Gods Sabbath

C HAPTER 21

God’s Witnesses

Why is Suffering Permitted? B ecause God is the Source of all things, He has all the power necessary to protect His people from their enemies. So why does this God of love actually allow Satan to bring suffering up on his beloved children? This question is a source of unrest to many. In fact, the workings of God’s government are a mystery which tends to fill them with doubt and perplexity. It could be expressed in the following way: “The mysterious providence which permits the righteous to suffer persecution at the hand of the wicked has been a cause of great perplexity to many who are weak in faith. Some are even ready to cast away their confidence in God because He suffers the basest of men to prosper, while the best and purest are afflicted and tormented by their cruel power. How, it is asked, can One who is just and merciful, and who is also infinite in power, toler ate such injustice and oppression?” The Great Controversy , 47.1. A satisfactory grasp of the answer can be acquired only by a thorough study of the issues lying at the heart of the great contro versy between God and Satan. It is encouraging to know that such investigation will prove to be a significant factor in establishing

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