And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the sabbath; and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, "Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." And reports of him went out into every place in the surrounding region. Luke 4:31–37 (RSV)
Demons and unclean spirits have no trouble recognizing Jesus. Often when Jesus encountered a person possessed by a demon(s), as He cast them out, they cried out in fear as they are clear about who Jesus is. Even before Jesus utters a word, they cry out, begging Jesus not to destroy them. Yes, those gathered in the synagogue that Sabbath were amazed, but not enough to let themselves believe what the demons knew.
It is a curious thing, that though the demons beg Jesus not to harm them, with one exception, Luke 8.26-33, Jesus lets the demons depart. The Father does not destroy the serpent who beguiled Eve in the Garden. At first, one wonders why God doesn't destroy those who are hateful of God. Why does the Father allow the evil one and his minions to exist?
It is what we would do if we had the power over our enemies. We would undo them as far as our ability allowed. We would justify it, convince ourselves that 'they had it coming,' and the world is a better place without them. This has been the pattern throughout the ages, humans destroying other humans, often for the crime of not being us.
The Father stays His hand, for even the devil and his angels are still creatures of the Father. They are in rebellion against the Father. They wish to be God, and that lust has driven them beyond madness. They see evil as good and good as evil. They delude themselves so that they can believe that they will one day rule all things.
The Father still has mercy in His heart for the demons as He does for you and I. It is the Father's purpose to redeem all creation: for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:20–23 (RSV)
The whole creation longs for its redemption; even the evil one can be redeemed should he give up mad longing to be God. He too, could learn of the Father's love and mercy. Thanks be to God that He does not judge us according to our thoughts, words, and deeds. Thanks be to God that He has given His Son to be the Savior of all creation.