Because all of God actions unfold in accordance with a “divine timetable” (Ecc 3:1, 11). Throughout Scripture, God is never portrayed as reacting impulsively to events. Rather, He works according to a predetermined plan established before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:11, cf. Isa 46:9-11).
The Father TIMES everything He does. To us, this may sometimes appear like delay, but not to Him. Human beings naturally expect immediate action, yet, the Bible repeatedly reminds us that God’s perspective on time differs from ours (2 Pt 3:8). God never acts late, neither does He act prematurely. Everything occurs exactly WHEN He intends (see also Gen 21:1-2, Exo 12:41, Dan 9:24-27, Rom 5:6, Gal 4:4).
Now, the truth is, the devil has already been sentenced (Gen 3:14-15, Jn 12:31, 16:11) and partly judged in the finished work of Christ (Col 2:15, Heb 2:14). There, however, remains a final judgment in which the devil and his host would be FULLY executed. This judgment is not uncertain, we KNOW it will happen! What we now await is its realization (Rom 16:20).
Scripture consistently shows that in God’s “divine timetable,” the execution of the devil belongs to the future, not the present time. Fallen angels are “reserved” for FUTURE judgment (2 Pt 2:4, Jd 6, cf. Matt 25:41). The Son waits “until His enemies are made His footstool” (1 Corin 15:25, Heb 10:12-13), that is, until His victory is fully enforced against the hosts of darkness. There is an appointed time when they will be punished (Matt 8:29). When is that time? The end of the world. God has ordained that the destruction of the devil and the end of the world would coincide together. They would happen at the SAME time (cf. Rev 20:10-15).
Thus, if God were to destroy the devil, the world would immediately end. Now, on the surface, that might seem a good thing, until we realize that there are MILLIONS who are yet unsaved. The destruction of the devil and the simultaneous consummation of the age means they never get the chance to repent again.
We therefore find that God’s delay of the destruction of the devil is actually for the sinner’s benefit; more time is being given him to believe (2 Pt 3:9, 15). Thus, God’s patience is not weakness, it actually reveals His compassion! Does He have the power to IMMEDIATELY execute the forces of darkness? Yes. Would He use that power immediately? No. Why? Because of what that would mean—countless souls perishing.
Now, this does not mean that God just allows the devil free rein in our world, while He waits for sinners to believe. Scripture teaches that the devil’s actions are HIGHLY restricted. God Himself puts strict boundaries about what he can do (see, for example, Job 1:12, 2:6, Lk 22:31-32, 1 Corin 10:13). Thus, for the time being, God restrains the devil, so we are not completely destroyed.
We can therefore be confident that the devil’s current reign of terror over the Earth is temporary. It is permitted, only because of God’s love for the sinner. The time would come, however, when the “period of grace” would run out, the world would end, and the devil, together with obstinate sinners, would be judged (Acts 17:31, cf. Matt 10:14-15, 11:20-24, 13:39-43). On that day, “…God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev 21:4). The evil, pain and suffering we currently experience shall be no more.
Josh Banks Ministries. 2026.
