Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the concept of justice is deeply intertwined with the fate of the wicked. The Scriptures consistently portray God as a righteous judge who will ultimately banish the wicked from His presence. This theme is evident throughout both the Old and New Testaments, where divine justice is depicted as both a present reality and a future certainty.Old Testament Context The Old Testament frequently addresses the fate of the wicked, emphasizing their eventual banishment as a consequence of their actions. In the Psalms, the psalmist declares, "For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish" (Psalm 1:6). This verse underscores the ultimate separation between the righteous and the wicked, with the latter facing destruction. Proverbs also speaks to the fate of the wicked, stating, "The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous" (Proverbs 3:33). Here, the banishment of the wicked is portrayed as a divine curse, contrasting with the blessings reserved for the righteous. The prophets further elaborate on this theme. In Isaiah, the prophet warns, "But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and muck. 'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked'" (Isaiah 57:20-21). The imagery of a restless sea conveys the turmoil and instability that accompany the wicked, ultimately leading to their exclusion from God's peace. New Testament Context The New Testament continues to affirm the banishment of the wicked as a key aspect of divine justice. Jesus Himself speaks of this in the parable of the sheep and the goats, where He describes the final judgment: "Then He will say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'" (Matthew 25:41). This passage vividly illustrates the separation and banishment of the wicked from God's presence. The apostle Paul also addresses the fate of the wicked, writing to the Thessalonians, "They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might" (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Here, the banishment is described as eternal separation, highlighting the severity and permanence of divine justice. In the book of Revelation, the final judgment is depicted with stark imagery: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). The banishment of the wicked is portrayed as a second death, emphasizing the ultimate and irreversible nature of their fate. Theological Implications The banishment of the wicked serves as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and justice. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance and faith in Christ for salvation. The consistent biblical witness to the banishment of the wicked calls believers to live righteously and to proclaim the gospel, warning others of the coming judgment and the hope found in Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 59:14And judgment is turned away backward, and justice stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Of the Crimes of the Wicked, and the Torture Inflicted on the ... "Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?" Whether a Judge May Condemn a Man who is not Accused? The Knowledge of God Stifled or Corrupted, Ignorantly or ... Love Worketh no Ill to his Neighbor; Therefore Love is the ... 2 Timothy i. 13-18 Psalm 101:2. CM A Psalm for a Master of a Family. Psalm 101 a Psalm for a Master of a Family. The Folly of Slander. Part 2. Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book. Resources What does it mean that God is just? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is ultimate reconciliation? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about injustice? | GotQuestions.org Justice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Justice: Brings Its own Reward Justice: Christ, an Example of Justice: General Scriptures Concerning Justice: God: Displeased With the Want of Justice: God: Gives Wisdom to Execute Justice: God: Sets the Highest Value On Justice: Saints should Always Do Justice: Saints should Pray for Wisdom to Execute Justice: Saints should Receive Instruction In Justice: Saints should Study the Principles of Justice: Saints should Take Pleasure in Doing Justice: Saints should Teach Others to Do Justice: Specially Required in Rulers Justice: The Wicked: Afflict Those Who Act With Justice: The Wicked: Call not For Justice: The Wicked: Pass Over Justice: To be Done in Buying and Selling Justice: To be Done in Executing Judgment Justice: To be Done: To Servants Justice: To be Done: To the Fatherless and Widows Justice: To be Done: To the Poor The Justice of God is a Part of his Character The Justice of God: Acknowledge The Justice of God: Declared to be without Respect of Persons The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Impartial The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Incomparable The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Incorruptible The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Plenteous The Justice of God: Declared to Be: The Habitation of his Throne The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Undeviating The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Unfailing The Justice of God: Denied by the Ungodly The Justice of God: Exhibited in all his Ways The Justice of God: Exhibited in Forgiving Sins The Justice of God: Exhibited in His Government The Justice of God: Exhibited in His Judgments The Justice of God: Exhibited in Redemption The Justice of God: Exhibited in The Final Judgment The Justice of God: Not to be Sinned Against Related Terms |
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