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Having heard of the arguments put forth by Origen regarding universal salvation to an extent that includes even the devil, I have recently been considering the inverse, that is, the possibility of the Enemy’s permanent damnation.
For theologies given to that premise, does it ever follow that hatred and contempt and ill-will, prohibited by Jesus when directed at your neighbors/enemies may be a virtue when directed at spiritual enemies such as demons and/or of Satan himself?
Jude 1:8-10 says:
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
It is difficult, perhaps even impossible, for a person to harbor hatred, contempt, and ill-will towards another entity without an underlying basis of judgement. Using the Scriptures as a guide and relying on the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit we are to judge between good and evil (particularly as we examine ourselves) and we are to hate evil and love good but we are never to pronounce judgement upon another entity.
The Scripture is clear:
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly. - Deut. 32:35
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:19-21
The Lord God Almighty sees and remembers all and He reckons everything rightly without respect of person. We may resist the devil, we should flee temptation, we should avoid people acting wickedly and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling but when we judge another entity we step into God's purview and this is what makes that sort of judgement blasphemous.
If Michael the Archangel is lauded in Scripture for refraining from such presumption we should stay well clear of it ourselves.
