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© 2022 Bert Davidson
Chapter 6: Perishing as a Judicial Act of God
Perishing is the result of being sentenced by God Himself on account of the evil deeds committed.
We have seen not only is man accountable to God for all his earthly deeds, but God’s verdict on the basis of those works is man is unrighteous, ungodly, unjust, and depraved; there are no exceptions. This verdict necessitates a sentence, for justice must be served.
There is a critical difference between a man exploring a mountainous area and falling into a pit, and his being found guilty of certain criminal offenses and sentenced to live in that pit. The former is a misfortune; the latter is a penal consequence. The one is an accident; the other an act of justice.
The word “perish” used in John 3:16 means to be “destroyed” or “ruined.” And the teaching of Jesus and His apostles make it clear what is in view is being “ruined” or “destroyed” in a place called hell. Hell is described using terms such as “penalty,” “sentence”, “punishment”, “repay”, “judgment”, and “retribution”, thereby clearly indicating its judicial character. Consider the many scriptures detailing the end of unrighteous men.
- These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction. 2 Thessalonians 1:9
- How will you escape the sentence of hell? Matthew 23:33
- These will go away into eternal punishment. Matthew 25:46
- How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God Hebrews 10:29
- It is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you … dealing out retribution to those who do not know God. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8
- But do you suppose this, O man, … that you will escape the judgment of God? … But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds … to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil. Romans 2:3-9
- The Lord knows how … to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment. 2 Peter 2:9
- But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:7
These verses make it clear perishing is a judicial act of God against sinners for their evil works. When we are told “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish,” it is stating God loved the world by taking a step to spare man the judgment God Himself was obligated in justice to impose. The exact nature of this sentence is revealed in scripture, and will be delineated in upcoming chapters. What is being established here is the judicial character of perishing.
Perishing consist of being punished by God on account of the wrongs committed. It is a judicial sentence that flows from a verdict that you and all mankind, without exception, are murderous, deceitful, rebellious, and evil. John 3:16 is stating God’s love has been revealed by His taking a step to save you from His judgment — a judgment He Himself as the righteous Judge is obligated in justice to impose.
from The Judgment God Desires to Withhold
© 2022 Bert Davidson
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