Topical Bible: Seeking God: The Wicked: Rejected, when Too Late In

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In the biblical narrative, the theme of seeking God is central to the relationship between humanity and the divine. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of seeking God earnestly and sincerely, warning that there may come a time when it is too late for the wicked to turn to Him. This entry explores the biblical perspective on the rejection of the wicked when they seek God too late.

Biblical Context

The Bible consistently calls individuals to seek God while He may be found. This call is accompanied by a warning that delaying repentance and the pursuit of God can lead to a point of no return. The wicked, characterized by their persistent rebellion and refusal to heed God's call, face the dire consequence of being rejected when they finally attempt to seek Him too late.

Key Scriptures

1. Proverbs 1:28-29 : "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD."

This passage highlights the futility of seeking God after a lifetime of rejecting His wisdom and refusing to fear Him. The wicked, having despised divine knowledge, find themselves in a position where their cries go unanswered.

2. Isaiah 55:6-7 : "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon."

Here, the prophet Isaiah urges immediate action in seeking God, emphasizing the urgency of repentance. The implication is clear: there is a window of opportunity for the wicked to turn to God, beyond which they may find themselves rejected.

3. Matthew 25:10-12 : "But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Later, the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’"

In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus illustrates the consequences of being unprepared and seeking entry too late. The closed door symbolizes the finality of the opportunity lost, underscoring the importance of readiness and vigilance in seeking God.

4. Hebrews 12:17 : "For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears."

This reference to Esau serves as a sobering reminder that there can be a point where repentance is no longer possible. Despite his tears, Esau's earlier choices led to a permanent loss of blessing, illustrating the peril of seeking God too late.

Theological Implications

The rejection of the wicked when they seek God too late underscores the justice and holiness of God. It serves as a warning that God's patience, while immense, is not infinite. The biblical narrative affirms that God desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), yet it also upholds the reality of divine judgment for those who persist in wickedness.

The call to seek God is not merely an invitation but a command that carries eternal significance. The Scriptures urge individuals to respond to God's call with urgency and sincerity, recognizing that the opportunity for repentance and reconciliation is a gift that should not be taken for granted.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 1:28
Then shall they call on me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter cvi. To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople, in Rebuke of ...
... that the Synod of Nic??a is hallowed by God with such ... to misuse a synodal council,
as by wicked arguments to ... than is puffed up with the spirit of self-seeking. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter cvi to anatolius bishop.htm

Labors in a New Field
... when I got down to pray before this wicked man. ... again to a place where Christ was
so entirely rejected. ... There were many people at the altar seeking God and the ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xi labors in a.htm

"The Eternity of Hell-Torments"
... spiritual wickednesses, to walk to and fro, seeking whom they ... possible, though not
certain, that the wicked would be ... not repent, though the Son of God died and ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the eternity of hell-torments.htm

Regeneration
... my goodly, godly Paradise to be stained by wicked ungodly men. ... that is not my aim,
God is my witness, I ... You are seeking to have this question and that question ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/regeneration.htm

Compassion for Souls
... of God concerning the doom of the wicked is so ... A strange feeling of diffidence pervades
a seeking soul, and ... great comfort to you to believe that God will hear ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/compassion for souls.htm

At Capernaum
... Satan with his evil angels had been seeking to control ... means by which we can overcome
the wicked one is ... God does not control our minds without our consent; but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 26 at capernaum.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... reader now sees the point we are seeking to make ... nor that He will yet bring the wicked
to stand ... Mark, too, the Sovereignty which God displayed in His dealings ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

Still Continues the Praise of "Wisdom. ...
... Everything has a time and season; and instead of seeking to put matters ... according
to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men to ... God is all in all. ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter viii still continues the.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... of conscience, would cry and pray; yet seeking rather present ... and to search into
the word of God, if I ... I feared, therefore, that this wicked sin of mine, might ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

The Wise and Foolish virgins
... You contented yourselves with seeking, when you should have been striving to ... "Now
the wicked cease from ... God, if he has freely justified you by faith in his son ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the wise and foolish virgins.htm