Rebellion against God is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the persistent nature of human disobedience and the consequences that follow. Those who engage in rebellion against the divine authority often continue in their defiance, despite warnings and opportunities for repentance.

Old Testament Examples

1. The Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites, after being delivered from Egypt, frequently rebelled against God during their journey through the wilderness. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, they persisted in their disobedience. Numbers 14:22-23 states, "not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times—not one shall see the land that I swore to give their fathers."

2. Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and others, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-given authority. Despite clear evidence of God's chosen leadership, they persisted in their defiance, resulting in their destruction. Numbers 16:32-33 recounts, "And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly."

3. The Kings of Israel and Judah: Many kings of Israel and Judah continued in rebellion against God, leading their nations into idolatry and sin. Despite prophetic warnings, they persisted in their ways. 2 Kings 17:13-14 highlights this pattern: "Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, 'Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to all the law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.' But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God."

New Testament Insights

1. The Pharisees and Religious Leaders: The religious leaders of Jesus' time often resisted His teachings and authority, despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His words. Their rebellion was marked by a refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah. In Matthew 23:37 , Jesus laments, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!"

2. The Rejection of the Gospel: The New Testament also speaks of those who persist in rebellion by rejecting the Gospel message. In Romans 1:21-23 , Paul describes the persistence of unbelief: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."

Characteristics of Persistent Rebellion

· Hardened Hearts: Those who persist in rebellion often develop hardened hearts, resistant to God's truth and correction. Hebrews 3:12-13 warns, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

· Deception and Pride: Rebellion is frequently accompanied by self-deception and pride, leading individuals to trust in their own understanding rather than God's wisdom. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

· Continual Sin: Persistent rebellion often manifests in a lifestyle of continual sin, as individuals reject God's commandments and pursue their own desires. Romans 2:5 warns, "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed."

Consequences of Rebellion

The Scriptures consistently warn of the dire consequences of rebellion against God. Persistent disobedience leads to spiritual death, separation from God, and ultimately, divine judgment. Galatians 6:7-8 cautions, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."Deuteronomy 9:7,24
Remember, and forget not, how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that you did depart out of the land of Egypt, until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Unbeliever's Unhappy Condition
... a meditator, if men are so good that they do not ... You tell God to his face that he
lies unto ... Oh, sirs, this pride of yours is an arrogant rebellion against God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the unbelievers unhappy condition.htm

Limiting God
... Of this high treason and rebellion he thinks nothing ... prey; therefore, be thou on
thy watch-tower against him, and ... me." They read in the Word of God that "Jesus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/limiting god.htm

Obedience Entire.
... a sinner justified while indulging in rebellion against God! ... of perfection of aim
or intention can be accepted of God. ... But this is what we hold, and they deny. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture x obedience entire.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... had said, Come anxious sinner, or guilty sinner, or ... sentiments of some hymn, to excuse
themselves in rebellion against God. ... to thee as well as they know how. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted.
... It was, that even against their will they might understand ... transfer the blame of
their wickedness to God, when it ... that the whole blame of the rebellion lies in ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the arguments usually.htm

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... cherish the enmity of their hearts against God, and they ... in the universe, at war
with all God's creatures, and ... In the rage of their rebellion, they are bent on ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

Every Thing Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable.
... heart is perverse, and naturally indulges in rebellion against the Divine ... believers
may expect as a blessing from God, that the better the use they make of ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 every thing proceeding.htm

Against "The Roaring Lions"
... less true that they were in rebellion against her representatives ... would not that
the servants of God should be ... Surely, we are not against depriving the guilty ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv against the roaring lions.htm

The Necessity and Effect of Union.
... a blessing, because they take the sinners part against God. ... is a rebel, and obstinate
in his rebellion"so obstinate ... so as to prevail with God, they must be ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvi the necessity and.htm

Mr. Evil-Questioning Tried and Executed
... to raise the human race in proud rebellion against their Lord ... is a world to come,
though you argue against it ... You are conscious that there is a God, though you ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/mr evil-questioning tried and executed.htm

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Rebellion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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