The simple fact is, TFA is not a direct sequel to ROTJ. It’s more so it’s own story that takes place after ROTJ.
I can agree with this. That’s why I wish this was it’s own series instead of keeping the episode numbers. There’s clearly another trilogy worth of info that we’ve missed. Maybe that info isn’t important to this current tale, but it is important to the larger story.
A person miffed that the ST undoes the victories won in the OT and resets the galaxy to Empire vs Rebels with no explanation is a person with a valid complaint.