[kosta50]

The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. (e.g. slave to sin) [1 Jon 3:8]

But, HD, if the devil, by your theology, is necessarily God's obedient servant doing simply God's will, why would God come to destroy him?

[HarleyD]

But, HD, if the devil, by your theology, is necessarily God's obedient servant doing simply God's will, why would God come to destroy him?

The only way we can understand God's grace is to understand God's wrath. There are vessels of wrath created for their destruction:

Psa 92:6-7 A senseless man has no knowledge, Nor does a stupid man understand this: That when the wicked sprouted up like grass And all who did iniquity flourished, It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.

Rom 9:22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?

I will add this to this puzzlement, it is my personal belief that everyone will be exactly where they want to be. Consequently the rich man who looked at Abraham from the depths of hell never asked to be removed from the flaming torment. He only asked Abraham to quench his tongue.