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Unravel the complex question of God’s responsibility for world distress. This article explores the biblical perspective, focusing on free will, sin, Satan, and divine intervention. It highlights God’s redemptive work through Jesus Christ as the ultimate solution to world distress.

The Sovereignty of God

As Christians, we affirm the sovereignty and omnipotence of God. He is the Creator of all things, the Sustainer of life, and the ultimate Ruler of the universe. Yet, this does not mean that God is directly responsible for every occurrence on earth.

The Free Will of Creatures

God created angels and humans with free will. This means they have the ability to make choices, even choices that go against God’s will and result in sin and suffering. The Bible recounts how angels “forsook their proper dwelling” (Jude 6, UASV) and had relations with human women, producing the Nephilim who caused great violence on the earth (Genesis 6:1-4).

The Consequences of Sin

The Bible attributes the distress and suffering in the world primarily to sin and its consequences. Romans 5:12 states, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (UASV). When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, sin entered the world, bringing with it death, suffering, and all kinds of distress.

The Role of Satan

The Bible also identifies Satan as a significant cause of distress in the world. Revelation 12:12 warns, “Woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows he has a short time.” (UASV). Satan, as the deceiver and accuser, incites rebellion against God, promotes falsehood, and inflicts harm on people.

God’s Intervention in History

There are instances in the Bible where God intervenes directly in human affairs to accomplish His purposes. For example, He used Babylon to judge the sin of Jerusalem, and then He used Cyrus to overthrow Babylon (Jeremiah 25:8-11; Isaiah 45:1-4). However, these interventions are the exception, not the norm, and they always serve God’s righteous and redemptive purposes.

God’s Ultimate Solution to World Distress

The Bible reveals that God has an ultimate solution to world distress. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and to defeat death through His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). God promises a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells and there is no more suffering or death (Revelation 21:1-4).

In conclusion, while God is sovereign and has the power to intervene in human affairs, He is not directly responsible for world distress. The distress we see in the world is primarily the result of sin, the abuse of free will, and the activity of Satan. However, God, in His wisdom and love, has provided a solution to the problem of sin and suffering through the work of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises when He will wipe away every tear and make all things new.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).