If God exists​—and he most certainly does—​then surely the major issue today must involve him. Why did he create mankind? What is our responsibility toward him? How will he react to the way man is ruining the earth? And how will he respond to the challenge implied by the refusal of so many to believe in him or submit to his will? In fact, the great issue facing each one of us is whether we accept or reject the sovereignty of God, “whose name alone is JEHOVAH.”​—Psalm 83:18, King James Version.

The Origin of the Universe

Of course, to those who do not believe in God, our responsibility toward him is a nonissue. But anyone who looks honestly at the design and the beauty of our earthly home is compelled to admit that there must be a great Designer. It is true that in trying to explain the natural wonders around us, most scientists leave God out of the picture. Many say, for example, that the universe grew to its present size from a tiny point much smaller than the head of a pin, that it all happened “naturally,” by chance, without the need of a Creator. However, after explaining a popular new theory on how the universe got started, physicist Hanbury Brown, in his book The Wisdom of Science, admits: “To most people, I guess, that would seem to be more like a conjuring trick than an explanation.” Professor Brown concludes that “the origin and purpose of the world” are “great mysteries” that science seems unable to solve.

Scientists have demonstrated that matter and energy are closely related and that matter can be converted into energy and energy into matter. As seen in nuclear explosions, a small amount of matter represents a huge amount of energy. Where, then, is the source of all the energy represented by the 100,000 million stars in our galaxy, as well as the more than 1,000 million galaxies that make up the visible universe?

The Bible says: “Raise your eyes high up and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who is bringing forth the army of them even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one of them is missing.” Who is that One? The Bible records the answer: “I am Jehovah. That is my name; and to no one else shall I give my own glory.”​—Isaiah 40:26; 42:5, 8.

Speculation that the earth along with the rest of the universe originated by chance takes away the glory that is due the Creator, Jehovah God. (Revelation 4:11) It also removes a strong motive to act responsibly toward the earth. If humans were aware that they are answerable to God for what they do to his creation, possibly they would be more careful in such matters as pollution, destruction of the ozone layer, and global warming.

The Origin of Life

Consider also the question: How did life get started? People have been taught that life came about without any intervention by God. But this contradicts a well-established scientific principle. At one time it was believed that beetles came from cow dung, worms from rotten flesh, and mice from mud. Even during the last century, scientists taught that microorganisms come from lifeless matter. But ideas like these were disproved by Redi, Pasteur, and other scientists. The World Book Encyclopedia (1990 edition) states: “After Pasteur’s experiments, most biologists accepted the idea that all life comes from existing life.”

Nevertheless, scientists theorize that things were different in the distant past. They say that the first one-celled organisms arose by chance from a lifeless mixture that they call a primeval soup, which contained the chemicals needed for life. “Chance, and chance alone, did it all, from the primeval soup to man,” declares Christian de Duve in A Guided Tour of the Living Cell.

Speaking of God, the Bible says: “With you is the source of life.” (Psalm 36:9) This statement is truly in harmony with what has been observed​—that life can only come from preexisting life. Since, however, mainstream science prefers to view one of God’s most precious gifts, life, as something that just happened, many people feel no responsibility toward God for how they use their lives. Thus, they break God’s laws, oppressing one another, stealing from one another, murdering one another, and spending considerable money, time, and ingenuity in designing murderous weapons that kill and devastate with terrifying efficiency.

Settling the Issue

Besides atheists and modernists, countless others deny God’s sovereignty. A vast number today claim to believe in God, and more than 1,700 million call themselves Christians. For centuries the churches of Christendom have publicly praised God in their services. But where do most of those 1,700 million people really stand on the matter of God’s sovereignty?

Both individuals and nations have demonstrated their disregard for it by going against God’s specific commands. Nations claiming to be Christian have perpetrated godless acts of violence, including the two worst wars of human history​—and “Christian” clergymen on both sides blessed those wars! By such hypocrisy, they have greatly misrepresented God. As the Bible states: “They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works.”​—Titus 1:16.

Nevertheless, God “cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13) The time must come when he will resolve all aspects of this issue of sovereignty in harmony with his own stated purpose: “They will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (Ezekiel 38:23) But why has he taken so long? How will the issue finally be resolved? And how can you make right decisions in this most important matter?

Why So Long to Settle the Issue?

SOME 6,000 years ago, God’s sovereignty was not at issue. On completion of his wonderful works of creation, “God saw everything he had made and, look! it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) He then entered a long period of “rest”; not, of course, that he was physically tired. Rather, he rested in that he ceased his creative works on earth, confident that his good purpose respecting these would be a complete success.​—Genesis 2:1-3; Isaiah 55:11.

What was that purpose? Jehovah placed the first human couple in a place called the garden of Eden. Their initial responsibility was to care for their paradisaic home, including its great variety of animal life. Also, they were to bring forth and raise children. In time, as their family grew, they were to extend Paradise to the ends of the earth in obedience to God’s command to ‘subdue the earth.’ Thus, the earth would eventually be a magnificent home, filled with a happy, united family serving their heavenly Father. That was God’s original purpose.​—Genesis 1:27, 28; 2:8, 15, 20-22.

Would Adam and Eve share in fulfilling this grand purpose to its end? That depended on their continuing to cooperate with it by obeying their Creator. Their obedience was not to be blind, unthinking. They were granted free will, for God wanted them to serve him out of an appreciative heart. As a visible reminder of his rightful sovereignty, he provided a simple test. They could partake of any provision in the garden except one. There was a fruit tree concerning which God said: “In the day you eat from it you will positively die.”​—Genesis 2:16, 17.

These words tell us that Adam and Eve were not created to grow old and die. Death would come only if they disobeyed this simple command. If Adam and Eve had remained obedient to God, they would still be alive on earth today as parents of a worldwide family of perfect offspring.​—See the principle stated at Psalm 37:29.

However, one of God’s angelic creatures, now called Satan, became critical of God’s way of ruling. He urged Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit, deceptively suggesting that by being independent of God’s sovereignty, she would be better off. Satan’s real motive, though, was a desire to be the god of the prospective family of mankind.​—Genesis 3:1-5; Matthew 4:8, 9; John 8:44.

Since Jehovah had given the first human couple everything they needed, Eve should have upheld his sovereignty and rejected Satan’s lying suggestion. Tragically, though, she went ahead and broke God’s law. Afterward, Adam chose to join his wife in her unwise course. Thus the self-willed couple, as well as Satan, rebelled against God, and the issue of divine sovereignty was raised.​—Genesis 3:6.

Time Needed to Settle Vital Issues

Jehovah could have destroyed the three rebels then and there. But that would not have conclusively settled the questions raised by their rebellion. Could man rule himself successfully apart from God? Was it justice on God’s part to demand submission to his sovereignty? Moreover, in view of the conduct of the first couple, would any humans unselfishly choose to serve God of their own free will​—even when tested by Satan? (Job 1:7-11; 2:4) It would take time to answer these questions. It would take time, also, to overcome the effects of that original rebellion and fulfill God’s purpose to make the earth a paradise populated by a sinless human race. We are still awaiting the final resolution of these issues.

In harmony with his law, God withdrew from Adam and Eve the privilege of living forever. They were no longer worthy to share in the fulfillment of his great purpose. However, before they died, they were allowed to produce and raise offspring. True, Adam and Eve could no longer pass on to their offspring vibrant, sinless life. (Romans 5:12) But even though the generations that followed were born imperfect and doomed to die, many individuals had the opportunity to show where they stood with regard to the great issue of sovereignty.

Resolving the Issue

How will God resolve these matters relating to his sovereignty? In one sense the questions raised back in Eden have now been answered. Thousands of years of human history have made it painfully evident that Satan’s allegation that Eve would be better off independent of God was a lie. Human rule that ignores God has been a continuing failure. As the Bible says: “Man has dominated man to his injury.”​—Ecclesiastes 8:9.

On the other hand, many good things have been documented during the long years since Adam and Eve sinned. Many of humankind have demonstrated an unbreakable attachment to Jehovah’s sovereignty, the most outstanding example being “the Son of man,” Jesus Christ himself. (Matthew 20:18; Hebrews 11:1–12:3) Those who have followed God’s laws and acknowledged his sovereignty have found that this really is the best way. They have experienced the truth of the proverb: “The blessing of Jehovah​—that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it.” (Proverbs 10:22) Moreover, thanks to the resurrection provision, they will eventually get to share in the fulfillment of God’s grand purpose.​—John 5:28, 29.

Jehovah has not forgotten his original purpose. Those who reject his sovereignty will not be allowed to dominate on earth for all time, and the Bible warns that soon God will act against them. We read: “God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness.” (Romans 1:18) This coming expression of God’s anger, which the Bible calls Armageddon, will unquestionably demonstrate that he does indeed exist. Only those who accept his sovereignty will survive that event. “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth.”​—Proverbs 2:21, 22.

The Great Issue and You

In view of these facts, each of us​—like Adam and Eve—​must make a choice. Will we try to live independently of God? Or will we submit to his sovereignty? Remember, this is the most vital issue facing you today. Other issues, important as they may seem, have to do with your present life. This one has to do with everlasting life. The decision you make will affect your eternal future.

How can you show that you accept God’s sovereignty? By diligently studying his Word, the Bible, and seeking to obey his will in association with other true Christians. (Zephaniah 2:2, 3) If you do so, you will have the happy hope of seeing the fulfillment of God’s grand purpose. You will get to see the realization of this marvelous promise: “Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more . . . But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37:10, 11) What a wonderful outcome for all who submit to God’s sovereignty! What a powerful reason for deciding wisely in this most important matter!