Controversy Ended
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the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy
of Zion.”
Isaiah 34:8
.
The wicked receive their recompense in the earth.
Proverbs 11:31
.
They “shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up,
saith the Lord of hosts.”
Malachi 4:1
. 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 full penalty
of the law has been visited; the demands of justice have been met; and
heaven and earth, beholding, declare the righteousness of Jehovah.
Satan’s work of ruin is forever ended. For six thousand years
he has wrought his will, filling the earth with woe and causing grief
throughout the universe. The whole creation has groaned and travailed
together in pain. Now God’s creatures are forever delivered from his
presence and temptations. “The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet:
they [the righteous] break forth into singing.”
Isaiah 14:7
. 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
.
While the earth was wrapped in the fire of destruction, the righteous
abode safely in the Holy City. Upon those that had part in the first
resurrection, the second death has no power. While God is to the
wicked a consuming fire, He is to His people both a sun and a shield.
Revelation 20:6
;
Psalm 84:11
.
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“I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the
first earth were passed away.”
Revelation 21:1
. 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.
One reminder alone remains: Our Redeemer will ever bear the
marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side,
His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin