If God is so Powerful, Why Does Evil Exist?

Remember the Sunday School song that begins: "He's got the whole world in His hands"? Many sing this simple song as young children. They are taught from an early age that God has the whole world in His hands; that He has control over everything that occurs on the earth. It becomes confusing, however, when these children grow up, and finally realize the evil that exists in our world today. It is because of this very issue that many turn away from serving God. They feel He has turned his back on mankind, and in turn, they turn their back on Him. It is difficult for some to understand how a God who is supposed to be the most powerful being in the universe could allow such evil and suffering to continue on the earth He created.

Many have been misled, however. Most people today believe that God really does have the whole world in His hands, when in fact, He does not. The Bible clearly states at 1 John 5:19 that "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." Hmm. How interesting. It is of great concern that churches would teach children a song that preaches God as the ruler of this world, when the Bible itself says that He is not. It makes one wonder what else the churches teach that has no Biblical backing.

The truth is that God is not to blame for the evil we see and experience in our world today. It begins with a rebellion that took place in heaven. Lucifer was created a beautiful angel, but he decided to rebel against Jehovah God. He wanted to choose for himself what was right and wrong. In short, he challenged God's right to rule. So, he rebelled and was cast out of heaven. He is now called Satan, which means "Resister", or Devil, meaning "Slanderer". Satan the Devil has resisted God and His righteous ways, and has slandered Jehovah's name all throughout history, telling lies about Him, and causing mankind to turn away from him.

Satan is also the cause of all the evil we see in the world. Every evil thought, action and desire originates with the Devil. The Bible explains that there would be woe for the earth when Satan was cast out of heaven. Upon his expulsion, Satan was sent down to the earth. Revelation 12: 7-12 explains the account, and tells of the woe that will come to the earth because the Devil has come down, knowing he has little time left. Satan's main purpose is to deter any from coming to know the true God, or to destroy those who already know the true God. Turn on the news. You'll see, the Devil is here.

Though we are surrounded by evil, there is a bright side to the situation. The increased woe we are currently experiencing only means that the Devil's time left is reduced. Many understand that we are now living in the "Last Days". This can be recognized by examining the scriptures at Matthew chapter 24 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

The fact that we are living in the "Last Days" or "Time of the End" means that soon, very soon, Jehovah God will finally take action against his great adversary, the Devil. He will destroy Satan at Armageddon, and undo the effects of all evil and wickedness. Jehovah is mighty, and his mightiness will be seen as it never has before. He will not allow us to be tortured forever, but we must be patient until He decides the time is right. He wants as many as possible to come to know him before the end comes. He desires none to perish. Thus, the reason for his patience, and seeming hesitation to human eyes, in bringing justice to the world scene.

As for the day or the hour, no one knows. The angels do not know; Jesus Christ does not even know. Only Jehovah God knows at which hour enough will be enough, and Satan's end will arrive. Until then, we should search for truth, amid the lies that surround us, so that we can stand firm on God's side at the great battle of Armageddon.