Topical Bible: The Punishment of the Wicked: Future Described as Often Sudden and Unexpected

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The theme of sudden and unexpected punishment for the wicked is a recurring motif throughout the Bible. This concept underscores the divine justice of God, who, in His omniscience and righteousness, administers judgment in His perfect timing. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that illustrate how the wicked may face abrupt and unforeseen consequences for their actions.

Old Testament Examples

1. The Flood: One of the earliest and most dramatic instances of sudden punishment is the Great Flood. In Genesis 6-7, humanity's wickedness prompts God to cleanse the earth with a flood. Despite Noah's warnings, the people continue in their sinful ways until "the floodwaters came upon the earth" (Genesis 7:10), catching them unprepared.

2. Sodom and Gomorrah: The destruction of these cities serves as another example. In Genesis 19, the inhabitants are described as exceedingly wicked. Despite the presence of righteous Lot, the cities are suddenly destroyed by "brimstone and fire from the LORD out of the heavens" (Genesis 19:24), illustrating the swift execution of divine judgment.

3. Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, Korah and his followers challenge Moses' leadership. Their rebellion results in an immediate and unexpected punishment as "the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them" (Numbers 16:32), demonstrating the suddenness of God's judgment against those who oppose His appointed leaders.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament frequently warns of the sudden downfall of the wicked. Proverbs 6:15 states, "Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery" . Similarly, Proverbs 29:1 warns, "A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery" . These verses emphasize the unexpected nature of divine retribution.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets also speak of the sudden punishment of the wicked. Isaiah 47:11 warns Babylon, "But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will fall upon you that you cannot ward off; a catastrophe you cannot foresee will suddenly come upon you" . This prophecy highlights the inevitability and unpredictability of God's judgment.

New Testament Teachings

1. The Parable of the Rich Fool: In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells the parable of a rich man who plans to build larger barns to store his wealth, only to be called a fool when God demands his life that very night. This parable illustrates the suddenness of divine judgment and the futility of earthly riches.

2. The Day of the Lord: The New Testament frequently describes the return of Christ and the final judgment as unexpected. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, Paul writes, "For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and security,' destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape" . This imagery underscores the sudden and inescapable nature of God's final judgment.

3. The Parable of the Ten Virgins: In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom are unprepared for the bridegroom's arrival. The suddenness of the bridegroom's coming serves as a warning to remain vigilant and prepared for the unexpected return of Christ.

Apostolic Warnings

The apostles continue this theme, urging believers to remain watchful. Peter warns in 2 Peter 3:10, "But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare" . This passage reinforces the sudden and comprehensive nature of God's final judgment.

Throughout the Bible, the punishment of the wicked is depicted as often sudden and unexpected, serving as a sobering reminder of the importance of righteousness and vigilance in the face of divine justice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 35:8
Let destruction come on him at unawares; and let his net that he has hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 64:7
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
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Proverbs 29:1
He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
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Luke 12:20
But God said to him, You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided?
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1 Thessalonians 5:3
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail on a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
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Library

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... Whether or not these Gentiles would in the Messianic future become proselytes, seems ...
[5418] At the time of Christ the punishment of the wicked was certainly ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

Useful Phrases
... power [necromancy = communicating with the dead to predict the future. ... peremptory
punishment [peremptory = ending all debate or action]. ... wicked ingratitude. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section i useful phrases.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... And as this controversy may be revived at some future time, or ... the passage is thus:
Jude means that those wicked people had their punishment before written ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

Cardinal Felix Bonpre Sat Alone in the Largest and Loneliest Room ...
... "One of the most wicked!" he echoed ... His self-imposed punishment, and his unexpected
reward in the personality of ... Why not stay and dine with my future father-in ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxii cardinal felix bonpre sat.htm

The Cocal
... as, on the whole, mild; corporal punishment being restricted ... the thing, I suppose,
went its wicked way, for ... the life, the 'forma formativa,' of the future tree ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiii the cocal.htm

Chapter vi
... case the evil angel has his punishment meted out ... God here decreed that in the future
the span of ... Though living among successive, mostly wicked generations, his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter vi.htm

An Exhortation to Theodore after his Fall. Letter I.
... For this reason also the wicked one dragged Judas ... former freedom, having considered
both the punishment arising from ... Let us then in future set about our return ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/an exhortation to theodore after.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... both groans now among the ungodly and wicked, to whose ... when they are doomed to the
punishment of eternal ... in His providence for the prefigurement of the future. ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

And ii.
... should be altogether passed over, and punishment announced to ... in short, because they
are all wicked and ungodly ... abasement, it shall obtain in the future, by the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of the hour, but the prompt punishment which followed ... the means of avoiding disaster
in the future was clearly ... and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm