Topical Encyclopedia Repentance is a central theme in the Bible, representing a turning away from sin and a return to God. The neglect of repentance, however, is met with severe consequences, often resulting in swift judgment. This entry explores the biblical instances where the failure to repent leads to immediate divine retribution, emphasizing the seriousness with which God views unrepentant sin.Old Testament Examples 1. The Flood (Genesis 6-7): Humanity's widespread corruption and violence grieved God, who saw that "every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time" (Genesis 6:5). Despite Noah's righteousness and the time given for repentance while the ark was being built, the people did not turn from their wickedness. Consequently, God brought swift judgment through the flood, sparing only Noah and his family. 2. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19): The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were notorious for their sinfulness. Despite Abraham's intercession, the lack of even ten righteous individuals led to their destruction. The angels warned Lot to flee, and "the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah" (Genesis 19:24), demonstrating the swift judgment that follows unrepentant sin. 3. Pharaoh and the Plagues (Exodus 7-12): Pharaoh's repeated refusal to heed Moses' call to let the Israelites go, despite witnessing the plagues, exemplifies the neglect of repentance. Each act of defiance was met with increasingly severe judgments, culminating in the death of the firstborn in Egypt. Pharaoh's hardened heart led to the swift and devastating judgment of God. New Testament Examples 1. John the Baptist's Warning (Matthew 3:7-10): John the Baptist called for repentance, warning the Pharisees and Sadducees of impending judgment. He declared, "The ax lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matthew 3:10). This metaphor illustrates the immediacy of judgment for those who neglect repentance. 2. Jesus' Warnings to the Cities (Matthew 11:20-24): Jesus reproached the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unrepentance despite witnessing His miracles. He warned that their judgment would be more severe than that of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, indicating that neglecting repentance in the face of divine revelation invites swift judgment. 3. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11): In the early church, Ananias and Sapphira's deceit regarding the sale of their property was met with immediate judgment. Peter confronted them, and both fell dead upon being exposed. Their account serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the neglect of repentance within the community of believers. Theological Implications The neglect of repentance is not merely a passive oversight but an active rejection of God's call to holiness. Scripture consistently portrays God as patient and merciful, yet His justice demands accountability. The swift judgments that follow unrepentance serve as both a warning and a call to return to God with sincere hearts. The biblical narrative underscores the urgency of repentance, highlighting that God's forbearance should not be mistaken for indifference. Torrey's Topical Textbook Revelation 2:5,16Remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come to you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Book of the Law 'Fruit which is Death' A Penitent Heart, the Best New Year's Gift Jeremiah Approaching Doom Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus. The Hebrew Prophecies. The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to ... The Sibylline Oracles. A Traveler's Note-Book Resources What is cheap grace? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of sackcloth and ashes? | GotQuestions.org Why had the disciples in Ephesus not received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7)? | GotQuestions.org Repentance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Repentance by the Operation of the Holy Spirit Repentance by the Preaching of Haggai Repentance by the Preaching of Oded Repentance in Asking for a King Repentance in the Time of Asa, by the Preaching of Azariah Repentance of Their Idolatry, when Afflicted by the Philistines Repentance of Worshiping the Golden Calf Repentance: Achan, Because of his Theft Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra Repentance: Ahab, when Reproved by Elijah for Ahab's Idolatry Repentance: At the Dedication of the Second Temple Repentance: Balaam, of his Spiritual Blindness Repentance: Because of Their Idolatrous Marriages Repentance: Because of Their Oppressive Usury Repentance: Called Repentance to Life Repentance: Called Repentance to Salvation Repentance: Christ Came to Call Sinners To Repentance: Christ Exalted to Give Repentance: Commanded by Christ Repentance: Commanded to all by God Repentance: Condition of God's Favor Repentance: Conviction of Sin Necessary To Repentance: Danger of Neglecting Repentance: David, at the Rebuke of Nathan, for his Sins of Adultery and Murder Repentance: Denied to Apostates Repentance: Hezekiah, at the Time of his Sickness Repentance: Illustrated: The Prodigal Son Repentance: Illustrated: The Repentant Son Repentance: Jonah, After his Punishment Repentance: Joseph's Brothers, of Their Maltreatment of Joseph Repentance: Josiah, when he Heard the Law of God Which had been Discovered in the Temple by Hilkiah Repentance: Manasseh, when he Was Carried Away Captive to Babylon by the King of Assyria Repentance: Ministers should Rejoice Over Their People on Their Repentance: Necessary to the Pardon of Sin Repentance: Neglect of, Followed by Swift Judgment Repentance: Not to be Repented of Repentance: Peter, Because of his Denial of Jesus Repentance: Pharaoh, of his Hardness of Heart Repentance: Preached by Christ Repentance: Preached by John the Baptist Repentance: Preached by the Apostles Repentance: Preached in the Name of Christ Repentance: Rehoboam, when his Kingdom Was Invaded, and Jerusalem Was Besieged Repentance: Repentance of Their Complaining Because of Lack of Bread and Water Repentance: Saul, at the Rebuke of Samuel for not Destroying the Amalekites Repentance: should be Accompanied by Confession Repentance: should be Accompanied by Conversion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Faith Repentance: should be Accompanied by Greater Zeal in the Path of Duty Repentance: should be Accompanied by Humility Repentance: should be Accompanied by Prayer Repentance: should be Accompanied by Self-Abhorrence Repentance: should be Accompanied by Shame and Confusion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Idolatry Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Sin Repentance: should be Evidenced by Fruits Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of Jesus Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Disobedient Son Repentance: The Ephesians, by the Preaching of Paul Repentance: The Jews, by the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Ninevites, by the Preaching of Jonah Repentance: The Present Time the Season For Repentance: The Wicked: Averse To Repentance: The Wicked: Condemned for Neglecting Repentance: The Wicked: Neglect the Time Given For Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led to by the Judgments of God Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led To, by Miraculous Interference Repentance: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus With Oil Repentance: There is Joy in Heaven Over One Sinner Brought To Repentance: True: Thief on the Cross Repentance: Unavailing: To Esau Repentance: Unavailing: To Israel Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Repentance: Under the Influence of Hezekiah Repentance: we should be Led To, by Godly Sorrow Works Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Chastisements of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Goodness of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Patience of God Repentance: when Rebuked by an Angel for not Expelling the Canaanites Repentance: when Reproved by the Prophet Micah Related Terms Long-suffering (23 Occurrences) |
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