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The Justice of God, December 18
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that
judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge
him in the last day.
John 12:48
.
The wicked receive their recompense in the earth.... Some are
destroyed as in a moment, while others suffer many days. All are
punished “according to their deeds.” The sins of the righteous having
been transferred to Satan, he is made to suffer not only for his own
rebellion, but for all the sins which he has caused God’s people to
commit. His punishment is to be far greater than that of those whom he
has deceived. After all have perished who fell by his deceptions, he is
still to live and suffer on.
In the cleansing flames the wicked are at last destroyed, root and
branch—Satan the root, his followers the branches. The justice of God
is satisfied, and the saints and all the angelic host say with a loud voice,
Amen.
While the earth is wrapped in the fire of God’s vengeance, the
righteous abide safely in the Holy City. Upon those that had part in the
first resurrection, the second death has no power. (
Revelation 20:6
.)
While God is to the wicked a consuming fire, He is to His people both a
sun and a shield. (
Psalm 84:11
.)
And a shout of praise and triumph ascends from the whole loyal
universe. “The voice of a great multitude,” “as the voice of many waters,
and as the voice of mighty thunderings,” is heard, saying, “Alleluia: for
the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
Revelation 19:6
....
The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of
the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the
ransomed the fearful consequences of sin....
All that was lost by sin has been restored.... God’s original purpose
in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of
the redeemed. “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein
for ever.”
Psalm 37:29
.
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