Hope of the Wicked: Shall be Extinguished in Death
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The concept of the hope of the wicked being extinguished in death is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the ultimate futility and transience of the aspirations and expectations of those who live in opposition to God's will. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the stark contrast between the destinies of the righteous and the wicked.

Biblical References

1. Proverbs 10:28 · "The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish." This verse underscores the enduring joy and fulfillment that the righteous experience, rooted in their relationship with God. In contrast, the hopes of the wicked are temporary and ultimately lead to disappointment and destruction.

2. Job 8:13-14 · "Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish. His confidence is fragile; his security is a spider’s web." Bildad, one of Job's friends, speaks to the ephemeral nature of the wicked's hope. The imagery of a spider's web conveys the fragility and instability of their confidence and security, which cannot withstand the trials of life or the judgment of God.

3. Psalm 112:10 · "The wicked man will see and be grieved; he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the desires of the wicked will perish." This passage illustrates the ultimate frustration and despair that the wicked will face. Their desires and hopes, which are often rooted in selfishness and rebellion against God, will come to nothing.

4. Proverbs 11:7 · "When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes." This proverb succinctly captures the finality of death for the wicked. Unlike the righteous, who have the hope of eternal life, the wicked's hope is tied to their earthly existence and vanishes with their death.

5. Job 27:8 · "For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?" Job reflects on the hopelessness of those who live without God. The rhetorical question emphasizes that without a foundation in God, the wicked have no enduring hope beyond this life.

Theological Implications

The extinguishing of the hope of the wicked in death serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of aligning one's life with God's will. The Bible consistently teaches that true and lasting hope is found only in a relationship with God through faith and obedience. The wicked, who reject God's authority and pursue their own desires, ultimately find their hopes unfulfilled and their lives devoid of eternal significance.

This theme also serves as a call to repentance and a warning against complacency. It encourages individuals to examine their lives and ensure that their hopes and aspirations are grounded in the eternal promises of God rather than the fleeting pleasures and pursuits of this world.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to place their hope in God, who is faithful and just. By doing so, they can experience the joy and peace that come from knowing their future is secure in Him. This assurance stands in stark contrast to the fate of the wicked, whose hopes are extinguished in death. Christians are called to share this message of hope with others, inviting them to turn from their ways and embrace the life-giving hope found in Jesus Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 27:8
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he has gained, when God takes away his soul?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Departed Saints Fellow Servants with those yet on Earth.
... them." * If we understand this of the wicked, it will ... impenitent, why not as soon
as they shall have put ... that state of blessedness, in which you hope again to ...
/.../sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxvii departed saints fellow.htm

A Discourse On
... And void is their hope and their toils unprofitable ... Their wives are foolish, and
wicked are their children ... But children of adulterers shall not come to maturity ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii a discourse on.htm

The Way, the Truth, and the Life.
... as we see that to venture our eternal hope on His ... longer against our circumstances
or against our wicked nature we ... can say, "Because I live ye shall live also ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/ix the way the truth.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... death of a sinner, but that the wicked turn from ... to their transgressions; but that,
having hope of salvation ... His displeasure towards them; so shall they receive ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

Last Things
... believed: I think I love the Savior: I sometimes hope that I ... words: He says that
the day cometh when he shall separate the righteous from the wicked as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/last things.htm

The Doctrine of the Last Things.
... Paul's hope is not for a deliverence from the body, but the ... The same word, however,
qualifies the punishment of the wicked, eg, "these shall go away into ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the last.htm

Characters Will be Disclosed, and Justice Awarded.
... Woe unto the wicked, it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall
be given him ... of the sentence by which the last gleam of their hope will be ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvi characters will be.htm

Pope Anterus.
... given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace ... may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men: for ... the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/pope anterus.htm

Psalm CXVIII.
... the inward joy of the saints in their future hope. ... unto the end the intercourse of
the wicked, but "these ... the gates of the Lord: the righteous shall enter into ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxviii.htm

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
... God had visited his people, and sent unto them hope of deliverance ... as the same prophet
heretofore saith, "Let the wicked obtain mercy, yet shall he never ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /a sermon on isaiah xxvi.htm

Resources
What is the living hope in 1 Peter 1:3? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Christian's hope? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between faith and hope? | GotQuestions.org

Hope: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Hope

Hope in Christ

Hope in God

Hope in God's Promises

Hope in the Mercy of God

Hope is an Encouragement to Boldness in Preaching

Hope is the Work of the Holy Spirit

Hope of the Wicked

Hope of the Wicked is in Their Worldly Possessions

Hope of the Wicked: Shall be Extinguished in Death

Hope of the Wicked: Shall Make Them Ashamed

Hope of the Wicked: Shall Perish

Hope: A Better Hope Brought in by Christ

Hope: Abraham

Hope: Be Ready to Give an Answer Concerning

Hope: Blessed

Hope: Connected With Faith and Love

Hope: David

Hope: Encourage Others To

Hope: Encouragement To

Hope: General Scriptures Concerning

Hope: Gladdening

Hope: Good

Hope: Happiness of

Hope: Illustrated by a Helmet

Hope: Illustrated by an Anchor

Hope: Leads to Patience

Hope: Leads to Purity

Hope: Life is the Season of

Hope: Lively

Hope: Makes not Ashamed

Hope: Objects of a Resurrection

Hope: Objects of Christ's Glorious Appearing

Hope: Objects of Eternal Life

Hope: Objects of Glory

Hope: Objects of Righteousness

Hope: Objects of Salvation

Hope: Obtained Through: Faith

Hope: Obtained Through: Grace

Hope: Obtained Through: Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures

Hope: Obtained Through: The Gospel

Hope: Obtained Through: The Word

Hope: Paul

Hope: Saints are Called To

Hope: Saints: Have All, the Same

Hope: Saints: Have, in Death

Hope: Saints: Rejoice In

Hope: Saints: should Abound In

Hope: Saints: should Continue In

Hope: Saints: should Hold Fast

Hope: Saints: should Look for the Object of

Hope: Saints: should not be Ashamed of

Hope: Saints: should not be Moved From

Hope: Seek for Full Assurance of

Hope: Sure and Steadfast

Hope: The Result of Experience

Hope: The Wicked Have No Ground For

Hope: Thessalonians

Hope: Triumphs Over Difficulties

Related Terms

Hope (291 Occurrences)

Expectation (25 Occurrences)

Despair (23 Occurrences)

Expect (20 Occurrences)

Endurance (31 Occurrences)

Anchor (4 Occurrences)

Achor (5 Occurrences)

Encouragement (25 Occurrences)

Evil-doer (88 Occurrences)

Savior (60 Occurrences)

Sees (135 Occurrences)

Beheld (95 Occurrences)

Rely (31 Occurrences)

Threshes (1 Occurrence)

Realize (29 Occurrences)

Enjoy (68 Occurrences)

Disquieted (13 Occurrences)

Maschil (26 Occurrences)

Moanest (3 Occurrences)

Partake (19 Occurrences)

Perishes (14 Occurrences)

Plows (3 Occurrences)

Plowman (3 Occurrences)

Boldness (25 Occurrences)

Basing (7 Occurrences)

Consolation (23 Occurrences)

Assuredly (31 Occurrences)

Resting (117 Occurrences)

Disturbed (30 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Disappointed (69 Occurrences)

Rejoicing (90 Occurrences)

Perseverance (27 Occurrences)

Encouraged (37 Occurrences)

Sake (241 Occurrences)

Plow (11 Occurrences)

Comfort (130 Occurrences)

Eagerly (36 Occurrences)

Rejoice (259 Occurrences)

Subject (99 Occurrences)

Promised (150 Occurrences)

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)

Confidence (103 Occurrences)

Posterity (38 Occurrences)

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Assurance (16 Occurrences)

Regards (43 Occurrences)

Earnestly (78 Occurrences)

Steadfast (194 Occurrences)

Trust (201 Occurrences)

Calling (145 Occurrences)

Riches (118 Occurrences)

Safety (72 Occurrences)

Yahweh (6653 Occurrences)

Messiah (9 Occurrences)

Boast (86 Occurrences)

Sure (142 Occurrences)

Placing (44 Occurrences)

Visit (97 Occurrences)

Troubles (94 Occurrences)

Rising (162 Occurrences)

Charity (29 Occurrences)

Yours (226 Occurrences)

Servant (738 Occurrences)

Vast (54 Occurrences)

Treasured (20 Occurrences)

Tribes (141 Occurrences)

Rests (25 Occurrences)

Relied (10 Occurrences)

Expected (18 Occurrences)

Entertain (8 Occurrences)

Exulted (5 Occurrences)

Eager (43 Occurrences)

Enduring (25 Occurrences)

Depend (12 Occurrences)

Depending (8 Occurrences)

Desperate (8 Occurrences)

Hope of the Wicked is in Their Worldly Possessions
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