Why do so many people have to experience terrible suffering before death?

Answer

Suffering is a universal part of our humanity that exists in a fallen world. The question of why there is suffering in death for some and not as much for others is truly unanswerable. We interpret things based on our human experience and fail to comprehend the infinite mind and purpose of God. In the renowned faith chapter, we often encounter the heroes of faith but overlook the countless unnamed individuals who endured suffering for their faith (Hebrews 11:33-40). These individuals faced agonizing deaths yet are esteemed as heroes of faith. They remain anonymous and unrecognized by people, yet God esteems their suffering and includes them in this significant chapter of faith as a lesson for us.

Suffering and death are consequences of the curse of sin on the world (Genesis 3:16-19). When Adam and Eve transgressed, they brought upon themselves and all their descendants the suffering of death. “But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” «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 2:17). Although Adam and Eve did not physically die on the day they ate from the tree, Adam lived to be 930 years old «and all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. », (Genesis 5:5). However, when Adam sinned, he experienced spiritual separation from God, which is the initial form of death.

The question of why some suffer at death while others do not can be summarized in one statement: “God is sovereign.” This is not merely a superficial or simplistic statement.

When Jesus healed a man born blind, the disciples questioned Him. “‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life’” (John 9:1-3). This passage contains a principle that can be applied to our question. God allows some to suffer so that “the work of God might be displayed.” In other words, God allows some to suffer to bring glory to His name and others not to suffer for the same reason. It is His sovereign will that determines each circumstance. Therefore, we can safely say that no suffering is without a purpose in the plan of God, even though we as finite humans may not see that purpose clearly.

The Apostle Paul suffered much in his life and ministry. A list of that suffering can be found in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. Paul was martyred for his testimony and according to universal tradition was decapitated after a long imprisonment. However, during this time, he wrote this testimony to Timothy: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Another purpose for suffering is to be a witness to those watching that God’s grace and strength are sufficient to enable a believer to stand in that suffering «And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. », (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Paul also gives us an example of how we should vView suffering as a child of God. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). And Paul also said, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain” «For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. », (Philippians 1:21). Therefore, however a believer dies, in suffering or in relative peace, it is but a transition to “face to face” with the LORD. Once that transition has been made, all of the sorrow and pain of the suffering will end. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” «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).