God’s Plan for Mankind

Today, there is much suffering in the world, but this is not new. Man has suffered ever since Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. But now, in addition to the usual afflictions associated with the reign of sin and death, the world is passing through a period described prophetically in the Scriptures as a “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” (Dan. 12:1) This distress is worldwide, and because of it, people wonder whether there is a God in heaven? If so, why does he not seem to be doing something about the suffering of his human creation. The answer to this question points out the difference between God’s plan for mankind and fallen man’s endeavors to alleviate suffering.

The Bible reveals that ever since man transgressed the divine law in the Garden of Eden, God has been working to extricate His human creation from death—the result of man’s transgression. God is not looking for man to tell Him what to do about human suffering. God has his own plan, formed before the foundation of the world, which from century to century has continued moving forward toward completion.

This plan will bring to an end all human suffering including destruction of “the last enemy … death.” (1 Cor. 15:26) The fulfillment of this plan applies to Adam and Eve, and to every human being who has lived since their time. God loves His human creation who lived before the Flood (Gen. 7,8) just as much as He loves the people of today and, indeed, every intervening generation. When Jesus said, “God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” he was describing God’s love for the entire human family.—John 3:16

The apostle Peter, added that this salvation would come via “times of restitution [Greek: restoration] of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-21) Christ’s earthly kingdom will bring this restoration. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”—Matt. 6:11

For additional information please see our related booklets and videos below.


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