A Study in God’s Plan for Mankind: Study 15: God’s Plan and the Permission of Evil

The Gospel Age part 5: “The Permission of Evil”

The period of time in God’s plan for mankind known as the Gospel Age roughly spans the years of time from Jesus’s ministry on earth until the present day. Previous studies involving the key events of the Gospel Age have touched on the importance of a relatively small group of mankind, referred to, in the scriptures, by names such as “the little flock” or “the church”. During Jesus’ ministry, he searched among the Jewish people for those who heard his call to sacrifice all their worldly ambitions and to follow him in dedicating their lives to God. Later, after Jesus’ death, God opened this calling to all of mankind, in addition to the Jewish people. Any call, though, eventually comes to an end, and this call is no different. God has a set, predetermined number of people to fill “the little flock.” Once this number is reached, the Gospel Age will end and the next age in God’s plan for mankind will begin in earnest.

However, God, in His wisdom, has many different reasons for executing His plan in the manner that He does. Although mankind cannot possibly hope to understand all that He designs, allows and executes according to His perfect wisdom, the scriptures do reveal another purpose for the length of time before the next age, which will bring the long promised “restitution of all things”, begins. Although much clarification of this purpose has happened during the Gospel Age, an examination of the scriptures reveal this purpose to span the entire history of mankind. This purpose is perhaps well represented by a question; one that seems simple at first, but is in fact so profound that it has been the subject of reflection and speculation for as long as mankind has existed: why does God permit evil?

In order to examine this question, this study begins, as have several studies on God’s plan, at the very beginning of mankind, as recorded in the book of Genesis. An important detail about the early earth, which God had prepared for mankind, is given at the end of the first chapter of Genesis:

Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

In chapter one of Genesis, the scriptures describe God’s creation of man. Verse 31 describes God as looking upon all that had been created up to that point, including man, and declaring it “very good.” By definition, anything found to be “good”, let alone “very good” to God implies perfection, as God, by His nature, does not deal with imperfection. Some time after man’s creation, God gave the first man, Adam, and through him, all mankind (who at that time consisted only of Adam’s wife, Eve) a command:

Genesis 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

From this encounter, several implications can be made. First, God created mankind in the manner that He did, because He desired a creation that could return His love in a willing and conscious fashion. This implication is based on the choice that God gave to Adam and Eve. He could have facilitated a creation that had no choice but to obey His commands. However, the scriptures indicate that God gave Adam and Eve a clear choice, which was to obey His commands and not eat of a certain tree. Genesis 2:17 refers to this tree as “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. Although the scriptures do not specifically say that the tree, in itself, possessed any special attributes, they are clear that God forbade eating the tree’s fruit. Disobeying any of God’s commands is, by definition, evil. The scriptures record that Adam and Eve did, in fact, disobey God’s command, and ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, thereby committing mankind’s first evil act:

Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

By disobeying God’s command, and eating the fruit of this forbidden tree, Adam and Eve came to understand the difference between good and evil. They came to understand the consequences of evil as well. From this perspective, this tree certainly could be labeled as a “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. The very fact that Adam and Eve were given a choice implies that God had a purpose in creating them in such a manner; different than his other creations, which make decisions at a different level than man.

A second important aspect to this encounter is the difference between God permitting the event to happen as opposed to God causing the event to happen. This difference may at first seem like simply a question of semantics, but in truth, the difference is of vital importance in understanding God’s character and His plan. Before continuing in examining this distinction, it is important to note the the scriptures leave absolutely no doubt as to who was responsible for facilitating this first act of evil by mankind:

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

This fact is reinforced later by Eve, in response to God’s questioning as to why this act of disobedience was committed:

Genesis 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Most Christians understand the serpent in this chapter to be a representation of the adversary, or Satan. This thought, as outlined here in the first book of the Bible, is reinforced in the very last book of the Bible, Revelation:

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

This scripture from Revelation does more than point out the identity of the serpent. It also points out that just as “that old serpent” deceived Adam and Eve with that first lie of “ye shall not surely die”, he also “deceiveth the whole world”. The implication is clear. The source of all deceit and therefore evil is not God at all, but Satan.

However, even though Satan may think himself successful in causing mankind’s fall from perfection and facilitating the entry of evil into the world, through to the very present day, Satan is still powerless in regards to the execution of God’s plan. Although God did not cause evil to enter into the world, God is allowing mankind to experience evil and its ultimate consequences of misery and death. This knowledge is important for those who strive to become members of “the little flock”, because such need to understand, now, during the Gospel Age, the difference between good and evil, and more so, to have this understanding so imprinted upon their minds and hearts that they will not only recognize evil in themselves, but devote their lives, in service to God, in overcoming, through His grace and assistance, their fallen natures.

The Apostle Paul well understood this struggle experienced by those who have consecrated their lives to God. In his letter to the Romans, he exclaims his own struggle in maintaining his commitment to God in these very heartfelt and eloquent words:

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

In these verses, Paul, who was very vocal about his dedication to God and in his pursuit of membership in “the little flock” expressed the continual work, and sometimes even frustration, involved in choosing evil over good. Paul intellectually understood the difference, yet proclaimed that he still fell short of perfectly fulfilling even his best intentions. This struggle is still experienced by those pursuing membership in “the church” to this present day.

From this perspective, evil will exist, and serves a purpose, throughout the Gospel Age. The Gospel Age, in turn, will last as long as “the little flock” or “the church” is still incomplete. From this aspect, evil is necessary to prove out the faithfulness of those who wish to comprise “the church”. However, from another aspect, evil will continue during the Gospel Age for another reason as well. To consider this reason, this study again turns to the beginning of mankind as outlined in the book of Genesis. In the Garden of Eden, God delivered a command to Adam and Eve, and through them, to all mankind:

Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Any commandment given by God must, by definition, be fulfilled. In the command outlined in Genesis 1:28, God made clear His desire for mankind to increase in size such that they would “subdue” the earth. This implies that mankind would reach a size that met God’s commandment, and until then, would continue to grow in size. Thus, there is an aspect to God’s plan with respect to the permission of evil that implies that while mankind continues to grow and new people are born, these new people must also be given an opportunity to understand the concepts of good and evil. As covered previously, although God did not cause evil to enter the world, the experience of mankind with evil and its consequences serves God’s purpose of having an intelligent creation, who, in the fullness of time, will consciously choose to do good over evil, and in so doing, glorify their Creator. At that future point, all of mankind will have had sufficient experience with the differences between good and evil, as determined by God. Evil no longer will serve any purpose, and thus will be eliminated. This future point in God’s plan will be examined in much more detail as this series of studies transitions into examining the age following the present Gospel Age. For now, consider the following scripture, taken from the Old Testament:

Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

The “holy mountain” referred to in this verse may be understood to be that future time when evil is eliminated; the time of the “restitution of all things”; also sometimes referred to as “the kingdom of God”. This beautiful prophecy not only promises a time when none shall “hurt nor destroy” (a reference to the elimination of evil), but that the knowledge of the Lord – goodness and truth and love – will cover the entire earth; thereby reaching all mankind.

Even with this intellectual understanding of why evil has been permitted down through the ages, and why it continues to be permitted, there are still times when those suffering may cry out to God. Even knowing that the source of evil is the adversary, and not our benevolent Creator, there are times when emotions may overrule intellect and reason. Truly terrible and heartbreaking situations have been experienced by mankind since Adam and Eve’s original disobedience, and today’s experiences are no different. It can prove extremely difficult to remember or harmonize the truth of the permission of evil and its importance in God’s plan during exceptionally trying times . On the one hand, the scriptures teach that God is all-knowing and all-powerful. The scriptures also teach that God loves all of mankind, to a level that is beyond comprehension, and that He especially loves and treasures those who are seeking to know Him and follow His ways, even during this present evil world:

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

During times of intense stress or exceptionally difficult times, when the very foundation of one’s world seems to be rocked by perhaps unthinkable circumstances, the thought may even occur that God is somehow specially punishing us, or even more tragically, that God has forgotten or abandoned us. The best defense in these times is to draw even closer to God than before. Increase the frequency or fervency of prayer. Discuss the experience with and lean on those of like precious faith who also have an understanding of God’s character and plan, and who may have weathered similar or even worse situations. Cling fast to the sure word of the scriptures which provide the best and most accurate view of God’s character that mankind has been provided with. Remember that for those who have truly dedicated their lives to God, He will not allow anything to happen to them past that which they can bear:

I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Remember that God, in His all-knowing wisdom, knows exactly how much each one can bear, and will not allow any situation or temptation to exceed that. Consider God’s confidence in you even when you feel your confidence in yourself to be rapidly waning.

Hold onto the words of Jesus, our Lord and God’s own Son, who considers those who have consecrated their lives to the service of God as his friends, that God will not leave you, not ever, not for a single second, and that faithfulness will be eventually rewarded beyond our current ability to comprehend:

Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

As much as it is within your power, remember that even the most trying circumstance, the most heart-rending loss is an opportunity to show your faithfulness to God; to demonstrate your trust in Him. Tell Him that you understand He didn’t cause the situation, and ask for His help through it:

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Even when heartbreak and tragedy and deception and evil do not befall us, but touch us as we see all of the injustices and pain in the world today, keep constantly in mind that once the “little flock” has all been gathered, the work of the present age will be complete. The next phase of God’s plan, the “restitution of all things” can begin in earnest. At that point, when the “kingdom of God” begins in earnest, all will have an opportunity to live in peace and health and life. Evil and all of its terrible effects will be a thing of the past forevermore:

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

By Adam and Eve’s disobedience so many thousands of years ago, the first evil act was committed. The consequences of that evil act are still felt to the present day. Mankind experiences all manner of tragedy, and ultimately, no matter who they are, all eventually die. This may seem like a harsh view of the world, but it is the common experience of all mankind. Evil, and its consequences were not caused by God. The scriptures clearly depict Satan, the adversary, as the originator of the deceit that led to evil. However, even this serves God’s plan, and in that sense is permitted by God. Mankind in general is learning the difference between good and evil that, during the next age, will serve as a most emphatic lesson when all are given the informed choice between the two paths. In addition to the general education of mankind, evil during the Gospel Age serves as a mechanism by which those who have chosen to consecrate their lives to God, “the little flock”, prove their faithfulness to their commitments and to God.

The “little flock” is, by its very name, little. When considering that it was almost two thousand years ago when Jesus searched among the people of Israel for those who had enough faith to answer his calling, and considering that it has also been almost two thousand years since that calling was opened to include all of mankind, it can be assumed that a great number of people have most assuredly heard that calling. While that number of people may be “little” in relation to the number of people who have lived during the past two thousand or so years, the scriptures also speak of those in the “little flock” being required to consecrate their minds, hearts and very lives to God. Further, once that act of consecration has been made, those vows and those commitments need to be maintained throughout the individual’s entire life, until death:

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

While this commitment doesn’t necessarily mean shutting oneself away from the world, it does mean that one is expected to place God first in one’s life from the time of their commitment until their deaths. Out of the number of people who have thought to have “heard” this calling, then, a smaller percentage, surely, have been likely been able to follow through on the requirement of remaining “faithful unto death” as judged by God. What of those who may start off with good intentions, but for whatever reason, fail to maintain this faithfulness? Not those who explicitly turn away from their commitments and God, but who, for whatever reason, do not exhibit sufficient zeal and heart to follow, to the best of their abilities, Jesus’ example?

In our next study, as the examination of the present Gospel Age nears its end, this group of people will be considered, as well as how the scriptures distinguish them from those in the “little flock”, and what part in God’s plan awaits them. Following that, a long-awaited update to the chart outlining God’s plan for mankind will be presented, which will include the various elements of the plan added for the Gospel Age.

Psalms 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

A Study in God’s Plan for Mankind: Study 15: God’s Plan and the Permission of Evil

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