God can only choose the wisest and best plan for eternity. In eternity the principles of right and wrong (good and evil) will always exist. The ability to understand these concepts is part of the human and the angelic natures. God created His intelligent beings with the power and freedom to choose between right and wrong.  The angels were made to live in the heavens. Adam and Eve were given a paradise on earth and told to have dominion over the Garden of Eden.

God allowed Lucifer, the rebel angel, to oppose God, seize world rule and introduce sinful choices which lead to sorrow and death. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer …You said in your heart . . .I will raise my throne above the stars of God. . .” Isaiah 14:12-13 (NIV). 

Lucifer heard God tell Adam: “. . . you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:17 (NIV).  But this information wasn’t enough to stop Adam or Lucifer and some of the angels from disobeying.  Adam and Eve choose sin and ate from the forbidden tree when Lucifer came into the Garden disguised as a serpent. Then Lucifer told the first lie. “You won’t die” Genesis 3:4 (NIV). After Adam and Eve sinned, God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil” Genesis 3:22 (NIV). God’s plan progressed. 

God always knew that goodness and righteousness would be understood best by comparing it with sin and its evil consequences.  God allowed Lucifer to come into the world and rule so He could use Lucifer to help teach how sin causes suffering, sorrow, and death. After man’s experience with sin is completed, the lessons learned will increase man’s love and praise for the Creator. Mankind will then greatly value the path of goodness. When God’s kingdom on earth is established, resurrected mankind will remember their horrible experiences with evil.

During that Kingdom, Christ “(will have) seized…that ancient serpent…and bound him for a thousand years” Revelation 20:2 (NIV). Lucifer and the angels that joined him who don’t repent will be killed and destroyed forever. “And the angels who …abandoned their proper dwelling (home in heaven)…he has kept…for judgment on the great (kingdom) Day.” Jude 6 (NIV).  During that same kingdom time, men who do not repent will also die forever. God’s perfect kingdom on earth, the paradise lost when Adam sinned, will be restored and become the home to redeemed mankind. “…To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” Revelation 2:7 (NIV). “Then I saw a new earth…(God) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away…Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.” Revelation 21:1-7 (NIV). 

This evil world ruled by Lucifer is also a special test for Christians and an opportunity to prove their love and obedience to righteousness through experiences that cause suffering. In this way, Christians may follow Jesus’ example, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me,” Mark 8:34. Victorious Christians will be “heirs of God, and heirs together of Christ” of the kingdom (Romans 8:17 – YLT). As heirs, they will have the honor of assisting Jesus to bring God’s kingdom. “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” Revelation 3:21 (NIV). God’s promised seed will do its work, “…in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed” Genesis 28:14 (NASB).

Eventually, everyone who learns to love God more than anything else and to hate everything that is opposed to God’s will be blessed forevermore. This has always been God’s plan. 

Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1266: “Why Doesn’t God Just Destroy Satan?”
Satan’s history and God’s righteous reasons for keeping him alive
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

For children, parents and Bible class teachers:
Animated video: Why didn’t God stop Satan from tempting Eve?
Animated video: What does the Bible say about Satan?