Why Does God Allow This Evil World Go On?
Perhaps
you’ve heard someone ask the question: "If God is a good God, why does
He allow so much evil to go on in our world?" This is a good question
for all of us to consider, but the answer comes much closer to our own lives
than we might think. What happens when God puts an end to evil? Old Testament
Israel and Judah were conquered by enemy nations because of their evil, and those who survived the sieges and battles were
carried away into exile. God rained down fire and brimstone upon the cities of
In fact, the
Bible tells us that God is going to put an end to evil in this world very soon!
St. Peter writes, in his second epistle: "But the heavens and the
earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire
against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (2 Peter
3:7). Paul also wrote to the Thessalonian Christians
that "the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of
His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired
in all them that believe...." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; cf. Revelation
Why hasn’t God already come in judgment and put an end to evil in the world? Peter writes again: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (2 Peter 3:9-10). So, the Day of the Lord is coming! God will put an end to evil in this world! But why the delay? He is being patient with us, not wanting any of us to be condemned and perish along with the wicked on that day, but desiring that we repent of our evil ways and trust in the Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation! God is allowing this evil world to go on a little longer to allow us time to repent and be saved! God sent His Son into this world, a true man, that He might live a righteous and holy life for us and then suffer and die upon the cross for our sins. Jesus did this for us and rose again, ascending to the right hand of God the Father. He sent His Holy Spirit into this world to convince us of our sins and to bring us to faith in Jesus, our Savior. And, when the last of God’s elect turn to Christ for forgiveness of sins and life, the end will come. This evil world and its works will be burned up, and all who did not repent will suffer forever in the eternal fires of hell! But, having been saved by the grace and mercy of God, "we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13; cf. Revelation 21:1ff.)!
So, why does our good God allow this sin-filled and evil world to go on? He is being good, merciful, and patient toward you and all mankind, allowing a little more time to repent and be saved through faith in His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ!