Proverbs 16:4
The Lord has made everything for His own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
Our God is the Almighty God of the Ages, Creator of the Universe. He has made all things for His own pleasure, and all His purposes for everything will be accomplished. His goodness to those who love Him is set in contrast to His justice in punishing the wicked who hate Him. Just as the fiery light of a diamond gleams brightest against a black velvet backdrop, so His chosen ones will shine with His glory forever.
I think of a video game scenario, a very poor illustration: As the player controls the hero, and the hero learns by trial and gains in skills and powers, he fights and vanquishes ever stronger foes until he finally comes to the culmination, the final victory, and wins the game. There would be no game without the dastardly foes.
And our dastardly foes are not flesh and blood, but are spiritual authorities in heavenly places, invisible to our physical eyes, but detectable in our spirits. This foe often attacks us through human people who have been deceived by him, but these people are not really our enemies, but the dark powers behind them are. That's why Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, those who despitefully use us, because God's goodness to them can lead them to repentance also, as it did for us.
But those people who refuse to want to know the Truth, and choose to continue in the godless life they have made for themselves, will in the end find that their god is our enemy, and will share his eternity, separated from God. This will starkly contrast with the light and life and joy and peace we will have in Christ with God forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
