Topical Bible: Wicked (People): Death of

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The concept of the death of the wicked is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the justice and holiness of God. Scripture consistently portrays the death of the wicked as a consequence of their rebellion against God and their refusal to live according to His righteous standards.

In the Old Testament, the death of the wicked is often depicted as a direct result of divine judgment. Proverbs 11:7 states, "When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes." This verse underscores the futility of the wicked's pursuits and the ultimate end of their ambitions. The death of the wicked is not merely a physical cessation of life but also a spiritual reality where their hopes and plans come to nothing.

The Psalms frequently address the fate of the wicked, contrasting it with the destiny of the righteous. Psalm 37:20 declares, "But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the fields. They will vanish—like smoke they will vanish away." This imagery emphasizes the transient nature of the wicked's existence and the certainty of their demise.

The prophets also speak to the death of the wicked as a manifestation of God's justice. Ezekiel 18:23 reveals God's heart, stating, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Would I not prefer he turn from his ways and live?" Here, the emphasis is on God's desire for repentance and life rather than death, highlighting His mercy even in judgment.

In the New Testament, the theme continues with a focus on eternal consequences. Jesus speaks of the final judgment in Matthew 25:46, saying, "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." The death of the wicked is not only a physical end but also an eternal separation from God, described as eternal punishment.

The Apostle Paul reiterates this in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The death of the wicked is the result of sin, contrasting with the gift of eternal life offered through Jesus Christ.

The book of Revelation provides a vivid depiction of the ultimate fate of the wicked. Revelation 21:8 warns, "But to the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." This passage describes the final and eternal separation from God, known as the second death.

In summary, the death of the wicked in the Bible is portrayed as both a physical and spiritual reality, resulting from their rejection of God's ways. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the justice of God, while also pointing to His desire for repentance and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 49:14
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 73:4
For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Letter ix. Religious Culture and Duty.
... and rightly loves and enjoys this life, and rightly and naturally dreads death. ... of
a literal lake of fire and brimstone, into which wicked people would be cast ...
/.../letter ix religious culture and.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To the Clergy and People Abiding in Spain ...
... of the people either the crimes of the wicked may be ... be chosen in the presence of
the people, who have ... which commit such things are worthy of death, not only ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxvii to the clergy.htm

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... the revolt of the ten tribes, the death of Eli's ... against a hypocritical nation, and
against the people of my ... not that he intends to teach wicked and obstinate ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm

Epistle Lv. To the People of Thibaris, Exhorting to Martyrdom.
... sake are innocent, innocent infancy was put to death for His ... to be crowned in the
sight of the people, and in ... quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one; and ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lv to the people.htm

Listen, My Brethren, to Death, Mocking the Evil One: that Caused ...
... Lot who overcame anger which is, thy likeness, Death: to his ... against Moses and Elijah,
didst stir the people!"12 ... of the sea choked, the senses of the wicked! ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lvii listen my brethren.htm

Monday in Whitsun-Week. Would God that all the Lord's People were ...
... Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put
His ... That o'er us death and sorrow spreads; ... Thy power, convert the wicked now,. ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/monday in whitsun-week would god.htm

Jeremy Taylor -- Christ's Advent to Judgment
... it to be in that day when the wicked are to ... of vengeance, for the Lord shall judge
His people, and repent ... as is their appetite, and bring certain death to all ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/jeremy taylor christs advent.htm

Article I: of God.
... are in Christ although by nature it is a matter worthy of death where it ... Again, we
experience every day that it hurts us to see wicked people in good fortune ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 1 article i of.htm

The Historical and Spiritual Causes of the Death of Christ
... were these three, prejudice on the part of the people, a dead ... Father in Me." The
real causes of His Death were the definite sins of lawless, of wicked men. ...
/.../beibitz/gloria crucis/ii the historical and spiritual.htm

The Minute Prescriptions of the Law Meant to Keep the People ...
... of the Law Meant to Keep the People Dependent on ... 2926] avoid contact with the wicked:
[2927] "let ... His mercy, to deliver their souls from death," even eternal ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xix the minute prescriptions of.htm