Topical Bible: Rebellion Against God: Heinousness of

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Rebellion against God is a grave sin that is consistently condemned throughout the Scriptures. It is an act of defiance against the Creator, a rejection of His authority, and a refusal to submit to His will. The Bible portrays rebellion as a fundamental aspect of human sinfulness, originating from the fall of man and manifesting in various forms throughout history.

Biblical Examples and Warnings

The first act of rebellion is found in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:1-6). This act of defiance brought sin and death into the world, illustrating the severe consequences of rebelling against God's commands.

The Israelites' journey through the wilderness provides numerous examples of rebellion. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, they repeatedly grumbled and disobeyed His instructions. Numbers 14:9 warns, "Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be our bread. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!" This passage highlights the Israelites' lack of faith and trust in God's promises, leading to their prolonged wandering in the desert.

King Saul's disobedience is another poignant example. In 1 Samuel 15:23, the prophet Samuel declares, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king." Saul's failure to fully obey God's command resulted in the loss of his kingdom, underscoring the seriousness of rebellion.

The Nature of Rebellion

Rebellion against God is not merely an external act but a condition of the heart. It is rooted in pride, self-will, and a desire for autonomy. Isaiah 1:2-4 describes the rebellious nature of Israel: "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: 'I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.' Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they are utterly estranged."

This passage illustrates how rebellion leads to estrangement from God, resulting in spiritual blindness and moral corruption. It is a rejection of God's rightful place as Lord and a refusal to acknowledge His sovereignty.

Consequences of Rebellion

The consequences of rebellion are severe and far-reaching. Romans 1:18-21 explains that God's wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth. Those who rebel against God are given over to their sinful desires, leading to further moral decay and spiritual death.

In the New Testament, the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates the personal consequences of rebellion. The younger son's decision to leave his father's house and squander his inheritance in reckless living results in poverty and despair. However, his eventual repentance and return highlight God's readiness to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him.

Call to Repentance

Despite the heinousness of rebellion, the Bible consistently calls individuals to repentance and offers hope for restoration. 2 Chronicles 7:14 states, "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land." This promise underscores God's mercy and willingness to forgive those who genuinely repent and seek His face.

Rebellion against God is a serious offense that disrupts the relationship between the Creator and His creation. It is characterized by pride, disobedience, and a rejection of divine authority. The Bible warns of the dire consequences of such rebellion but also extends the hope of forgiveness and reconciliation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"And He is the Propitiation,"
... you to consider, how mightily the heinousness of sin is ... when ingratitude is mingled
in with rebellion, it makes ... which sin hath in the bosom of it against God. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxvii and he is.htm

The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of ...
... to last the Holy Scriptures insist upon its enormity and heinousness. ... sin is more
than a non-compliance with God's law"it is rebellion against the One who ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter four the character of.htm

"And if Christ be in You, the Body is Dead Because Sin,"
... gross ignorance, and practise manifest rebellion against his known ... of the soul to
sin against that God ... presenting our primitive departure from God, our first ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxvii and if christ.htm

Particular Redemption
... We shall note its greatness, first of all from the heinousness of our own ... the crimes
into which you were hurried, the continual rebellion against God in which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/particular redemption.htm

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ...
... simple disobedience, nor is it only grosser rebellion, but it ... The Son of God shed
his blood for our sins ... but shall find the most vehement persuasion against sin ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxiii my little children.htm

Immanuel
... the nature and effects of that rebellion against the Most ... intelligent creatures,
His inflexible displeasure against sin, in ... Immanuel, of Him who is God with us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon v immanuel.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... The Hebrew word for 'sin' signifies rebellion'. ... This sin is a flying roll against
England. ... that only the arm of God can break it and the blood of God soften it ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... means that they perceived the heinousness of their ... feels how great an evil the rebellion
of the ... who maliciously and impiously raged against God himself, that is ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm

An Unheeded Warning
... When after the rebellion of his people and their unwillingness to obey ... this is a
description of one who has sinned against the Spirit of God, for there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/an unheeded warning.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... such will certainly perish in their own rebellion; for this ... not any of thy sins for
heinousness may be ... the stirring up of blasphemies in thy heart against God? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm