Topical Bible: The Punishment of the Wicked: No Combination Avails Against

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The concept of divine justice and the inevitable punishment of the wicked is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Scripture consistently affirms that no alliance, scheme, or combination of forces can thwart the righteous judgment of God against those who persist in wickedness.

Divine Sovereignty and Justice

The Bible emphasizes God's sovereignty and His ultimate authority over all creation. In Isaiah 46:10, God declares, "I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’" This passage underscores that God's plans, including His judgments, are unassailable and will be fulfilled regardless of human opposition.

The Futility of Human Schemes

Scripture illustrates the futility of human efforts to escape divine judgment. In Proverbs 21:30, it is written, "No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel can prevail against the LORD." This verse highlights the impotence of human wisdom and strategies when set against the divine will. Similarly, Psalm 2:1-4 portrays the nations conspiring against the Lord and His Anointed, only for God to respond with laughter, emphasizing the absurdity of their rebellion.

Examples from Biblical Narratives

Throughout biblical history, there are numerous examples where individuals or groups attempted to resist God's judgment, only to face inevitable consequences. The account of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 illustrates humanity's attempt to defy God through collective effort, resulting in their dispersion and the confounding of their language. This narrative serves as a testament to the futility of human endeavors against divine decree.

Another poignant example is found in the account of Pharaoh during the Exodus. Despite multiple plagues and warnings, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, and his attempts to resist God's command to let the Israelites go ultimately led to the destruction of his army in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:26-28).

The Certainty of Judgment

The New Testament reaffirms the certainty of divine judgment upon the wicked. In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9, Paul writes, "After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." This passage underscores the inevitability of punishment for those who reject God and His gospel.

The Inescapability of Divine Justice

Revelation 6:15-17 vividly describes the inescapability of divine wrath: "Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?'" This apocalyptic imagery reinforces the message that no status, wealth, or power can shield one from God's righteous judgment.

Conclusion

The Bible consistently teaches that the punishment of the wicked is certain and unavoidable. No combination of human wisdom, power, or alliances can prevail against the sovereign will of God. The Scriptures call for repentance and submission to God's authority, emphasizing that His justice will ultimately be executed upon those who persist in wickedness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 11:21
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Preface.
... Salvation, Miracles, Inspiration, Prophecy, Heaven and Hell, Eternal punishment
and a ... other book; that it is inspired in no other sense ... That wicked," or rather ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/preface.htm

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
... to deprecate his wrath, inflict punishment on ourselves ... by error and superstition
are of no weight with ... repelling the calumnies of the wicked against those who ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 of vows the.htm

In the Fifteenth Year of Tiberius C??sar and under the Pontificate ...
... profane device by which apostate and wicked Jews are ... as regards the baptism of water
no preposition is ... The question of eternal punishment' will be discussed in ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi in the fifteenth.htm

The Theology of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
... constant appeal is to Scripture; and he avails himself freely ... of the divine unity;
there is no suggestion of ... be done in the discovery or combination of passages ...
/.../chapter ii the theology of st.htm

Augustin's Part in the Controversy.
... their inherited sin, and so pass into eternal punishment. ... broken up the whole band
of wicked conspirators against ... There is, indeed, no direct proof that it was ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/iii augustins part in the.htm

Formula Concordi??.
... Proverbs 17:15): 'He that justifieth the wicked, and he ... not, as a slave, from fear
of punishment, but from ... For men may incur damnation no less by an Epicurean ...
/.../schaff/the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/formula concordiae.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... so as a matter of course he shall receive punishment for neglect ... of this fire to
life, seeing that he who avails himself of its service fares no worse than ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm