not as yet made a definite decision in favor of Jehovah should prayerfully consider the benefits that God’s way of ruling will bring to mankind. Human rule has been unable to solve the problem of crime, including terrorism. God’s rule will remove all the wicked from the earthly scene. (Ps. 37:1, 2, 9) Man’s rule has led to incessant warfare, but God’s rule will make “wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.” (Ps. 46:9) Why, God’s rule will even restore peace between humans and animals! (Isa. 11:6-9) Poverty and hunger have been constant features under human rule, but God’s rule will eliminate them. (Isa. 65:21) Even human rulers having the best of intentions have been unable to remove sickness and death, but under God’s rule, the old and the sick will delight in a return to youthful vigor. (Job 33:25; Isa. 35:5, 6) Indeed, the earth will become a paradise in which there will even be a resurrection of the dead.​—Luke 23:43; Acts 24:15.

18. How can we demonstrate that we believe that God’s way of ruling is best?

¹⁸ Yes, God’s rule will undo all the harm that Satan caused when he influenced our first parents to turn away from their Creator. And consider, Satan has been causing harm for some 6,000 years, but God, through Christ, will undo all that harm within 1,000 years! What a crowning proof of the superiority of God’s way of governing! As Witnesses for our God, we accept him as our Ruler. Hence, let us demonstrate each day, indeed each hour, of our lives that we are worshippers of Jehovah, subjects of his Kingdom, and proud to be his Witnesses. And let us use every opportunity to tell whoever will listen that Jehovah’s way of ruling is the very best.