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Bible Studies/Judgment for wicked

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Expert: - 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.

Thank you for an interesting question that has required some thought on my part!

I think that I may best help you by referring to specific situations as recorded in the Bible.  For example, if we go to the Book of Exodus, and at 12:12, we have the well-known story of the killing of the first-born of the Egyptians, prior to the escape of the Children of Israel from that country in which they had been enslaved for so long.  I would suggest that this was a severe judgement on a nation that had treated the Chosen People as cruelly as the Egyptians had.

Another example from the Old Testament might be Judges 1:6ff.  There we find what could be termed "poetic justice" as Adoni-bezek was treated in the same way in which he confessed to having treated others!  

The Psalmist-king, David, certainly had no compunction about asking for the evildoers to receive a temporal punishment from God (Ps.28:4), but he seems to have recognised that there are those who appear, in this life, to have "got away with it"! (Ps.37:7)  

With the heightened moral code of the New Testament, such examples are not as common.  However, in Acts 5 is the salutory story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira.  I suppose that one could say that their judgement was to immediately enter the after-life!

The bottom line, of course, is that every judgement of God is true and just (see II Thess.1:5, Rev.16:7), and that even those who are disciples of Jesus will be judged, by Him, for the way in which they have served Him in this life (II Cor.5:10) - although they have already passed the "great white throne" (Rev.20:11) because they are covered with the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God.

Blessings

C.Brian Ross (Rev)

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Rev C.Brian Ross

Expertise

I am happy to offer answers to anyone with a question that refers to the Christian Faith in its widest possible sense. I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God, and seek to base all of my life on its teaching. I also have some knowledge of some of the cults, and of Islam and Judaism. Of course, my answers are just one man's thoughts, and I would always advise a questioner to check with others, and with the Word of God.

Experience

Served as a full-time parish minister in Scotland for about six years, and then spent the last thirty as a teacher (now 'retired') of Religious Education in Secondary Comprehensive schools (ages 11-17) while continuing my own preaching and teaching ministry. I also believe that learning is a life-time process, and have recently completed a Master's degree in Divinity.

Organizations
Former Presenter on Revival FM - a local Christian, community radio station, broadcasting in west central Scotland, and online at revival.fm Involved with a number of organisations that support Christians who are currently suffering persecution in some 70 countries around the world. I am currently a Chaplain with Strathclyde Police Force, deployed within 'Q' and 'N' Divisions, and also responsible for the Force Training and Recruitment Centre.

Publications
Various articles in Christian magazines. I also have two blogsites - www.crazyrev.blogspot.com and (with audio messages) www.revcbross.blogspot.com I am currently writing my first book - a lay person's guide to some of the great words of the Christian Faith.

Education/Credentials
Diploma of The Bible Training Institute, Glasgow; Licentiate in Theology of the University of Glasgow; Associateship of The Philosophical Society of England; Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in History from The Open University; Post-grad Certificate of Education - Religious Education and History; Post-grad Certificate in Learning and Teaching; Post-grad Diploma in Management and Learning in Education; Master of Science Degree from the University of Strathclyde; Master of Divinity Degree (with Distinction) from Trinity College and Seminary (accredited by the University of Liverpool)

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