Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5295 destruction

The demolition or eradication of buildings, peoples or individuals. Since God is the Creator and sustainer of all things, wanton ruin is contrary to his will as his original purposes cannot be fulfilled. God will bring about the final destruction of all that is evil in the last judgment.

God disapproves of wanton destruction

Of human life

Exodus 20:13 pp Deuteronomy 5:17 See also Genesis 4:8-12; Genesis 9:5-6; 2 Samuel 12:7-10

Of the world in general

Revelation 11:18

As God's representative on earth human beings are to be good stewards of the creation. They are not to exploit or waste the world, but to care for it:

Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 20:19-20

Of spiritual life

Romans 14:15 See also 1 Corinthians 8:9-11; 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 2 Peter 2:1

Agents of destruction

Satan

Job 1:12-19; John 8:44; John 10:10

The wicked

Psalm 55:11; Proverbs 1:10-12; Luke 13:1-3

Nature

Matthew 6:19; Luke 13:4-5

God himself brings destruction on the wicked

God decrees destruction for sinners

Psalm 37:38 See also Genesis 6:5-7; Psalm 5:6; Psalm 46:8; Isaiah 34:2; Amos 1:3-8; Amos 2:1-3; Luke 3:9; 1 John 3:8

By the forces of nature

Genesis 7:4 See also Genesis 19:24-25; Deuteronomy 28:15-24; Psalm 48:7; Ezekiel 5:16; Ezekiel 13:13; Luke 17:29; Revelation 6:12-14

By means of angels

1 Corinthians 10:10 See also Exodus 12:23; 2 Samuel 24:15-17 pp 1 Chronicles 21:14-17; 1 Chronicles 21:12; 2 Kings 19:35 pp 2 Chronicles 32:21 pp Isaiah 37:36; Acts 12:23; Revelation 7:2-3

By means of human beings

Deuteronomy 7:16 See also Numbers 21:3; Deuteronomy 2:34; Deuteronomy 3:6; Deuteronomy 28:47-48; Joshua 6:21; Joshua 8:26; Joshua 11:20; Jeremiah 25:9

Destruction in the final judgment

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 See also Malachi 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 17:8,11; Revelation 18:21; Revelation 20:10,14

Destruction is sudden

1 Thessalonians 5:3 See also Proverbs 6:15; Proverbs 24:21-22; Proverbs 29:1; Ecclesiastes 9:12; Isaiah 30:13; Isaiah 47:11; Jeremiah 15:8; 2 Peter 3:10

Warnings against the way of destruction

Matthew 7:13 See also Joshua 6:18; 1 Timothy 6:9

God keeps his people from destruction

Exodus 12:13 See also Psalm 91:9-10; Romans 8:35-39

God's kingdom is indestructible

Hebrews 12:28 See also Psalm 46:5; Psalm 125:1; Daniel 2:44

There will be no destruction in the world to come

Isaiah 11:9 See also Daniel 7:27; Revelation 21:3-5; Revelation 22:15

See also

1310  God as judge
2375  kingdom of God
4110  angels
4120  Satan
5359  justice
5508  ruins
5605  warfare
5979  waste
6142  decay
6510  salvation
6702  peace, destruction
9510  hell