Topical Bible: Glory of the Wicked: Ends in Destruction

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The concept of the "glory of the wicked" is a recurring theme in the Bible, illustrating the transient and ultimately destructive nature of the prosperity and honor that the wicked may experience in this life. This theme serves as a sobering reminder of the moral and spiritual order established by God, where righteousness is ultimately rewarded and wickedness is inevitably punished.

Biblical References:

1. Job 20:5-7 : "the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary? Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds, he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’" This passage from the book of Job highlights the fleeting nature of the wicked's success. Despite their temporary triumph and joy, their end is one of oblivion and disgrace.

2. Psalm 37:35-36 : "I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found." The psalmist observes the temporary flourishing of the wicked, comparing it to a tree that seems firmly established. However, their ultimate disappearance underscores the futility of their apparent success.

3. Proverbs 11:7 : "When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes." This proverb emphasizes the ultimate futility of the wicked's aspirations. Their death marks the end of their hopes and the collapse of their perceived strength.

4. Proverbs 24:19-20 : "Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished." Here, the reader is advised not to envy the wicked, as their future is bleak. The imagery of an extinguished lamp symbolizes the end of their influence and prosperity.

5. Isaiah 14:11 : "Your pomp has been brought down to Sheol, along with the music of your harps. Maggots are your bed and worms your blanket." This vivid imagery from Isaiah portrays the downfall of the proud and wicked, whose former glory is reduced to decay and degradation.

6. Habakkuk 2:13-14 : "Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the peoples will fuel the fire, and the nations exhaust themselves in vain? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea." The prophet Habakkuk contrasts the futile efforts of the wicked with the ultimate triumph of God's glory, which will fill the earth.

Theological Implications:

The biblical narrative consistently portrays the glory of the wicked as temporary and ultimately leading to destruction. This serves as a warning against the allure of unrighteous gain and the pursuit of worldly success at the expense of spiritual integrity. The Scriptures affirm that God's justice will prevail, and the apparent prosperity of the wicked is but a fleeting illusion.

The theme also encourages believers to maintain faith and patience, trusting in God's timing and justice. The righteous are assured that their reward is eternal, while the wicked, despite their momentary glory, face inevitable judgment and destruction. This dichotomy underscores the moral order established by God, where true glory is found in righteousness and obedience to His will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 5:14
Therefore hell has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoices, shall descend into it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ's Work of Destruction and Deliverance. Rev. John H. James.
... sympathy resulting therefrom,"these and similar ends were contemplated ... the power
of the air, that wicked one that ... only have been a change "from glory to glory ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/christs work of destruction and.htm

The Wicked Husbandmen.
... the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it ... broken off in the
midst,"left a glory of the Lord unrevealed, and a terror to wicked men unspoken ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xi the wicked husbandmen.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... a celebrated saying of Solomon, "It is the glory of God ... created for one or other
of these ends, we say ... and ignoble body, nay, even to the wicked and rebellious ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

The Eternal Punishment of the Wicked Reconciled with the Goodness ...
... being,"the never-ending torments of the wicked in another ... not at all consider the
great ends, or final ... were connected with the majesty and glory of God's ...
/.../chapter iv the eternal punishment.htm

Desolation of the Earth.
... "A noise shall come even to the ends of the ... At the coming of Christ the wicked are
blotted from the ... of His mouth, and destroyed by the brightness of His glory. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /41 desolation of the earth.htm

The Two Paths
... poets has it, 'the path of duty is the way of glory,' and those ... the contrasted ends
of these two paths ... you go to Him and cry, 'See if there be any wicked way in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the two paths.htm

Desolation of the Earth
... "A noise shall come even to the ends of the ... At the coming of Christ the wicked are
blotted from the ... of His mouth and destroyed by the brightness of His glory. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 41 desolation of the.htm

Micah
... and Jerusalem, the wicked capitals of wicked kingdoms, i.1 ... being mercenary and
time-serving, and ends with the ... that the fine picture of the glory and importance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/micah.htm

The General Service to the Venerated and vivifying Cross.
... All the ends of the world have seen the salvation of ... subjugation of the body, cross
is the glory of souls ... is the overthrow andcaptivation of the wicked and of ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter iii the general service.htm

A Song of Deliverance
... God, so is Thy praise unto the ends of the ... passing beyond these introductory thoughts
of the glory of Zion ... tyrant's standard were used, with the wicked craft of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a song of deliverance.htm