Waltke: the Bible rejects a doctrine of an eternal dualism between good and evil.

The New Testament makes clear that this anti-kingdom host is organized, not disorganized. Satan gives them direction and empowers them (Mark 3:22). In Mark, Satan is “the prince of demons” (3:22); in John, “the prince of this world” (12:31), and in Paul, the spirit infecting the “principalities” and “powers of this dark world”: “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:11–12). These evil, immortal spirits are more powerful than the human spirit, and Jesus does not challenge Satan’s claim that he could have offered Jesus all the kingdoms of this world (Gr. kosmos, in the sense of an organized system opposed to God; Matt. 4:8–10). Satan’s activity is evil: to destroy the kingdom of God (Matt 13:38; Mark 4:15; Luke 22:3, 31).

Jesus invaded Satan’s realm, and the demons recognized his superiority and the supernatural power that crushes them (Mark 1:24). Christ routed Satan and his demonic horde (Mark 1:24; 3:22). As a result, Satan lost his ascendancy over the world, and Christ’s disciples can tread upon him (Luke 10:18; cf. Gen. 3:15; Rom. 16:20). The human spirit, fortified by the Holy Spirit, is greater (1 John 4:4). Nevertheless, Satan still prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour and at the end of the time of his binding will be set free for a short time (Rev. 20:3). Powerful though he and his minions may be, they cannot separate the people of God from God’s love for them (Rom 8:38). In other words, the Bible rejects a doctrine of an eternal dualism between good and evil. Good prevails over evil.

Waltke, B. K., & Yu, C. (2007). An Old Testament theology: an exegetical, canonical, and thematic approach (p. 231). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

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