The Fate of the Wicked, Part 1

The Fate of the Wicked

Addendum to The Called, the Culled, and the Excused

Sodom’s Gehenna: Bigger?

Chapter 5 Addendum, Part 1: Is there hope for the wicked? Most “Bible believing” people assume that the wicked are every last person who is not a Christian, and that the “wicked” dead are burning in “hell” —now and forever. Others imagine that at least some of the wicked can escape the Lake of Fire by serving time in “purgatory” first. Still others suppose that, in the resurrection, “unconverted” people will have another opportunity to get to know God, and with this knowledge, they will hopefully decide to become “good” , so as to avoid the flames of “hell”. If you consider the scriptures that describe the wicked, rather than just the many which merely mention them in passing, as compiled here, you may come to see that there is absolutely no evidence to support any of the popular viewpoints! These scriptures collectively define the actions which makes the wicked—wicked and describe what God is going to do with them and exactly when their judgment will come to pass. The little old lady next door and the neighbor kids may not fit into the proverbial box you’ve marked “reserved for the wicked!”

First, A Look At “Hell”

INDEX

Biblically, the most ominous word translated as “hell” (gehenna) is literally nothing more than the old city dump of Jerusalem, where refuse was burned up! Use of the term was merely to give us an actual comparison as to what the Lake of Fire will resemble—the fires burned continuously but the dead were burned up quickly as explained on this (off site) link, excerpted here:

“After their return from the Babylonian exile, the Jews turned the Hinnom Valley into the city dump where garbage and anything deemed unclean (including the bodies of executed criminals) was incinerated. For that purpose, a fire was kept constantly burning there. Even though it was no longer used for evil worship, with all the filth and thick smoke it remained a very dark and dreary place.”

Let’s look at the words translated as “hell” as described in:

Easton’s definition of “Biblical hell” is closer to the simple meaning of the pit where bodies are buried or cast but still retains some of the flavor of the pagan Greek hell (off site) where the dead are paradoxically alive—a concept which has heavily influenced Roman Christianity and later Protestantism. The hellacious reference to “bars” (Strong’s 0905) actually has to do with the first meaning of this Hebrew word and nothing to do with restraining the lively dead:

The Online Bible Greek Lexicon also has difficulty separating the pagan from the Biblical. Notice the direct references to pagan gods and pagan theology in their definition:

Online goes on to add:

“In Biblical Greek it is associated with Orcus [god of the underworld: off site], the infernal regions, a dark and dismal place in the very depths of the earth, the common receptacle of disembodied spirits. Usually Hades is just the abode of the wicked, #Lu 16:23; Re 20:13, 14; a very uncomfortable place. TDNT.”

Languages are filled with words of questionable origin at best. So it was with the Greek that the Apostles had to use to convey thoughts. That is why we need the prophecied new language!

There is a single reference to “tartaroo” (Strong’s 5020) in the Bible which does describe a place of temporary restraint for some of the most vile and dangerous demons, and perhaps some questionable ones, which are being held until Judgment Day. To the Greeks tartaroo meant the deepest “pits of darkness”. Peter was not describing a place of punishment because “the angels that sinned”“ are still there “to be reserved for judgment”. Only the most unfair judicial systems punish a suspect prior to judging them. Because the wicked angels are being “reserved for judgment” , we must conclude that they havent been judged yet.

2 Peter 2:4 For if God didnt spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved for judgment .... WEB

Jesus will ultimately destroy those demons, as explained in Satan’s Second Death. However they do not know when Judgment Day is:

Mark 1:23-24 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 24 saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!” WEB

The Resurrection

Because “purgatory” is not a Biblical topic, I will not comment on that, nor will I get into the Greek mythology that became a model of the early “Fathers” to scare the hell out of (or into?) people. Pagan religions focus on eternal “life” in “hades” , rather than actual death and the grave. However, the resurrection is a Biblical topic, but it is nothing like reincarnation—where people supposedly come back in another physical body. The resurrection is either for the purpose of eternal life, or condemnation to eternal death. Here are a few of the key scriptures concerning the resurrection, serving as a brief clarification of points already addressed in this book, such as in The Great Judgment Day

John 5:28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

The Sadducees tried to trick Jesus into saying that there is to be a physical resurrection, complete with marriages, as in this life. They wanted to make Him look foolish. That was a major point of contention between them and the Pharisees, who couldnt fathom being made “equal to the angels”, or even “more equal”.

Luke 20:35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Only of those who are “counted worthy” does it say: “nor can they die anymore”. The resurrection is for eternal life or eternal death. Eternal life is a “gift”. It is not something that everyone already has, but with only the destination in question.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, [you know—like you’re dead] but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The wicked, after having to face their creator in the “resurrection of condemnation” , will endure yet another death, another total absence of consciousness, this time for eternity:

Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

The Wicked Go Back Into Oblivion.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

Do Sodom and Gomorrah Have a Future Hope?

The following statement concerning “tolerable” and “Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment” has been used as a proof text that the wicked will be given more time to change in a coming resurrection. “Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more TOLERABLE for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” (Matthew 10:15) This thought is repeated three other times (Matthew 11:24, Mark 6:11, Luke 10:12). The assumed second opportunity for those people actually contradicts a clear and specific statement regarding them! Actually “tolerable” refers to more than one level of “suffering” inflicted on more than one kind of wicked people. Deliberately rejecting God apparently brings a more painful death than for those who sear their consciences in ignorance! However the penalty of “ETERNAL FIRE” is reserved for both groups!

Notice:

Jude 1:7 ... as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of ETERNAL FIRE.

It is possible that up to nine people in Sodom will be spared during Judgment Day but the “passing with a ‘D’” percentages of the religious elite of Jesus’ day is slimmer still:

Genesis 18:32 He [Abraham] said, “Oh dont let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten [relatively righteous: v.24] are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it [Sodom and vicinity] for the ten’s sake.” WEB

When you consider how detestable Sodom and Gomorrah were to God, and how amazed He was at their level of wickedness, then it is beyond comprehension what God must think of anyone who deliberately rejects Him. In the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, God had to go down and see this with His own eyes!

2 Peter 2:6 ... and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, CONDEMNED THEM TO DESTRUCTION, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly.

Isaiah 3:9-13 The look on their countenance witnesses against them, and they declare their sin as Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves. 10 ‘Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. 11 Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for the REWARD of his hands shall be GIVEN him. 12 As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.’ 13 The Lord stands up to plead, and stands to judge the people.

What you do—your works, ultimately proves to God what you are made of. Actions speak much louder than words.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall REWARD EVERY MAN according to his WORKS.

Be careful to avoid the majority of “Christian teachers” who says that righteous “works” are not essential for your salvation. These people say that it is only what is in your “heart” that matters. The wicked dont think that God will hold them to “account” for their wicked works.

Psalms 10:13 Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, ‘You will not require an account.

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

And, by the way, are the wicked really just people who support a religious body that differs from yours, or support no religion at all? If so, then how did God determine who the wicked were, or the righteous for that matter, during the thousands of years before there were “churches” [off site: actually “Assemblies”]. God’s word has many descriptions to clarify who the wicked are and what is to become of them!

A primary purpose of The Called, the Culled, and the Excused was to demonstrate that many “sinners” are not “wicked” ! With that understanding in mind, the following scriptures, all referring to the “wicked” have deeper meaning. They are not likely to apply the little old lady next door! I have endeavored to include every scripture that could possibly be relevant to understanding what God wanted to reveal to us about the wicked. Scripture describes who the wicked are, how they think, what God thinks about them, as well as the timing and circumstances of their fate. The only scriptural references that I did not include are the ones that simply mention the word “wicked” in passing, without any commentary whatsoever. Not one scripture indicates that they will receive more time or opportunity to repent. Very many scriptures place them in judgment. Wickedness is a relative condition. Some of us recognize our sins and have hope of recovering from them, others are terminally ill, like the guy with emphysema who smokes thru a hole in his throat! We have all sinned, but to paint us all with the same brush is not Biblical. Millions who are reltively righteous will be excused from death by their good works—totally unaware that God is watching them (Matthew 25:34-40). Not so with the terminally wicked (Matthew 25:41-46)! The Called, the Culled and the Excused explains that there are four categories of people, not simply two. Millions of Biblically illiterate people are not wicked!

Anyone could have compiled this list with a concordance, but to my knowledge, no one has. This will save you a great deal of time. I tried not to skimp on the context and I used more than is customary. This compilation is in order, starting in Genesis and ending in 1 John 5, the last listing in the Bible. Here are the scriptures that God gave us concerning the “wicked”. Watch for any indication that the “wicked” have any hope of resurrection for the purpose of “re-education” or (the other ditch), eternal LIFE in hell.

The List: Genesis thru Revelation

Genesis 18:16-26 Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. 17 And the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, 18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.’ 20 And the Lord said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is VERY GRAVE, 21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.’ [The degree of sin in Sodom was so bad that God could scarcely believe the reports] 22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ 26 So the Lord said, ‘If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

Deuteronomy 17:1-7 You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God a bull or sheep which has any blemish or defect, for that is an abomination to the Lord your God. 2 ‘If there is found among you, within any of your gates which the Lord your God gives you, a man or a woman who has been wicked in the sight of the Lord your God, in transgressing His covenant, 3 who has [knowingly, as an Israelite taken out of Egypt] gone and served other gods and worshiped them, either the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded, 4 and it is told you, and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently. And if it is indeed true and certain that such an abomination has been committed in Israel, 5 then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has committed that wicked thing, and shall stone to death that man or woman with stones. 6 Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness. 7 The hands of the witnesses shall be the first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall put away the evil from among you.

1 Samuel 30:21-31 Now David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he greeted them. 22 Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, ‘Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart.’ 23 But David said, ‘My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us.

1 Kings 8:31-32 When anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 32 then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.

God sending messengers was of no help—they killed the messengers. The following account describes Israel’s deliberate wickedness.

2 Kings 17:7-20 For so it was that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and they had feared other gods, 8 and had walked in the statutes of the nations whom the Lord had cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. 9 Also the children of Israel secretly did against the Lord their God things that were not right, and they built for themselves high places in all their cities, from watchtower to fortified city. 10 They set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. 11 There they burned incense on all the high places, like the nations whom the Lord had carried away before them; and they did wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger [this sounds deliberate], 12 for they served idols, of which the Lord had said to them, ‘You shall not do this thing’.... 17 And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger. 18 Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone. 19 Also Judah did not keep the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel, which they made. 20 And the Lord REJECTED all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of plunderers, until He had cast them from His sight.

No hope yet—just a call for judgment on the wicked:

2 Chronicles 6:18-23 But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! 19 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You: 20 that Your eyes may be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your name, that You may hear the prayer which your servant prays toward this place. 21 And may You hear the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive. 22 ‘If anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 23 then hear from heaven, and act, and JUDGE Your servants, bringing retribution on the wicked by bringing his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.

No hope for the wicked yet!

It is quite apparent that God expected our supposedly “unconverted” ancient Israelite forbearers to “pray”, “seek” Him, and “turn” from wickedness so that they could be “forgiven” !

Repentance for wickedness is the only solution—now, not later.

2 Chronicles 7:12- 14 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: ‘I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

The above account of Solomon dedicating the temple goes on to describe the perpetuity of the kingdom if they will only refrain from wickedness.

Nehemiah 9:32-38 Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and awesome God, who keeps covenant and mercy: do not let all the trouble seem small before You that has come upon us, our kings and our princes, our priests and our prophets, our fathers and on all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33 However You are just in all that has befallen us; for You have dealt faithfully, but we have done wickedly. 34 Neither our kings nor our princes, our priests nor our fathers, have kept Your law, nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, with which You testified against them. 35 For they have not served You in their kingdom, or in the many good things that You gave them, or in the large and rich land which You set before them; nor did they turn from their wicked works. 36 ‘Here we are, servants today! And the land that You gave to our fathers, to eat its fruit and its bounty, here we are, servants in it! 37 And it yields much increase to the kings You have set over us, because of our sins; also they have dominion over our bodies and our cattle at their pleasure; and we are in great distress. 38 ‘And because of all this, we make a sure covenant, and write it; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it.

It appears that the statements of Job’s friends are valid principles; the error was that they believed that to be tested severely was always a punishment from God, rather than often times a test of character!

Job 11:20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope—loss of life!”

All records and even the “memory” of the existence of the wicked will be expunged from the earth, yet they did “not know God” !

Job 18:5-21 The light of the wicked indeed goes out, and the flame of his fire does not shine. 6 The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp beside him is put out. 7 The steps of his strength are shortened, and his own counsel casts him down. 8 for he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks into a snare. 9 The net takes him by the heel, and a snare lays hold of him. 10 A noose is hidden for him on the ground, and a trap for him in the road. 11 Terrors frighten him on every side, and drive him to his feet. 12 His strength is starved, and destruction is ready at his side. 13 It devours patches of his skin; the firstborn of death devours his limbs. 14 He is uprooted from the shelter of his tent, and they parade him before the king of terrors. 15 They dwell in his tent who are none of his; brimstone is scattered on his dwelling. 16 His roots are dried out below, and his branch withers above. 17 The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name among the renowned. 18 He is driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. 19 He has neither son nor posterity among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. 20 Those in the west are astonished at his day, as those in the east are frightened. 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him who does not know God.”

Still no hope for the wicked! Keep looking:

Job 20: 1-17, 26-29 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: 2 ‘Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer, because of the turmoil within me. 3 I have heard the rebuke that reproaches me, and the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer. 4 ‘Do you not know this of old, since man was placed on earth, 5 that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? [The wicked are temporary.]6 Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, and his head reaches to the clouds, 7 yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’ 8 He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night. 9 The eye that saw him will SEE HIM NO MORE, nor will his place behold him anymore. [The wicked are terminal!] 10 His children will seek the favor of the poor, and his hands will restore his wealth. 11 His bones are full of his youthful vigor, but it will lie down with him in the dust. 12 ‘Though evil is sweet in his mouth, and he hides it under his tongue, 13 though he spares it and does not forsake it, but still keeps it in his mouth, 14 yet his food in his stomach turns sour; it becomes cobra venom within him. 15 He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly. 16 He will suck the poison of cobras; the viper’s tongue will slay him. 17 He will not see the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. [God never challenged these statements, rather He supported them.] ... An unfanned fire will consume him; [on Judgment Day] it shall go ill with him who is left in his tent. 27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. 28 The increase of his house will depart, and his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath [again Judgment Day]. 29 This is the portion from God for a wicked man, the heritage appointed to him by God.

No second chance here! Surely, if the wicked had another chance it would be mentioned here!

Job 21:5-18, 27-32 Look at me, and be astonished. Lay your hand on your mouth. 6 When I remember, I am troubled. Horror takes hold of my flesh. 7 “Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, and grow mighty in power? 8 Their child is established with them in their sight, their offspring before their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. 10 Their bulls breed without fail. Their cows calve, and dont miscarry. 11 They send forth their little ones like a flock. Their children dance. 12 They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe. 13 They spend their days in prosperity. In an instant they go down to Sheol. 14 They tell God, ‘Depart from us, for we dont want to know about your ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?’ 16 Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17 “How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out, that their calamity comes on them, that God distributes sorrows in his anger? 18 How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away? ... 27 “Behold, I know your thoughts,the devices with which you would wrong me. 28 For you say, ‘Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?’ 29 Havent you asked wayfaring men? Dont you know their evidences, 30 that the evil man is reserved to the Day of Calamity, that they are led forth to the Day of Wrath? [Judgment Day] 31 Who shall declare his way to his face? Who shall repay him what he has done? 32 Yet he will be borne to the grave. Men shall keep watch over the tomb. WEB

It was quite natural for Job to be focused on the wicked who seemed to be “getting away with murder” , then dying a peaceful death, while he suffered for no reason apparent to him. It seems just as natural to believe “what goes around comes around”. This is a true principle but it often takes longer to “come around” than we acknowledge. Sometimes God is testing us and other times it is just time and chance.

Job 27:1-23 Moreover Job continued his discourse, and said ... 7 ‘May my enemy be like the wicked, and he who rises up against me like the unrighteous. 8 For what is the HOPE of the hypocrite, though he may gain much, if God takes away his life? 9 Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him? 10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? Will he always call on God? 11 ‘I will teach you about the hand of God; what is with the Almighty I will not conceal. 12 Surely all of you have seen it; why then do you behave with complete nonsense? 13 “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, received from the Almighty: 14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword; and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. 15 Those who survive him shall be buried in death, and their widows shall not weep, 16 though he heaps up silver like dust, and piles up clothing like clay–17 he may pile it up, but the just will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver. 18 He builds his house like a moth, like a booth, which a watchman makes. 19 The rich man will lie down, but not be gathered up; he opens his eyes [just long enough for Judgment], and he IS NO MORE [the Second Death]. 20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; a tempest steals him away in the night. 21 The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him out of his place. 22 It hurls against him and does not spare; he flees desperately from its power. 23 Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

Job 31:3 Is it not destruction for the wicked, and disaster for the workers of iniquity?

Psalms 37:1-40 A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb .... 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret–it only causes harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth [Judgment Day 101]. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall BE NO MORE; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall INHERIT THE EARTH, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. [This shows the Judgment Day timing.] 12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. 13 The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct. 15 Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. 18 The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the Lord, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall VANISH AWAY. 21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous shows mercy and gives .... 28 For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are PRESERVED FOREVER [We call that being resurrected to eternal life], but the descendants of the wicked shall be CUT OFF. [wickedness is routinely instilled into children.] 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever [a frequent comment]. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to slay him. 33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. 34 Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are CUT OFF, you shall see it. [In order to “see it” both you and the wicked will have to be alive together on Judgment Day!] 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace. [Best resurrection] 38 But the transgressors shall be ‘destroyed’ [Literally: to be annihilated, be exterminated, to be destroyed, be devastated] together; THE FUTURE OF THE wicked SHALL BE CUT OFF [This is not complicated!] 39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.

Another Judgment Day Prophecy

Psalms 50:1-4, 15-23 A Psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God the Lord, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. 3 Our God shall come [on Judgment Day], and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. 4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He [Jesus—2 Timothy 4:1] may judge His people .... 15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. 16 But to the wicked God says: ‘What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, 17 seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? 18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. 19 You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. 21 These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you [they knew nothing about the mind of God!]; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes. 22 ‘Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: 23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright [and no others] I will show the salvation of God.

Now for PART 2

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