Topical Encyclopedia Pestilences, often understood as widespread diseases or plagues, are significant events in the biblical narrative, serving as instruments of divine judgment, calls to repentance, and signs of the end times. The Bible frequently associates pestilences with God's sovereign will, using them to fulfill His purposes and communicate His messages to humanity.Old Testament References In the Old Testament, pestilences are depicted as tools of divine retribution and correction. One of the earliest mentions is found in the context of the plagues of Egypt. In Exodus 9:3, God warns Pharaoh through Moses, "the hand of the LORD will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks." This pestilence was part of a series of plagues designed to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Pestilences also appear in the covenantal warnings given to Israel. In Leviticus 26:25, God warns, "And I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy." Similarly, Deuteronomy 28:21 states, "The LORD will make the pestilence cling to you until He has exterminated you from the land that you are entering to possess." The narrative of King David provides another instance where pestilence is used as divine punishment. After David's census of Israel, which displeased God, a pestilence was sent as a consequence. 2 Samuel 24:15 records, "So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand men of the people died from Dan to Beersheba." Prophetic Literature The prophets frequently mention pestilences as part of their warnings to Israel and the nations. In Jeremiah 21:6, God declares, "I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast, and they will die in a terrible plague." Ezekiel also speaks of pestilence as a form of judgment, as seen in Ezekiel 14:21: "For this is what the Lord GOD says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dreadful judgments—sword and famine and wild beasts and plague—to cut off both man and beast from it!" New Testament Context In the New Testament, pestilences are mentioned in the context of eschatological events. Jesus, in His Olivet Discourse, includes pestilences as part of the signs of the end times. In Luke 21:11, He states, "There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven." The Book of Revelation also references pestilences as part of the apocalyptic vision. Revelation 6:8 describes the fourth horseman of the apocalypse: "So I looked and saw a pale horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth." Theological Implications Pestilences in the Bible are often seen as manifestations of God's judgment and calls to repentance. They serve as reminders of human frailty and the need for reliance on divine mercy and grace. Throughout Scripture, pestilences are not merely natural occurrences but are imbued with theological significance, pointing to the sovereignty of God over creation and history. Library From the Sixth Chapter. On the Different Kinds of Voluntary Actions, and the Sins Thence ... The Destruction of Jerusalem and the Coming of Christ. Ch. 21:5-38 Matt. xxiv. 1, 2 Introductory Note Treatise vii. On the Mortality. That it was Before Predicted that the World Would Hold us in ... The Deaf and Dumb. The Christians are not the Cause of Public Calamities: There were ... That the Same God, by the Same Word, Restrains from Sin by ... Thesaurus Pestilences (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Pestilences (2 Occurrences). Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom ... /p/pestilences.htm - 7k Divers (36 Occurrences) Pestilence (57 Occurrences) Fearful (73 Occurrences) Events (27 Occurrences) Different (87 Occurrences) Pestilent (1 Occurrence) Sights (4 Occurrences) Shakings (1 Occurrence) Famine (99 Occurrences) Resources Have any aspects of end times prophecy been fulfilled? | GotQuestions.orgAre we living in the end times? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Pestilences (2 Occurrences)Matthew 24:7 Luke 21:11 Subtopics Related Terms |
    |