Why is there so much suffering in the world, and how long will this take? Is there any hope that we’ll be happy forever with no worries?

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The reason for the suffering in the world is because of sin. Background: And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 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. Genesis 2: 16-17 Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon probation; their happy estate could be retained only on condition of fidelity to the Creator’s law. They could obey and live, or disobey and perish. God had made them the recipients of rich blessings; but should they disregard His will, He who spared not the angels that sinned, could not spare them; transgression would forfeit His gifts and bring upon them misery and ruin. (Patriarchs and Prophets pg.53) How art though fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Isaiah 14: 12 Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honoured of God ad who stood highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven. Before his fall, Lucifer was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled….Lucifer might have remained in favour with God, beloved and honoured by all the angelic host, exercising his noble powers to bless others and to glorify his Maker….instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of His creatures, it was Lucifer’s endeavour to win their service and homage to himself. And coveting the honour which the infinite Father had bestowed upon His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power which it was the prerogative of Christ alone to wield. (Great Controversy pg.493, 494) Reality: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16: 33 Because Satan tempted Adam and Eve into sin, they were banned from perfect Eden into a life of hardship and toil. (Read Genesis 3) When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we become one of His disciples keeping His commandments because we love Him. He left His disciples and ascended into heaven but as he promised he sent the Holy Spirit to empower them and lead them into all truth. So it is with the Christian today, receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit doing what Christ did and because we are in Christ we separate ourselves from the world, we become peculiar and because we do not what the world does we become hated just as Christ was hated. He therefore consoles us that we will have tribulation but He has overcome the world. He promises that He has gone to prepare place for us so that where He is we can be also. He promises that in His Father’s house are many mansions, so when He returns He can receive us unto Himself. (Read John 14 to 15) So yes of course there is hope beyond the current suffering in the world, Jesus said to His disciples “a little while and ye shall see me”. While we wait we have work to do and being in Christ the Holy Spirit will work through us to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16: 9 to 11); And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24: 14) (Read Matthew 24 and 25). This will give you an idea of how long the suffering will last. There is coming a time when we will have no worries and be happy forever; 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. (Revelation 21: 4) (Read Revelation 21). Jesus gave His disciples the great commission in Matthew 28: 16 to 20 and promised that He will be with them always, even unto the end of the world; so be encouraged that He will never leave you nor forsake you even in the suffering of this world.