30-The Destruction of the Wicked - NIV

1. God's Character Is One of Love.
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD _appeared_ to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an _everlasting_ love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

2. God Does Not Want Anyone to Perish.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some _understand_ slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to _repentance_.

3. Our God Is a Consuming Fire. This Means Sin and Sinners Cannot Exist in His Presence.
Hebrews 12:29 For our "_God_ is a consuming _fire_."

4. Sinners Will Ultimately Be Burned Up, Or Turned to Ash.
Malachi 4:1-3 "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the _arrogant_ and every _evildoer_ will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. [2] But for you who revere my name, the sun of _righteousness_ will rise with _healing_ in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves _released_ from the stall. [3] Then you will _trample_ down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the LORD Almighty.

5. The Wicked Shall Not Be.
Psalms 37:10 A little while, and the _wicked_ will be no more; _though_ you look for them, they will not be found.

6. The Wicked Shall Perish, They Shall Be Consumed Away.
Psalms 37:20 But the wicked will perish: The LORD's _enemies_ will be like the beauty of the _fields_, they will vanish--vanish like smoke.

7. The Wicked Will Not Be Found.
Psalms 37:36 But he soon passed away and was no more; _though_ I _looked_ for him, he could not be found.

8. There Will Not Be One Punishment Whose Effects Last Forever. There Will Be One Punishment Whose Effects Last Forever.
Matthew 25:46 "Then they will go away to eternal _punishment_, but the _righteous_ to eternal life."

9. Sodom and Gomorrah Are Examples of Everlasting Punishment.
these Cities Have Ceased to Exist.
Jude 1:7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the _surrounding_ towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the _punishment_ of eternal fire.

10. The Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah Are Turned into Ash.
2 Peter 2:6 If he _condemned_ the cities of Sodom and _Gomorrah_ by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;

11. The Fire Cannot Be Quenched Or Put Out Until Sin Is Totally Eradicated From the Universe.
Matthew 3:11-12 "I baptize you with water for _repentance_. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his _threshing_ floor, _gathering_ his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with _unquenchable_ fire."

12. Jerusalem Was Destroyed by An Unquenchable Fire Which Humans Could Not Put Out. The Fire's Work Was Complete and Jerusalem Is Not Burning Today.
Jeremiah 17:19-27 This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; stand also at all the other gates of Jerusalem. [20] Say to them, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and all people of Judah and _everyone_ living in Jerusalem who come through these gates. [21] This is what the LORD says: Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem. [22] Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I _commanded_ your _forefathers_. [23] Yet they did not listen or pay _attention_; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to _discipline_. [24] But if you are careful to obey me, _declares_ the LORD, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy by not doing any work on it, [25] then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this city with their officials. They and their officials will come riding in _chariots_ and on horses, accompanied by the men of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, and this city will be _inhabited_ forever. [26] People will come from the towns of Judah and the _villages_ around Jerusalem, from the _territory_ of _Benjamin_ and the western _foothills_, from the hill country and the Negev, _bringing_ burnt offerings and _sacrifices_, grain offerings, incense and thank offerings to the house of the LORD. [27] But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not _carrying_ any load as you come through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an _unquenchable_ fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will _consume_ her _fortresses_.' "

13. The Wicked Shall Be Destroyed Forever. Forever Does Not Always Mean Endless Existence But Is Literally Translated "Until the End of the Age. ".".
Revelation 20:10 And the devil, who _deceived_ them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be _tormented_ day and night for ever and ever.

14. A Slave Shall Serve His Master Forever Or As Long As He Lives.
Exodus 21:6 Then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the _doorpost_ and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his _servant_ for life.

15. Hannah Presented Samuel Before the Lord Forever Or As Long As He Would Live.
1 Samuel 1:22 Hannah did not go. She said to her _husband_, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and _present_ him before the LORD, and he will live there always."

1 Samuel 1:28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he _worshiped_ the LORD _there_.

16. The Evil Angels and All the Wicked Are Reserved Unto Judgment.
hell Is Not Burning Now.
2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy _dungeons_ to be held for _judgment_;

Revelation 20:9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and _surrounded_ the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and _devoured_ them.

17. Satan Himself Will Be Consumed to Ashes.
Ezekiel 28:17-18 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a _spectacle_ of you before kings. [18] By your many sins and _dishonest_ trade you have _desecrated_ your _sanctuaries_. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching.

18. The Fire Will Burn Itself Out and There Will Not Be Even a Coal Left.
Isaiah 47:14 Surely they are like _stubble_; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save _themselves_ from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.

19. The Wicked Shall Be As If They Had Never Been.
Obadiah 1:16 Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the _nations_ will drink _continually_; they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been.

20. The World Shall Be Dissolved and Afterwards God Will Create a New Heavens and a New Earth.
2 Peter 3:12-13 As you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the _destruction_ of the heavens by fire, and the _elements_ will melt in the heat. [13] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of _righteousness_.

Next Bible Study: 31-Questions on the Destruction of the Wicked

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