Topical Bible: The Call of God: Temporal Judgments

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Introduction

The concept of temporal judgments in the Bible refers to the divine interventions and consequences that occur within the earthly realm as a response to human actions, particularly sin and disobedience. These judgments serve as both a warning and a call to repentance, reflecting God's holiness, justice, and mercy. Throughout Scripture, temporal judgments are depicted as a means by which God communicates His will and calls His people back to righteousness.

Old Testament Examples

1. The Flood (Genesis 6-9): The narrative of Noah and the Flood is one of the earliest examples of temporal judgment. Humanity's widespread wickedness prompted God to cleanse the earth with a flood, sparing only Noah and his family. Genesis 6:5-7 states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart. So the LORD said, 'I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.'"

2. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19): The destruction of these cities serves as a stark example of God's temporal judgment against sin. Their grievous sins led to divine retribution, with only Lot and his family escaping. Genesis 19:24-25 records, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."

3. The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12): The ten plagues were judgments against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, demonstrating God's power and sovereignty. These plagues were designed to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Exodus 7:4-5 states, "But Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My divisions—My people the Israelites—from the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out My hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them."

New Testament Examples

1. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11): In the early church, Ananias and Sapphira faced immediate judgment for lying to the Holy Spirit about the proceeds from the sale of their property. Acts 5:3-5 recounts, "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!' On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened."

2. Herod's Death (Acts 12:20-23): King Herod Agrippa I faced divine judgment for his pride and acceptance of blasphemous praise. Acts 12:23 describes, "Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died."

Purpose and Significance

Temporal judgments serve multiple purposes in the biblical narrative. They act as a deterrent against sin, a call to repentance, and a demonstration of God's justice and holiness. These judgments remind believers of the seriousness of sin and the need for obedience to God's commands. They also underscore the reality of divine intervention in human affairs, affirming God's active role in guiding and correcting His people.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, temporal judgments highlight the balance between God's justice and mercy. While they serve as a warning of the consequences of sin, they also offer an opportunity for repentance and restoration. The call of God through temporal judgments is ultimately a call to return to Him, to seek His forgiveness, and to live in accordance with His will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 28:12
To whom he said, This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 6:16,19
Thus said the LORD, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 35:17
Therefore thus said the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken to them, but they have not heard; and I have called to them, but they have not answered.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 7:12-14
Yes, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts has sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Intercourse of God and his Friend
... The whirlwind of temporal judgments makes no distinctions between the ... is crowned
by 'henceforth I call you not ... taught the great truth, that God's friends are ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the intercourse of god and.htm

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
... thy favour and loving-kindness, whereby thou dost with thy temporal judgments draw
me ... and contention, publish it before witnesses, that, if God call for thee ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a prayer when one begins.htm

Imitation of Christ
... CHAPTER XVIII That temporal miseries are to be borne ... CHAPTER XXII Of the recollection
of God's manifold benefits. ... when tribulation cometh we must call upon and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... out.' That includes all which men call, in a ... that is eternal, even the faithfulness
of God, dwells amid ... itself through, the things that are temporal, the flying ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... had also sent all his servants the prophets, to call them to ... yet Jonadab had been
obeyed, and God had been ... and cut them off from many temporal enjoyments, if ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

"The Prophets of God Helping Them"
... repeated instruction sent them"that their prosperity, both temporal and spiritual ...
moved forward by faith in response to the call of God's messengers, and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 46 the prophets of.htm

Letter ccxx. (AD 427. )
... [I beseech you, then, to call to remembrance ... of those wicked and unjust men whom
God uses as ... justly employs their malice to inflict temporal judgments on others ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter ccxx a d 427.htm

The Confession of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. AD 1829 ...
... calleth (and who obey the call)' In Sect ... therein: [2203] whereby they incur God's
displeasure, [2204 ... others, [2209] and bring temporal judgments upon themselves. ...
/.../the confession of the cumberland.htm

The Last Judgment. By the Rev. John Welch, AD 1570-1622.
... the sword, the famine, the pestilence, these temporal judgments, be common to ... from
their sins; and they shall call his name Emmanuel, that is, God with us ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /the last judgment by the.htm

Index of Subjects.
... 393]364; how saved, [394]372; their call, [395]469 ... Judgments, temporal, use of,
[541]351; fires had on the final ... their object, [553]423; an aid to God's law, [554 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm