...does He let children suffer and/or die?
Why Do Children Suffer?
Jeremiah wasn’t the only one in the Bible heartbroken by the suffering of children. David cried out in agony when his infant son died (2 Samuel 12:16–23). An unnamed woman from Zarephath, who had already lost her husband, felt hurt and angry at the loss of her young son and directed her frustration toward the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:18). Job mourned when his adult children died in a sudden disaster (Job 1:18–19). Mary watched her firstborn child, Jesus, die on a cross unjustly (John 19:25–27). In stories like these, the Bible validates the grief of the heartbroken, acknowledges their confusion, and shares their pain.
Beyond sympathizing with the brokenhearted, the Bible explains the origin of suffering. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, sin entered the world and corrupted His perfect design for humanity and creation (Genesis 3:1–7; Romans 5:12). As a result, all people, even children, can experience suffering. Some suffering results from human actions, such as abuse or neglect. Other suffering results from the fallen world's brokenness apart from direct human action, including natural disasters and genetic diseases. In either case, all suffering comes from sin.
A person can’t truly understand what the Bible says about suffering without knowing how God has responded to it. The Bible reveals that suffering is temporary, as God will one day bring it to an end (Revelation 21:4); it is limited because God is more powerful than it (2 Corinthians 4:8-–9); and it is redeemable because God is able to use it for good (Genesis 50:20). Ignoring God’s response to suffering is like a patient learning they have a deadly disease but refusing to listen when the doctor says there is a cure. The cure, in this case, is Jesus.
There is no hope amid suffering apart from Jesus because there is no cure for sin apart from Him. The gospel—the invitation to know Jesus and be saved from sin—is God’s definitive response to suffering (Mark 1:15). It proclaims God’s great love for people, even though all have sinned and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Sin deserves eternal death, but Jesus offers sinners eternal life instead (Romans 6:23).
One example of Jesus' response to suffering is found in the account of a desperate father who brought his son, who had suffered for many years. The boy was unable to speak, suffered violent seizures, and was tormented by an evil spirit that almost killed him. Fearing he might lose his son, the father pleaded with Jesus, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (Mark 9:17–22). Jesus answered, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). The boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). This honest response reflects what many people feel when children suffer—faith is present, but so is doubt. In reply, Jesus doesn’t rebuke the boy’s father. Instead, He showed compassion to his son (Mark 9:25–27).
This story illustrates that, while sin has corrupted the world, God is working to restore it to His original design. Although God doesn’t instantly fix all hurt and pain, He will eventually do so for those who know Jesus (Romans 8:28). This promise offers hope to the hurting. In Scripture, hope is not wishful thinking or pretending that everything is fine. Hope means trusting that God is good and faithful, even when circumstances suggest otherwise (Hebrews 11:1). This hope is anchored in God’s love for the brokenhearted and His promise that their suffering will end one day (John 3:16; 16:20).
It’s impossible to genuinely love others, as God has commanded people to do, and be indifferent to their suffering (Leviticus 19:18; e.g., Lamentations 2:19). This is why Jairus pleaded with Jesus for his dying daughter (Mark 5:22–23), and an unnamed Syrophoenician woman pleaded with Him for hers (Mark 7:25–26). They turned to Jesus because He alone could relieve their suffering. Jesus came into the world and died on the cross to begin restoring what sin had broken (John 1:14). He will finish what He started in God's perfect timing.
I watched a movie on this very subject last evening.
It was about a man who lost his wife to cancer.
Two years later, he lost his young daughter to cancer as well.
He got to be so mad at God for taking them away
that he almost took his own life.
The pastor of the church ministered to him many times until
he finally realized God had a purpose for it all.
Even though he didn't understand.
The movie did not say it was a true story.
But it could have been.
God allows painful things to happen in all the lives of believers.
And they may not be for us to understand.
But just to trust the God who loves us.
Revelation 14:5
5 And In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Revelation 14:5 highlights the purity, truthfulness, and blamelessness of the 144,000 followers of Christ, emphasizing their integrity and devotion before God.
Core Meaning
Revelation 14:5 states that “in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless” (KJV). This verse portrays the 144,000 as individuals who are completely truthful and morally upright, reflecting the character of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, in their speech and actions . Their blamelessness is not due to personal perfection but is the result of God’s sanctifying work, which enables them to live in holiness and integrity despite a world filled with deception and moral compromise .
Symbolism of the 144,000
The 144,000 are depicted as a redeemed group standing before God’s throne, representing completeness and spiritual perfection. They are described as pure, honest, and devoted, symbolizing the ultimate victory of righteousness over sin . Their unity and devotion to the Lamb illustrate a life fully aligned with God’s will, serving as a model for believers to pursue truthfulness and moral integrity in their own lives .
Spiritual and Practical Implications
- Truthfulness: The phrase “no lie was found in their mouths” emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity, reflecting God’s nature and calling believers to align their words and actions with divine truth .
- Blamelessness: Being “blameless” signifies a heart committed to righteousness, covered by God’s grace, rather than human perfection. It encourages believers to seek holiness through faith and obedience .
- Call to Action: The verse challenges Christians to examine their own lives, striving to embody purity, honesty, and devotion to Christ in daily choices, reflecting the character of the redeemed .
Context in Revelation
Revelation 14:5 occurs within a vision of the Lamb on Mount Zion, surrounded by the 144,000 redeemed from the earth. This imagery emphasizes divine judgment, moral purity, and the ultimate vindication of the righteous. The verse underscores the broader theme of Revelation: the triumph of God’s righteousness and the hope of standing blameless before Him at the final judgment .
In summary, Revelation 14:5 serves as both a description of the redeemed and a spiritual exhortation, highlighting the virtues of truthfulness, integrity, and blamelessness as central to following Christ faithfully.
