8738 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

Job 1:12 See also Ge 3:14-15; Job 2:6; Zec 3:2; Rev 12:9

Evil spirits are subject to God’s control

1Sa 16:14 See also Jdg 9:23; 1Sa 18:10; 1Sa 19:9; 1Ki 22:23; Col 2:13-15; Jude 6

Jesus Christ’s triumph over evil powers

1Jn 3:8 See also Mt 12:25-29 pp Mk 3:23-27 pp Lk 11:17-22; Mk 1:27 pp Lk 4:36; Lk 4:13; Lk 10:18; Jn 12:31; Jn 14:30; Heb 2:14-15; 1Jn 4:4; Rev 3:21

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

2Co 3:18; 1Jn 3:2 See also Jnh 3:10; Mk 5:15 pp Lk 8:35; Lk 19:8; Ac 26:17-18; Ro 6:14; Ro 12:2; 1Co 15:10; 2Co 12:9; Col 3:10

God brings good out of evil

Ge 50:20; Ro 8:28 See also Ge 45:8; Job 23:10; Jn 9:3; Jn 12:24; Ac 2:36; Ac 3:13-16; Ac 5:30-31; Php 1:12-14,17-18; Jas 1:2-3; 1Pe 1:6-7

The removal of the curse on creation

Ro 8:20-21 See also Mt 19:28; Ac 3:21; Rev 21:1,5; Rev 22:3

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

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

The final defeat of all evil powers

Rev 20:4; Ro 16:20; Rev 20:10 See also Mal 4:1; Mt 13:41-42; Mt 25:41; 1Co 15:25; 2Th 2:8; Rev 19:20; Rev 21:8

Evil will be excluded from the new heaven and earth

2Pe 3:13 See also Isa 65:17; Rev 21:4,27; Rev 22:15

See also