Topical Bible: The Death of the Wicked: Illustrated

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The concept of the death of the wicked is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the consequences of living a life in opposition to God's commandments. This theme is not only a physical death but also a spiritual separation from God, often depicted as eternal punishment.

Old Testament Illustrations

1. The Flood (Genesis 6-7): The account of Noah and the flood serves as a powerful illustration of the death of the wicked. Humanity's pervasive wickedness led God to cleanse the earth with a flood, sparing only Noah and his family. Genesis 6:5 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."

2. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19): The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is another vivid example. These cities were notorious for their sinfulness, and God rained down sulfur and fire upon them as a judgment. Genesis 19:24-25 recounts, "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 plagues culminating in the death of the firstborn in Egypt illustrate the consequences of Pharaoh's hardened heart and refusal to heed God's command. Exodus 12:29 describes, "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn of the livestock."

Wisdom Literature

1. Proverbs: The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. Proverbs 11:7 states, "When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes, and the hope of his strength vanishes."

2. Psalms: The Psalms often reflect on the temporary prosperity of the wicked and their ultimate demise. Psalm 37:20 declares, "But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the fields. They will vanish—like smoke they will vanish away."

Prophetic Warnings

1. Isaiah: The prophet Isaiah warns of the judgment awaiting the wicked. Isaiah 3:11 proclaims, "Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done."

2. Ezekiel: Ezekiel emphasizes personal responsibility and the consequences of wickedness. Ezekiel 18:23 asks, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?"

New Testament Illustrations

1. The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31): Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates the eternal consequences of a life lived in selfishness and disregard for God. The rich man, upon death, finds himself in torment, while Lazarus is comforted. Luke 16:23-24 describes, "In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'"

2. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11): The sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira serve as a stark warning against deceit and hypocrisy within the early church. Acts 5:5 recounts, "On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened."

Eschatological Warnings

1. Revelation: The book of Revelation vividly portrays the final judgment and the fate of the wicked. Revelation 21:8 warns, "But to the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."

The death of the wicked, as illustrated in these biblical narratives and teachings, underscores the seriousness of sin and the ultimate justice of God. These accounts serve as both a warning and a call to repentance, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's life with God's will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 12:20
But God said to him, You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 16:22,23
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Faith Illustrated
... Faith Illustrated. ... to-day, to have and to hold through life and in death, in tempest ...
When silly women put their trust in yet more silly and wicked priests, they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/faith illustrated.htm

The Power of Christ Illustrated by the Resurrection
... The Power of Christ Illustrated by the Resurrection. ... they go not back to their former
death in sin ... so fallen, debased, depraved, and wilfully wicked, that Jesus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the power of christ illustrated.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... "The transgression of the wicked saith within ... II. Secondly, THE NATURE OF THIS
CONSECRATION as illustrated in this ... spoil the vines be hunted to death, and your ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

According to which principle or hypothesis all the objections ...
... that Christ should come, that by his death and sufferings ... formed in all men, or in
the wicked: for that ... order to salvation towards all men, illustrated to my ...
/.../proposition vi according to which.htm

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha ...
... APOCRYPHA, WHICH ARE QUOTED, OR INCIDENTALLY ILLUSTRATED, IN THE ... cause, and count
us of all wicked men the ... not appalled by the terrors of death, and therefore ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/of passages from the holy.htm

The Christian Rejoicing in the views of Death and Judgment.
... But your prospects reach, not only beyond death, but beyond ... I come quickly," in the
sense illustrated before; and ... When he shall "put away all the wicked of the ...
/.../chapter xxix the christian rejoicing.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... Confession Of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr ... two persons are lying under sentence
of death, for murders ... sir, I never did anything so wicked." Each precept ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... Justification by Faith"Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness. ... over the victim whose
wounds and death ratify the ... hard; and if we were not very wicked this would ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

For Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance to Salvation, not to be ...
... is the case with the devils and wicked spirits in ... of itself, is mean and miserable,
and worketh death. ... You see the principle illustrated in sinners, who, after ...
/.../lectures to professing christians/for godly sorrow worketh repentance.htm

Of the Lord's Passion, and that it was Foretold.
... This event providentially illustrated the extreme wickedness of ... for men deserving
the scourge; wicked men. ... Another reading is "necaverunt," they put to death. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xviii of the lords passion.htm