This is a good thread as it go beyond the witnesses as to how the people on this forum view God.
It also begs the question whether a person left the witnesses or they actually left God?
but back to the original question why apparently cruel armageddon? this scripture helps me.
Matthew 24:22
If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
We have to wonder how we ourselves are so bad that God has to step in? I ask myself are we responsible for the continued suffering of people in places like africa, if we have medication that could help the aids victims and food to feed the starving but leave it to ill-funded charities. are we condemning ourselves by our treatment of ourselves? 4 million abortions a year! greed making petrol the fuel we use destroying our atmosphere when we could change to alternatives but choose not to!
Are we condemned if we finally have the means to make the whole world peaceful and well fed and even healthy in the greater part but choose not to out of greed, hatred and the human condition of imperfection making us unable to help ourselves to a greater good even when language is no longer a barrier and we can reach every part easily?
these are all my speculations btw feel free to disagree lol.