Destruction (2)

God disapproves of wanton destruction

Of human life

Exodus 20:13 NASB95

“You shall not murder.

See also Ge 4:8–12; Ge 9:5–6; 2 Sa 12:7–10

Of the world in general

Revelation 11:18 NASB95

“And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

As God’s representative on earth human beings are to be good stewards of the creation. They are not to exploit or waste the world, but to care for it:

Ge 1:28; Ge 2:15; Dt 20:19–20

Of spiritual life

Romans 14:15 NASB95

For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

See also 1 Co 8:9–11; 2 Ti 2:17–18; 2 Pe 2:1

Agents of destruction

Satan

Job 1:12–19; Jn 8:44; Jn 10:10

The wicked

Ps 55:11; Pr 1:10–12; Lk 13:1–3

Nature

Mt 6:19; Lk 13:4–5

God himself brings destruction on the wicked

God decrees destruction for sinners

Psalm 37:38 NASB95

But transgressors will be altogether destroyed; The posterity of the wicked will be cut off.

See also Ge 6:5–7; Ps 5:6; Ps 46:8; Is 34:2; Am 1:3–8; Am 2:1–3; Lk 3:9; 1 Jn 3:8

By the forces of nature

Genesis 7:4 NASB95

“For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.”

See also Ge 19:24–25; Dt 28:15–24; Ps 48:7; Eze 5:16; Eze 13:13; Lk 17:29; Re 6:12–14

By means of angels

1 Corinthians 10:10 NASB95

Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

See also Ex 12:23; 2 Sa 24:15–17; 1 Ch 21:12; 2 Ki 19:35; Ac 12:23; Re 7:2–3

By means of human beings

Deuteronomy 7:16 NASB95

“You shall consume all the peoples whom the Lord your God will deliver to you; your eye shall not pity them, nor shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.

See also Nu 21:3; Dt 2:34; Dt 3:6; Dt 28:47–48; Jos 6:21; Jos 8:26; Jos 11:20; Je 25:9

Destruction in the final judgment

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 NASB95

dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

See also Mal 4:1; 2 Th 2:8; Re 17:8; Re 17:11; Re 18:21; Re 20:10; Re 20:14

Destruction is sudden

1 Thessalonians 5:3 NASB95

While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

See also Pr 6:15; Pr 24:21–22; Pr 29:1; Ec 9:12; Is 30:13; Is 47:11; Je 15:8; 2 Pe 3:10

Warnings against the way of destruction

Matthew 7:13 NASB95

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

See also Jos 6:18; 1 Ti 6:9

God keeps his people from destruction

Exodus 12:13 NASB95

‘The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

See also Ps 91:9–10; Ro 8:35–39

God’s kingdom is indestructible

Hebrews 12:28 NASB95

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

See also Ps 46:5; Ps 125:1; Da 2:44

There will be no destruction in the world to come

Isaiah 11:9 NASB95

They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord As the waters cover the sea.

See also Da 7:27; Re 21:3–5; Re 22:15