Please Help Us Keep These Thousands of Blog Posts Growing and Free for All

$5.00

Has Evil Won?

In the struggle between good and evil, many wonder if evil has gained the upper hand. A biblically informed response reveals that, while evil may seem to flourish temporarily, it is ultimately doomed to defeat.

Understanding Evil’s Temporary Reign

Scripture clearly acknowledges the pervasive presence of evil in the world. 1 John 5:19 states, “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” This dominion of evil is seen as a temporary allowance by God, serving a purpose in His sovereign plan.

The Sovereignty of Jehovah Over Evil

God’s sovereignty over evil is affirmed throughout the Bible. Job 1:12 shows Jehovah limiting Satan’s power, indicating divine control even over the wicked one’s actions. The book of Job is a testament to the truth that evil, though at times perplexing, is never beyond the oversight of Jehovah.

Jesus Christ’s Victory Over Evil

The arrival of Jesus Christ marked the beginning of the end for evil’s rule. Colossians 2:15 proclaims, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Christ’s death and resurrection sealed the eventual eradication of evil.

The Role of Christians in a Fallen World

Believers are called to stand against evil, armored with spiritual conviction. Ephesians 6:11-13 encourages us to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Christians, therefore, are not passive victims but active combatants against evil, fortified by divine strength.

The Assurance of Evil’s Defeat

The prophetic narrative of Scripture assures us of evil’s ultimate defeat. Revelation 20:10 foretells the end of Satan, the personification of evil: “The devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” This scripture, dating back to the 1st century C.E., emphasizes the eternal triumph of good over evil.

Enduring Through Trials

Believers are called to endure, understanding that trials refine faith. James 1:2-4 exhorts, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” The existence of evil serves to develop spiritual resilience and maturity.

Manifestation of God’s Justice

Evil’s presence allows for the manifestation of God’s justice and righteousness. The Day of Judgment, a pivotal event expected in the future, will witness the vindication of God’s moral order, as 2 Peter 3:7 indicates: “But the heavens and the earth, which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

The biblical testimony is clear: while evil may manifest in various ways and at times appear to dominate, it is never outside the realm of God’s control and will ultimately be vanquished. Believers are empowered to confront and overcome evil through the strength that God provides, steadfast in the hope of the ultimate triumph of good as ordained by divine authority.

The Limitations of Human Governance

The question of human self-governance is one that scripture addresses with candor. The Bible presents the stark limitations of human rulership, separated from divine guidance. Jeremiah 10:23 states, “I well know, O Jehovah, that to man’s way does not belong; it does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” This underlines the inherent fallibility of human efforts at self-determination and governance without reliance on God.

Divine Will vs. Human Autonomy

The tension between God’s sovereignty and human autonomy is evident throughout biblical history. In 1 Samuel 8, Israel demanded a king, rejecting Jehovah’s rulership. God allowed it, but warned them of the consequences of preferring human rule over divine kingship. This episode illustrates that while humans can rule themselves in a practical sense, their success is ultimately limited and flawed when compared to divine governance.

The Role of Wisdom in Leadership

Proverbs 3:5-7 advises not to lean on one’s own understanding but to trust in Jehovah for guidance. This implies that successful rulership is dependent on wisdom from God rather than on human wisdom alone. It indicates that, while humans can exercise a form of rulership, it is only through divine wisdom that it can yield positive outcomes.

Christ’s Millennial Reign: The Ultimate Testimony

Revelation 20:4-6 prophesies about the millennial reign of Christ, a period marked by the reign of righteousness. This future event is significant as it will demonstrate the ideal form of governance under the kingship of Jesus Christ, contrasting sharply with the flawed human governments that have prevailed.

The Imperfection of Human Efforts

The biblical narrative does not dismiss human governance outright, but it does cast a critical eye on its imperfection. Romans 13:1-7 recognizes the authority of human governments as instituted by God for order and justice but also highlights that they are not the ultimate solution.

The Need for God’s Kingdom

Matthew 6:10 records Jesus’ instruction to pray for God’s Kingdom to come—reflecting a longing for a time when divine governance will replace human rule. This prayer acknowledges the limitations of human rulership and expresses faith in the perfect government of God’s Kingdom.

The biblical assessment of human self-rule is that, while it exists as a matter of practical necessity, it is inherently flawed and unable to achieve the righteousness, peace, and stability that only God’s Kingdom can provide. The narrative suggests that human rulership, at its best, is provisional and points to a time when God’s direct rule through Christ will bring about the conditions humans have longed for but never achieved on their own.

The Limits of Satanic Influence

Satan’s influence is indeed pervasive, as indicated by Ephesians 2:2, where he is called “the ruler of the authority of the air,” symbolizing his extensive, but not absolute, influence over human society. However, his power to turn individuals away from God is not absolute.

The Shield of Faith

Believers are assured of divine protection against Satanic influences. Ephesians 6:16 emphasizes the ‘shield of faith’ with which one can “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” This suggests that while Satan may target believers, their faith serves as a defense, preventing them from being turned away from God.

The Example of Job

The book of Job is a case study in the limits of Satan’s power to turn a person away from God. Despite severe trials allowed by God, Job maintained his integrity and did not renounce his Creator. Job 1:22 states, “In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.” This demonstrates that Satan does not have the power to turn every individual away from God.

God’s Sovereign Will

James 4:7 provides the assurance that if one submits to God and resists the Devil, the adversary will flee. This is a testament to the superior authority of God’s will over Satan’s intentions. No matter how pervasive the Devil’s influence may seem, it is ultimately God’s will that prevails.

The Unbreakable Bond

Romans 8:38-39 declares that nothing can separate believers from the love of God. This includes Satan’s attempts to turn individuals away from God. The bond between God and those who love Him is presented as unbreakable, regardless of Satanic efforts.

The Eventual Outcome

Revelation 12:10-11 prophesies Satan’s eventual defeat and highlights the testimony of believers who overcome him “by the blood of the Lamb.” This implies that, while Satan may wage war against believers, he will not be successful in turning all away from God.

While Satan may endeavor to turn people from God, his success is limited by the power of faith, the authority of God, and the ultimate victory promised through Christ. Believers are equipped with spiritual armor to withstand Satanic assaults, and the narrative of scripture reinforces the promise of God’s prevailing sovereignty over any of Satan’s schemes.

The Assurance of Prophecy

The future, according to biblical prophecy, is not a mystery but a promise of hope and restoration. Daniel 2:44 proclaims the establishment of God’s kingdom that will never be destroyed, a kingdom that will put an end to all earthly rule and bring about everlasting righteousness. This prophecy gives believers a clear vision of the future where evil does not win but is decisively defeated.

The New Creation

Revelation 21:1-4 offers a vivid picture of a new heaven and a new earth where “death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.” The future holds a reality where the effects of evil are completely eradicated, fulfilling God’s original purpose for humanity and creation.

The Judgment

The future includes a time of judgment where each individual’s choices and actions are assessed. Revelation 20:12-15 describes the great white throne judgment, indicating that those whose names are not found in the book of life are finally separated from God’s presence, ensuring that evil no longer has any influence or place within God’s eternal kingdom.

The Restoration of All Things

Acts 3:21 speaks of a time for “restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” This points to a future where not only is evil defeated but everything impacted by sin is restored to its intended glory and perfection.

The Victory of Christ

1 Corinthians 15:24-26 declares that Christ must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet, with the last enemy to be destroyed being death. This assures believers that Christ’s victory over sin and death is not partial but total and conclusive. The future holds the ultimate manifestation of this victory, where Christ’s lordship is acknowledged universally.

Eternal Life with God

John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. The future holds the promise of an unending communion with God, where believers experience the fullness of life in the presence of their Creator, free from the corruption of sin and evil.

The Role of Believers

While the victory over evil is assured, believers are called to be active participants in realizing this future. Matthew 28:19-20 commissions believers to make disciples of all nations, indicating that the spread of the gospel and the growth of God’s kingdom on earth are integral to the unfolding of the future as God intends.

The future, as foretold in scripture, holds the complete eradication of evil, the restoration of creation, the universal acknowledgment of Christ’s lordship, and the fulfillment of God’s purpose for humanity in eternal communion with Him. Believers are encouraged to live in this hope, actively participating in God’s redemptive work as they await the full realization of His kingdom.

Making a Choice

The scriptures present a clear delineation between two realms—the domain of God’s righteous sovereignty and the realm influenced by Satan’s rebellion. Joshua 24:15 challenges God’s people with a choice: “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” This decision is pivotal, not only reflecting one’s current state of allegiance but also determining one’s eternal destiny.

The Call to Faithfulness

In the spiritual battle between good and evil, neutrality is not an option. Revelation 3:15-16 warns against lukewarmness, emphasizing that a half-hearted stance is as good as opposition to God. Believers are thus called to a wholehearted commitment, demonstrating their allegiance to God through obedience, worship, and service.

The Power of the Gospel

Choosing God’s side is fundamentally about embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ, which Paul declares to be “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). This choice involves acknowledging one’s sinfulness, accepting Christ’s redemptive sacrifice, and living in the newness of life afforded by the Holy Spirit.

Living as Light in Darkness

Jesus calls His followers the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16), tasked with reflecting God’s righteousness and truth in a world marred by evil. Taking God’s side means actively resisting the moral and spiritual darkness of the age, embodying the values of God’s kingdom in every aspect of life.

Enduring in Faith

The decision to side with God is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages believers to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” This endurance is essential for navigating the trials and temptations that challenge one’s allegiance.

The Promise of Victory

Choosing to align with God comes with the assurance of victory. 1 John 5:4-5 identifies faith as the victory that overcomes the world. Believers who remain steadfast in their allegiance to God are promised a share in Christ’s triumph over sin and death.

The Urgency of the Decision

The urgency of choosing sides cannot be overstated. The reality of Christ’s imminent return (Revelation 22:12) and the final judgment underscores the importance of making a decisive commitment to God. Delay or indecision could have eternal consequences.

In conclusion, the question of whose side one will take is central to the Christian faith. It involves a comprehensive commitment to God, manifested in belief, obedience, and active participation in His work. This choice defines one’s identity, shapes one’s destiny, and aligns one with the ultimate victor in the cosmic conflict between good and evil.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).