Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/8/2010

Question
We see many wicked prosper. Is it Biblical to  believe that
wicked will get their judgment in this world ALSO before their
death?

Answer
Hi Nihal,

Thanks for this great question.  It is distressing to watch the heathen prosper.  We are not told that they will absolutely be judged in a way we can see before death... but we do know some general rules:

1.  Sin eventually brings death... often an untimely one.

James 1:13-15
13 Let no man say when he is tempted,  I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2.  Destruction will come suddenly upon the one who refuses to repent when given many chances.

Proverbs 29:1

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.  

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

3.  God will let those who refuse to believe truth to self destruct with their own lusts.

Romans 1:24-28
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;   
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.  Again, I am so sorry for my late response.

In Christ
Pastor Don