The Permanent End of Evil: God’s Justice in Scripture

From the very beginning, God’s Word makes it clear that evil will not last forever. God is completely holy, perfectly just, and fully in control. His plan ensures that sin, rebellion, and corruption are completely removed, and this truth runs through the Torah, the Tanakh, and the New Testament.

In the Torah, God uses strong, precise words to show that evil has limits. The Hebrew verb שָׁמַד (shamad) means to totally destroy or wipe out completely. אָבַד (ʾavad) means to perish, be lost, or end fully, and כָּלָה (kalah) means to finish or be completely gone. These words appear in big moments, like the flood in Genesis 6–9, and in God’s instructions to deal with nations that worship idols in Deuteronomy 7:16. Other Hebrew words, like מוּט (muth), meaning to decay or fall apart, and חָרַב (charab), meaning to be laid waste, show up in the books of the prophets to make the point clear: evil will meet a permanent, irreversible end. God’s covenant and His plan cannot coexist with people who keep rebelling.

This same truth continues throughout the Tanakh. Psalm 37 describes God’s justice: “Evildoers will disappear, but those who wait for YHWH will inherit the land” (Psalm 37:9). Prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel show that corruption and wicked leaders, along with their followers, will fall, and righteousness will return (Isaiah 34, Ezekiel 21:27; 28:22). The Hebrew verbs שָׁמַד, אָבַד, כָּלָה appear again and again, emphasizing that when God acts, evil is finished. Even when He warns and gives people time to turn back, persistent rebellion cannot survive.

The New Testament teaches the same truth with Greek words. ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi) means to destroy completely, and ἀπώλεια (apōleia) means permanent ruin or loss. φθείρω (phtheirō) means to corrupt or decay, and καταστρέφω (katastréphō) means to overturn or destroy fully. Yeshua teaches in Matthew 10:28, “Don’t fear people who can kill the body but cannot destroy the soul. Fear God, who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” Revelation introduces the Second Death, δευτέρα θάνατος (deutera thanatos), as the final end of sin, death, and anyone who rejects God (Revelation 20:10, 14–15; 21:8). These words show that God’s removal of evil is total, final, and necessary for creation to be fully restored.

This story is not just about language. It is God’s big, unfolding plan. From His promises to Abraham, to His covenant with David, and ultimately through the Messiah, God intended the removal of evil. Abraham’s covenant promised that all nations would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:3), and David’s covenant promised an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:16). Sin and rebellion cannot survive if these promises are to come true.

The prophets show the end of evil tied directly to the coming Messiah. Isaiah paints the scene of God’s sword executing justice against rebels (Isaiah 11:4; 63:3), and Ezekiel shows corrupt leaders removed and righteousness restored (Ezekiel 21:27; 28:22). Every Hebrew and Greek word about destruction points forward to Yeshua, who brings final justice. In the New Testament, Yeshua separates the righteous from the wicked. The wicked are cast away permanently, while the righteous inherit eternal life. Revelation calls this the Second Death, ensuring that evil is gone forever.

This isn’t just about understanding God’s justice, it’s about living it today. God’s Word isn’t history or prophecy only; it’s reality, and it touches your life personally. When you see lies, cruelty, or injustice, remember: evil does not have the final word. Yeshua promises that one day all evil will be gone, and the righteous will inherit life forever. That promise affects how you live and act today. Psalm 37 encourages us to wait for God, not passively, but by living in His way, trusting His justice, and letting Him guide every decision.

Knowing that God will remove evil completely gives you freedom to stand boldly, make right choices, and live in His truth. Every Hebrew word, שָׁמַד, אָבַד, כָּלָה, מוּט, חָרַב, and every Greek word, ἀπόλλυμι, ἀπώλεια, φθείρω, καταστρέφω, deutera thanatos, points to the same reality: evil is temporary, and God will act decisively. His kingdom will reign fully, eternally, and without opposition.

So today, choose life. Trust YHWH, follow Yeshua, and let God’s truth guide your heart. You are part of the story where evil is defeated, righteousness prevails, and God’s justice shines completely. Evil will meet a permanent, irreversible end, and God’s creation will finally reflect His perfect will.

And ain't thing one anyone can do about it.  Let me also add this: Yeshua teaches us to love our neighbor - on THAT commandment hangs ALL the law and the prophets. THAT'S what it's all about... love.