Yes, God is stronger than the devil, and someday God’s victory over Satan and all his forces of evil and death will be complete. Someday, the Bible says, the devil will be defeated and he “will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

But in the meantime, the cosmic battle between God and Satan continues, and will continue until the end of the present age. As I’ve often said in this column, don’t think of the devil as a cute little cartoon figure, wearing a red suit and carrying a pitchfork. Satan is a powerful spiritual being, and his one goal is to oppose God and His people. As the Bible says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against … the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12).

The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly where Satan came from, although it suggests he may have been an archangel who rebelled against God and sought to take God’s place. He is not equal with God, nor has he always existed.

The most important thing you need to know about the devil, however, is this: he is a defeated foe! Satan thought he had won when Jesus died on the cross—but he was wrong, because through His death Jesus opened Heaven’s door to all who put their trust in Him. And by His resurrection, Christ conquered the powers of death and Hell and Satan forever.

Is your faith and hope in Christ for your salvation?