Morgoth, Sauron, and Balrogs: Eternal Demons or Fated to Fading?

In J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, the concept of being evil and going against Eru's plan stills a being's innate power has often puzzled many scholars and enthusiasts. Specifically, is it true that characters like Melkor (Morgoth) and Sauron were destined to fade away purely because they opposed Eru's will? Or is it possible that demons like Morgoth, Sauron, and Balrogs could last until the end of time?

Evil and Power Drain in Middle-earth

It is generally believed that those who oppose Eru's plan tend to lose their spiritual connection and thus their innate power in the Tolkien universe. For example, Melkor invested his might in creating orcs, trolls, dragons, and other formidable creatures, abandoning his spiritual being. This led to his downfall as the balrogs, once celestial beings, abandoned their celestial forms to become creatures of physical might and became killable beings. In contrast, Sauron is considered an exception. During the First Age, he did not shy away from retreat to preserve his true form. Only after the forging of the One Ring did he become obsessed with physical power, almost succeeding.

The True Nature of Demonic Power in Middle-earth

The notion that evil beings dissipate their inherent power is not entirely accurate. In Tolkien's universe, demonic beings like Morgoth, Sauron, and Balrogs cut themselves off from renewal when they choose evil. They cannot heal or regain strength, as their destructive desires cut them off from the Flame Imperishable, the force that renews life.

Unlike regular beings, Ainur, Valar, and Maiar do not experience an intrinsic drain of life energy over time. They gain and lose energy based on their actions. Evil Ainur can grow powerful in the material world through two primary methods:

1. Worship: By arranging for others to worship them, an evil Ainur can gain immense power. For example, Sauron's arrangement with the people of Númenor led to great power, even with human sacrifices. Such worship involves the giving of one's own life energy to someone else.

2. Creation of Magical Objects: By focusing their energy to create magical items, demonic beings can achieve great power. Morgoth created orcs and dragons to conquer, and Sauron forged the Ring, which allowed him to retain dominion in Mordor and create lands where only evil thrived.

Conclusion: Eternal Demons

Thus, it is indeed possible that beings like Morgoth, Sauron, and Balrogs could remain in the world until the end of time. Are the headlines we read every day sufficient evidence of this? The very existence of such demonic beings in the present times serves as a stark reminder of the powers they can wield, and their potential to endure.

Through their actions, the evil demonic beings of Middle-earth have shown that they are far from powerless. They possess the ability to transcend the limitations imposed by Eru's plan, leveraging worship and creation to sustain and even grow their power, making them formidable forces in the world of Arda.