The term "The Collapse" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, it can be understood as a thematic concept that appears throughout Scripture, often symbolizing the downfall of nations, cities, or individuals due to sin, disobedience, or divine judgment. This entry explores various instances and interpretations of collapse within the biblical narrative.

1. The Fall of Man:

The first significant collapse in the Bible is the Fall of Man, as recorded in Genesis 3. Adam and Eve's disobedience to God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil led to the collapse of their perfect relationship with God and the introduction of sin into the world. Genesis 3:6-7 states, "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves."

2. The Tower of Babel:

The collapse of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 is another example of human pride leading to downfall. The people sought to build a tower reaching the heavens to make a name for themselves, defying God's command to fill the earth. In response, God confused their language and scattered them across the earth. Genesis 11:8-9 records, "So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it is called Babel, for there the LORD confused the language of the whole world, and from there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth."

3. The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah:

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah experienced a catastrophic collapse due to their wickedness and sin. In Genesis 19, God rained down sulfur and fire upon these cities as a judgment. Genesis 19:24-25 states, "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground."

4. The Fall of Jericho:

The collapse of the walls of Jericho is a significant event in the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites. In Joshua 6, God instructed the Israelites to march around the city for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls fell after the people shouted and the priests blew their trumpets. Joshua 6:20 describes, "So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it."

5. The Fall of Jerusalem:

The collapse of Jerusalem and the destruction of the First and Second Temples are pivotal events in biblical history. The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC due to the Israelites' persistent idolatry and disobedience. 2 Kings 25:9 recounts, "He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building." The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, as prophesied by Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 24:2).

6. The Fall of Babylon:

The prophetic collapse of Babylon is depicted in the Book of Revelation as a symbol of the ultimate defeat of evil and the establishment of God's kingdom. Revelation 18:2 declares, "And he cried out in a mighty voice: 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.'"

7. Personal and Spiritual Collapse:

The Bible also addresses personal and spiritual collapse, often resulting from turning away from God. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 illustrates the collapse of a young man's life due to reckless living, followed by his repentance and restoration.

Throughout Scripture, the theme of collapse serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of obedience to God. It underscores the biblical truth that while human endeavors may fail, God's purposes and kingdom endure forever.