DESTRUCTION OF THE
WICKED
INTRODUCTION
Destruction of the wicked is a biblical fact, illustrated many times in God’s Word, with devastation becoming a reality unless repentance came into focus. Scripture reveals: The light of the wicked shall be put out and the spark of his fire shall not shine (Job 18:5).
We are witnessing an increase in the ungodliness and wickedness of mankind arising; as in the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit, in which the destruction of the wicked was noted.
Destruction of the Wicked
Evil Men and Seducers
The Apostle Paul in writing to Timothy, a young evangelist, revealed: All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution; with evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them (2 Timothy 3:12-14). The Apostle Peter addressed a similar problem in writing: Beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own steadfastness (2 Peter 3:17).
Great Tribulation
Destruction of the wicked is declared, then becomes a reality; if repentance is not sought, and it behooves one not to get caught up in the clutches of its embracement! The Prophet Malachi wrote: The day comes (the Great Tribulation), that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that comes shall burn them up, saith the Lord, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch (Malachi 4:1).
Jesus said: There shall be great tribulation (destruction of the wicked), such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, nor ever shall be. Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake (believers) those days shall be shortened (Matthew 24:21-22).
Avoid Pitfalls of Coming
Destruction
God’s Word continually expounds on the fact that a believer must not be caught up in events that will bring destruction to the wicked. The Apostle Paul wrote: What agreement has the temple of God with idols (false gods)? You are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (2 Corinthians 6:16-17). It is unfortunate that some churches have deleted the word “sanctification” (being set apart unto God) from their vocabulary! The Apostle Paul wrote: You are sanctified (set apart), you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11)!
Fall of Babylon
The fall of Babylon is foretold in the Book of Revelations, as revealed by the Apostle John: I saw an angel come down from heaven, having great power (authority); and the earth was lightened (illuminated) with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong (loud) voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful (hatred) bird.
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (unfaithfulness), and the kings of the earth (rulers) have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are (have become) rich through the abundance of her delicacies (luxury) (Revelation 18:1-3). What nation today would fit this descriptive narrative in a modern day Babylon setting?
Destruction not a
Myth
The Apostle John wrote: I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her (Babylon) my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues (destruction of the wicked); for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities (sinfulness) (Revelation 18:4-5).
Therefore her plagues (destruction of the wicked) come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judges her (Revelation 18:8). Destruction of the wicked is not a myth; but a reality, that will be at God’s hand!
Reserved unto Fire
The Apostle Peter refers to the destruction of the wicked, in writing: Whereby the world that then was (pre-Flood days of Noah), being overflowed with water, perished; but the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against (until) the day of judgment, and perdition (destruction) of the ungodly (wicked) men (2 Peter 3:6-7).
For those who believe they are escaping such devastation, Apostle Peter declared: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (destruction of the wicked), as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Coming Destruction
Apostle Peter declared: The day of the Lord (destruction of the wicked) will come as a thief in the night in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness (2 Peter 3:10-11). It was noted that the day of the Lord refers to the return of Christ. The Apostle Peter urged his readers to look beyond this present world to the new heavens and new earth wherein dwells righteousness.
He wrote: Nevertheless we (the believer), according to his (God’s) promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein righteousness dwells. Seeing you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him (the Lord) in peace, without spot (being set apart), and blameless (2 Peter 3:13-14).
Apathy in the World
Prior to Destruction
Jesus said: As it was in the days of Noah (pre-Flood days), so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man (Jesus’ return); they did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark (ark of safety), and the flood came and destroyed them all (destruction of the wicked) (Luke 17:26-27).
It
was noted that apathy in the world at large must not damper one’s diligence in
expecting deliverance and the world’s judgment. Wholehearted devotion to God, as opposed to loving possessions of life
itself, will be the only refuge in that day (destruction of the wicked).
References Concerning
the Wicked
Bible references concerning the wicked: The men of Sodom were wicked, and sinners (sinful) before the Lord exceedingly (Genesis 13:13). The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God; God is not in his thoughts (Psalm 10:4). The wicked shall be cut off (destruction of the wicked) from the earth (land), and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it (Proverbs 2:22).
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried (refined); but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise (believers) shall understand (Daniel 12:10). Then shall you (the Lord) return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God, and him that serves him not (Malachi 3:18).
Encouragement for
Believers
The Apostle Paul wrote: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might; put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. We wrestle not against flesh and blood (humanity), but against principles (rulers), against powers (authorities), against the rulers (world-rulers) of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings) in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil (wicked) days, and having done all to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13). The whole armor of God consists of: Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and Word of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!
Apostle Paul noted: The weapons of our (the believer’s) warfare are not carnal (of the flesh), but mighty though God to the tearing down of strongholds; casting down (destroying) imaginations (false arguments), and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). God has amply equips His people to fight the good fight of faith!
Appeal Towards Repentance
An appeal towards repentance of wickedness was made by God to King Solomon: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14).
But if you turn away, and forsake my statues and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; then will I pluck you up by the roots out of my land which I have given you; and will cast you out of my sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all nations (2 Chronicles 7:19-20).W
While this promise was originally given to King Solomon regarding the people of Israel, it is certainly applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith. Destruction of the wicked is assured; but through repentance forgiveness is extended by God whether it be a nation or an individual! Today, such is granted through the Savior of the World, the Lord Jesus Christ!
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