Q:
My friend told me about a passage in the Bible that says even the devil believes in God. Does this mean even the devil will be saved and go to heaven? I'm not sure I like that idea.
A:
The devil and his servants certainly believe God exists because Satan’s sole purpose is to oppose God and do everything he can to block God’s plans. The Bible says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder” (James 2:19).
But I can assure you that you won’t see the devil in heaven! For one thing, Satan would never want to go there, because heaven stands for everything he hates. Satan is for sorrow and death, but in heaven those will be banished. Satan is for sin and evil, but in heaven we will worship God and serve Him alone. Satan is for hatred and strife, but in heaven there will only be love and peace. You can trust God’s promise: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).
Furthermore, the Bible tells us that at the end of time Satan will be bound forever, and Christ alone will be victorious. More than that, Satan will share the same fate that he knew his followers would share: “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur…. Tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
The real question, however, is this: Are you certain you will go to heaven when you die? You can be, by repenting of your sins and putting your faith and trust in Christ alone for your salvation. When we know Christ, we have “an inheritance (in heaven) that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Peter 1:4).