Evil, victory over

Although evil continues to be present and active in the world, Scripture gives an assurance that God will finally triumph over evil in all its forms.

Satan's power is already limited by God

“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Evil spirits are subject to God's control

1 Samuel 16:14 See also Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 18:10, 1 Samuel 19:9; 1 Kings 22:23; Colossians 2:13–15; Jude 1:6

Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.

Jesus Christ's triumph over evil powers

1 John 3:8 See also Matthew 12:25–29 parallels Mark 3:23–27, Luke 11:17–22; Mark 1:27 parallel Luke 4:36; Luke 4:13, Luke 10:18; John 12:31, John 14:30; Hebrews 2:14–15; 1 John 4:4; Revelation 3:21

The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.

God's transforming power reverses the effects of evil in human lives

2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2 See also Jonah 3:10; Mark 5:15 parallel Luke 8:35; Luke 19:8; Acts 26:17–18; Romans 6:14, Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Colossians 3:10

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

God brings good out of evil

Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28 See also Genesis 45:8; Job 23:10; John 9:3, John 12:24; Acts 2:36, Acts 3:13–16, Acts 5:30–31; Philippians 1:12–14, Philippians 1:17–18; James 1:2–3; 1 Peter 1:6–7

As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this— to preserve the lives of many people.

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

The removal of the curse on creation

Romans 8:20–21 See also Matthew 19:28; Acts 3:21; Revelation 21:1, Revelation 21:5, Revelation 22:3

For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Jesus Christ's victory over evil is expressed in his thousand-year reign with believers, during which Satan is bound

Revelation 20:4 See also Revelation 20:2 Interpreters differ over whether the “thousand years” refers to a future period or to Jesus Christ's present rule in the world.

Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

The final defeat of all evil powers

Revelation 20:4; Romans 16:20; Revelation 20:10 See also Malachi 4:1; Matthew 13:41–42, Matthew 25:41; 1 Corinthians 15:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:20, Revelation 21:8

Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Evil will be excluded from the new heaven and earth

2 Peter 3:13 See also Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:4, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 22:15

But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.