THE TERRIBLE STORM!SECTION THREE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES IS "WRATH" EVER USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, IN RELATION TO GOD? There are two words for "wrath" in the Greek New Testament. They are orge and thumos. Both are applied to God and indicate divine displeasure, punishing action, and retribution. The first of these, orge, is used thirty-six times in the New Testament; and over twenty of these are in reference to divine wrath. Liddell and Scott tell us that the word indicates "temperament, disposition, mood" (Greek-English Lexicon, II, p. 1246).Here are five Bible passages in which this word, orge, is found: "And when He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand." Mark 3:5. "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thy self wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God." Romans 2:5. "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Romans 5:9. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." Romans 1:18. "And (the wicked) said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Revelation 6:16-17 (cf. Rom 4:15; 9:22; Rev 11:18). "Heaven stands indignant at the neglect shown to the souls of men. Would we know how Christ regards it? . . How would a father and mother feel, did they know that their child, lost in the cold and the snow, had been passed by, and left to perish, by those who might have saved it? . . Would they not denounce those murderers with wrath hot as their tears, intense as their love? The sufferings of every man are the sufferings of Gods child, and those who reach out no helping hand to their perishing fellow beings provoke His righteous anger. This is the wrath of the Lamb." Desire of Ages, 825. The second of these words is thumos , and is used eighteen times in the New Testament. About one-half of these refer to the divine wrath of God. Lidell and Scott tell us that this type of wrath is keyed to emotion, strong feeling, and passion. The well-known New Testament Greek scholar, R.C. Trench, describes this kind of wrath as "the boiling agitation of the feelings" (Synonyms of the New Testament, p. 131). On the part of God, it is a holy wrath, a blazing out of anger against sin and those who cling to it and hurt their fellow creatures.Here are examples of this word, thumos, in the New Testament: "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." Revelation 15:1. "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."Revelation 16:1. "And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God." Revelation 14:19. In some instances, the two Greek words are used together, thus strengthening even more the intensity of the thought of Gods wrath against those who stubbornly cling to sin and seek to hurt and injure their fellow man: "But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation (thumos) and wrath (orge)." Romans 2:8. "And great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness (thumos) of His wrath (orge)." Revelation 16:19. "And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness (thumos) and wrath (orge) of Almighty God." Revelation 19:15. Part of the Third Angels Message: "The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath (thumos) of God, which is poured out without mixture (full strength, not diluted] into the cup of His indignation (orge) [literally, wine of the wrath of God . . into the cup of His wrath]; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."Revelation 14:10. "By terrible things in righteousness He will vindicate the authority of His downtrodden law. The severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor may be judged by the Lords reluctance to execute justice."Great Controversy, 627. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF 1 SAMUEL 2:6? "The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up . . The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall He thunder upon them; the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and He shall give strength unto His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed." 1 Samuel 2:6, 10. "See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with Me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of My hand." Deuteronomy 32:39. In both of these passages, the word "kill" is translated from the Hebrew word for "to die"; and both are used in the verb form for "to bring to death or execute death." Interestingly enough, a different Hebrew word is frequently used when speaking about violent death brought on by man rather than by God. The Hebrew word used in the Sixth Commandment is a different word and means "to murder." It is not wrong for God to execute death upon the incorrigibly wicked. He does it (1) as a mercy to them, in their miserable lives; (2) as a mercy to those around them whose lives are made miserable by their presence; and (3) as a warning to those who have not yet exceeded their probation. But only our Creator can decide who shall receive this sentence. No one else can justly make a correct decision in the matter. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JUDGMENTS? Who is responsible for these judgments upon the wicked, which were carried out by the Israelites? For example, who was it that directed the Israelites to kill Achan? According to the Bible, it was God who told them to do this (Joshua 7:15), which they then did (7:25; cf. Patriarchs and Prophets, 494-498). It was God who gave order to His people to stone to death the incorrigibly wicked. This is clear both from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. Here are additional passages to read as you have opportunity: Great Controversy, pp. 48, 503-504, 523, 537, 539-543, 627, 634, 637-638, 653, 654, 656-657, 666, 667, 668, 670-671, 672-673, 674. Early Writings, pp. 54, 158, 178, 221, 289, 290, 291, 294-295. Story of Redemption, pp. 428-430. Before Jehovah's awful throne,
Wide as the world is His command, AS A CONDITION OF LIFE, MAN MUST OBEY GODS LAW "God placed man under law, as an indispensable condition of his very existence. "Patriarchs and Prophets, 49. "Satan tempts men and women to disobey, with the promise that in disobedience they will find liberty and freedom that will make them as gods." Prophets and Kings, 178. "Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him." Isaiah 3:10-11. "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself." Proverbs 5:22. "They have sown the wind; they shall reap the whirlwind." 1 Testimonies, 269. "Obedience, perfect and perpetual, was the condition of eternal happiness." Patriarchs and Prophets, 49. "To transgress His law, physical, mental, or moral, is to place ones self out of harmony with the universe, to introduce discord, anarchy, ruin." Education, 100. "Men will surely set up their laws to counterwork the laws of God . . The warfare against Gods law, which was begun in heaven, will be continued until the end of time. Every man will be tested. Obedience or disobedience is the question to be decided by the whole world. All will be called to choose between the law of God and the laws of men. Here the dividing line will be drawn. There will be but two classes. Every character will be fully developed; and all will show whether they have chosen the side of loyalty or that of rebellion. "Then the end will come [when the fire falls after the millennium]. God will vindicate His law and deliver His people. Satan and all who joined him in rebellion will be cut off. Sin and sinners will perish, root and branch (Mal 4:1)Satan the root, and his followers the branches. The word will be fulfilled to the prince of evil . . I will destroy thee, O covering cherub . . Thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more. Then the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be; they shall be as though they had not been. Ezekiel 28:6-19; Psalm 37:10; Obadiah 16. "This is not an act of arbitrary power on the part of God. The rejecters of His mercy reap that which they have sown. God is the fountain of life; and when one chooses the service of sin, he separates from God, and thus cuts himself off from life. He is alienated from the life of God. Christ says, All they that hate Me love death. Ephesians 4:18; Proverbs 8:36. God gives them existence for a time that they may develop their character and reveal their principles. This accomplished, they receive the results of their own choice." Desire of Ages, 764. HAVING TO TAKE THE KNIFE Calvary brings infinite good to all the universe, without exception. But it cost an infinite sacrifice, by the Godhead, in order to make this possible. It cost them an agony that none else will ever be able to fully grasp. And, as it were, the Fathers knife was raised to slay His own Son. For He took the part of Judge and gave the cup of wrath to His Son to drink. Although Abrahams hand was stayed, the Godhead went all the way through with the agony to the end, which was the death of the Son and later the death of those who reject Him. Thank God for such a wonderful love, a love that for our sakes goes through this most difficult experience, all the way to the end. THE LAST MESSAGE OF MERCY The last message of mercy is a call from a God of love. And the call is both an invitation and a warning. It is given because He loves us. The last message of mercy is a call to come back to Gods forgiveness and to His love before it is too late. The last message of mercy is a call to obey Him and, by His grace, become like Him so we may be sheltered in the coming storm.Repeatedly, we are told that the threefold message of the angels is the final message to mankind. And, in a parallel passage, we are told that the last message of mercy to a dying world is a message of Gods love. The warning message may seem severe; but He has to give it in order to wake us up, that we may return and not be lost. And as repentant souls all over the world learn of this message, they reply, "God loves me enough to send me a warning. It breaks me down to think of it. He loves me enough to warn me before it is too late. I shall respond to His love by coming back to Him." Precious souls for whom Christ died see the love in the warning. They see that it was given in mercy. The last message is a message of mercy, a message of love. Read it: Revelation 14:6-12. THE JUDGE WILL EXECUTE THE JUDGMENT Christ voluntarily suffered under the wrath of God, unmixed with mercy, in order to deliver man from sin. Christ bore this wrath on our behalf (5BC 1103); for Gods wrath against transgression fell upon Him (DA 743, 753). God the Father assumed the character of Judge toward Christ, in Gethsemane, and withdrew His usual tenderness toward Him (TM 246). Christ drank the cup of wrath (DA 642), unmixed with mercy (TM 246), so that the world might escape it.He who went through this experience in order to save man is the One who has been appointed to finally give that cup of wrath, unmixed with mercy, to the finally impenitent wicked (read GC 621). They were previously offered a way out, an escape from eternal death, but they consistently refused it. And the One who offered them the mercy is the One assigned to give them the cup of wrath. This is the fairness of God. A fairness without equal. The work of Judgment belongs to the Lord alone (AA 216) . . and is the responsibility of Christ alone to carry out (COL 74). Christ took humanity that He might become mans Judge (9T 185). It should be understood that man is not the judge (DA 314) and neither are the angels (9T 185). Only Christ can be mans Judge (9T 185), and He alone has been appointed to execute the Judgment upon the wicked (DA 210; GC 666; SR 422). In the Investigative Judgment, God the Father presides (GC 421) while Jesus appears as our High Priest, our Advocate, and the One to individually perform the work of examination and passing of judgment upon the life of each of His professed followers (GC 419-480). He does not become Supreme Judge until His priestly work in the Sanctuary is completed (7BC 989). In the Executive Judgment, God the Father will not be mans Judge; Jesus has been assigned this work (9T 185). Christ has been appointed to execute the Judgment (DA 210). Satins part in this Judgment will be exposed; and he will suffer as a result of Christ's act of Judgment (GC 669; PP 338-339). Satan will not "assist" in the work of Judgment; only God who is perfectly fair and honest as a judge will do this work. Satan, the liar from the beginning, could do nothing fairly. Christ is the Judge during the millennium (EW 290; GC 660-661) and at the close of the millennium (EW 52-54; 291294; GC 666-673; SR 421-4291). THE SINNER WHO IS DESTROYED WILL HAVE DESTROYED HIMSELF The responsibility for the destruction of the impenitent sinner lies at his own door. God will execute the sentence of death upon the wicked. He will carry it out; but those who die are responsible for their own deaths. By his persistent refusal to repent, the sinner destroys himself (COL 84-85). God arbitrarily destroys no man; it was the choice of that man himself. Heaven, in mercy, gave him what he had spent a lifetime asking for. Every transgression brings punishment (1 SM 235). This punishment is proportional to the amount of light that has been received and rejected (PK 425; 4T 165). The sinner brings punishment upon himself (1 SM 235; 6BC 1110). For this reason, some of the wicked will receive more punishment than others (EW 294; GC 673); and Satan will receive the most (EW 294-295; GC 613). In this probationary life, God often permits sin to be punished with sin (PP 728); but the final punishment of the wicked is a definite act of God Himself ((they will not kill themselves). It is Gods strange act (PP 628). God frequently uses natural laws as His instruments (PP 114); but the final destruction of sin will be His direct act, by His igniting of the fire, sending it down from heaven, and then drawing up burning fossil fuels from beneath the earth to its surface (7BC 946-947; PP 108-110; EW 54; 52; 294; GC 672-673; 3BC 1142). THE FINAL STORM IS COMING There are reasons why God did not immediately destroy sin as soon as it began (COL 72; DA 759; Ed 308; GC 498-499; PP 41-43; 1 SM 341). And there are reasons why the existence of sin has been continued since Christ's death (DA 161, 164). But God will not always be mocked (5T 234). He only gives so much time. The day is coming when He will step in and cut things short. As in all ages, when matters come to a crisis, God will interpose (COL 178). A careful reading of Great Controversy will reveal that these judgments from God are greatly intensified after the close of probation; and truly, as we are told, they are "unmixed with mercy" (GC 629, 621). Vengeance and retributive judgments immediately begin to be poured out. The storm has then begun in full fury. God does not wait until later to initiate it. To say it another way: In a very definite sense, Gods final judgments against sin begin as soon as human probation ends. It is at that time that the Battle of Armageddon begins, a battle between God and Satan and his followers. The millennium provides an interlude during which the Sentencing Judgment take place. Then the wicked are raised, the Executive Judgment occurs, and the battle is forever ended. WHEN THE WRATH BEGINS At the close of probation, Jesus ceases His ministry as our High Priest, Advocate, and Examiner of the entries in the Book of Life (GC 613-614); and He puts off His priestly robes and clothes Himself in His garments of vengeance (EW 280-281). He is at that time appointed the Supreme Judge by the Father (7BC 989). Throughout most of human history, His judgments have been mingled with mercy; for they have been sent to awaken men to repent and flee from the wrath to come. But after probation closes, His judgments upon the wicked are no longer mingled with mercy (GC 629). This wrath is especially shown in the seven last plagues that are poured out upon the wicked after probation ceases (GC 627); and, in the destructions that occur, His voice sounds, delivering His people (GC 636-638). Again, this wrath is evidenced at His Second Coming to earth (PP 338341). And, finally, it will be manifest in the Final Execution of the Judgment at the close of the millennium, when He rains fire from heaven upon the wicked. THE PRESENCE OF GOD HIMSELF IS A CONSUMING FIRE TO THE WICKED God is a consuming fire to sin , wherever it is found (MB 62); He is a consuming fire to the wicked (GC 673) and a devouring fire to the transgressors of His law (GC 654). The glory of His presence is as a flame of fire (4T 151-152), as a devouring fire (PP 339)."The whole earth shall be ablaze with the terrible light of His presence." Patriarchs and Prophets, 339. "God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29; Deuteronomy 4:24. "Our God shall come and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him." Psalm 50:3. "For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire." Isaiah 66:15. "A fire goeth before Him and burneth up His enemies round about." Psalm 97:3. "Judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." Hebrews 10:27. "When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming." 2 Thessalonians 2:8. SODOM WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE FROM HEAVEN The destruction of Sodom by fire from God is a type of the final destruction of the wicked (2 Peter 2:4-9; Jude 6-11). We are told, in detail in Patriarchs and Prophets, 38-140; 157-167, how this destruction was carried out. Angels of God (including Christ) were sent to investigate and see whether it should be destroyed (GC 63; PP 139).Angels drew near on their mission of destruction (PP 157). Compare these striking passages: The destruction of Sodom (PP 156-170) was sudden and unexpected (PP 162); but, when God destroyed it, it was an act of mercy (GC 543). The destruction was caused by fire from heaven (EW 45; GC 431; GW 126; PK 297) and fire and brimstone rained from heaven (PP 162; TM 75; 1 SM 63). This destructive act of the God of Heaven was called fiery blasts (7T 89) and balls of fire (5BC 1122), and it stands as a warning to future generations that it will happen again (PP 162-165; 5T 232-233). It was an example of how the wicked will finally be destroyed (Jude 7; 2 Peter 2:6; cf. 2:4-9). Consider the vivid statements in GC 543 and TM 75. The world today is fast becoming a Sodom and preparing for a like destruction from God (4BC 1144, 1161; CH 112; Ed 228; DA 122; FE 286, 317; GW 125-126; PP 167; 5T 218; 8T 49: 9T 43; TM 457). In the outpouring of His wrath, balls of fire will again fall (Ev 29; 9T 28; Ev 43; WM 136-137). THE DAY OF GODS VENGEANCE "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay."Romans 12: 19 (also see: Heb 10:30; Deut 32:35; Ps 94:1-2; 2 Thess 1:8). God takes no delight in vengeance (PP 139; 628); the day is near when it shall come (GC 48; 673). But it is for God to take vengeance, not man (2BC 1022; Ed 257). Christ shall put off His priestly robes and put on His garments of vengeance at the close of His Sanctuary ministry, when human probation ends (5T 690). GODS STRANGE WORK "That He may do His work, His strange work, and bring to pass His act, His strange act."Isaiah 28:21. It will be the outpouring of His wrath on the wicked (2 SM 373). The work of destruction, by God, is a strange act to Him; it is not the usual way He works, but it must be done (COL 190). A careful reading of the Spirit of Prophecy indicates that Gods strange work includes more than the final destruction of the wicked. It appears that all of His judgments, unmingled with mercy, are part of this strange act (GC 627the seven last plagues; PP 628destruction of the Amalekites; PP 139the destruction of Sodom). A large number of such acts begin at the close of probation (GC 629; 627; 2 SM 372-373)and that is not very far off! We have a warning to give! This strange act is also called "the day of wrath" (Rom 2:5); "judgment and fiery indignation" (Heb 10:27); "vengeance . . wrath . . indignation . . anger . . fury" (Nahum 1:2, 3, 5-6); "repayment" (Deut 7:9-10); the "time of thy visitation" (Luke 19:44), THE DAY OF VISITATION The day of judgment from God, in Scripture, is frequently called the "day of visitation" the day when God visits with His judgments. Check this out in a good concordance and see what you find; there are over a dozen passages. The time is near when the day of Gods visitation shall come to mankind (5T 209). And when it does, it will be in a more pronounced manner than has been seen for thousands of years.RETRIBUTIVE JUDGMENT A terrible retribution is awaiting the sinner (GC 627). Gods retributive justice is about to descend upon them (4T 489) just as retributive vengeance fell upon apostasy in the past (GC 25).THE WAGES OF SIN "Sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4) and "the wages of sin is death" (Rom 6:23). The soul that sins shall die, and it shall be an everlasting deathand then shall the wrath of God against sin be appeased (EW 51; 218). The wages of sin is death (PP 61; 341; EW 294; GC 668; 1 SM 220; 4T 363). It is the end of transgression (4T 363). These wages of sin will be the wrath of God and the second death (2T 210). These wages will be paid to them, in full, just before the fire falls (GC 668; EW 294; GC 668; 1 SM 220; 4T 363).THE FINAL REWARDS The righteous receive their reward at the Second Coming of Christ (6T 305-306). It will be eternal life (SL 76). But the sinners reward will be the second death (1 SM 220); and it will be received after the millennium (7BC 986-987; EW 290-291; GC 666-673). This is what it will include: [1] Sufferings (EW 294; GC 673) and terrible pains (5T 620). [2] Consumed by the fire (EW 52-54; 294-295; GC 485-486). [3] Deprived of existence by it (GC 544). [4] Sink into hopeless and eternal oblivion (GC 544-545). Satan and his followers will die an everlasting death (EW 295). And, equally important [5], Sin will never arise a second time anywhere in the universe (GC 504). WHEN MERCY CEASES We are warned against resisting Gods pleadings of mercy (GC 361); for they ceased for the antediluvians when Noah entered the ark (PP 98). Christs mercy is also a terrible power to punish sinners (7BC 935). Let none deceive himself that God will in mercy save the rejecters of His grace (SC 31); for the cities of the plain (Gen 19:24-29) are an example to us, that Gods justice does not eclipse His mercy (1T 23-24). Even the destruction of sinners is an act of mercy on the part of God (GC 543). Men depend every day and hour upon His pardoning mercy (5T 170). A mixture of judgment and mercy is used to bring sinners to repentance (2T 423), but the voice of mercy will be heard only a little while longer (9T 146); for the time is near when it will no longer be heard (1T 153). Gods judgments are mingled with mercy prior to the close of probation (GC 629); but the offers of mercy are withdrawn when the limits of sin have been reached by the sinner (PP 162-165). Gods forbearance will cease when iniquity has reached a stated boundary of mercy (5T 524). The door of mercy will be forever shut when probation closes (DA 636; GC 613-614). After its close Gods wrath, unmixed with mercy, will be poured out (GC 629). The wicked desired separation from God; so they will receive separation from God, which is eternal death.HE SENDS OUT HIS FIRE AND DESTROYS As has been earlier mentioned, the destruction of Sodom and the cities of the plain (Gen 19:24-29) are an example to us of the final destruction of the wicked (2 Peter 2:4-9; Jude 7). "The flames that consumed the cities of the plain shed their warning light down even to our time" (PP 162). And the cities of the earth today are fast becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah (Ev 30). But there are other incidents when God sent fire from the skies, or from heaven, and destroyed the wicked in Bible times. Do not forget the judgments of God against Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10; PP 359). Then there is the judgment on Korah's company (Num 16:35; PP 401). Fire flashing from the cloud consumed 250 men (PP 401). We are told that judgments such as these are just and that they will come again. Because of this, we are not to express sympathy.
"Those who destroy the effect of the warning by blinding the eyes of sinners to the real character and results of sin often flatter themselves that they thus give evidence of their charity; but they are working directly to oppose and hinder the work of Gods Holy Spirit; they are lulling the sinner to rest on the brink of destruction;
Then there were the judgments on the wicked men who sought Elijah (2 Kgs 1:10, 12; PP 208). The wrath of God fell upon them in judgment (PP 208). Here are six other instances in which God sent fire, usually from heaven or from the skies, and destroyed the wicked: Patriarchs and Prophets, 71, 348, 359; and Prophets and Kings, 37, 45, 153, 335. In the case of four of these, "the fire came down from heaven" (PP 71; PK 37, 45, 153, 335). IN THIS TIME OF PROBATION, GOD USES FIRE AS A WARNING JUDGMENT God uses fire to chasten His people (8T 102) and to warn earths inhabitants (9T 97). In fact, He uses it repeatedly to warn men on earth to repent and prepare for Christ's soon return (LS 412-414), especially in these last hours before probation closes (PK 278). At the touch of His hand, fireproof buildings are destroyed by fire (8T 99); and He uses fire to destroy entire cities that are wicked (Ev 27; 7BC 946; PP 109). Satan has so much control over these profligate cities that this is the reason that God must destroy them with fire (1 SM 269).CAN SATAN BRING DOWN FIRE? We have seen many examples of the fact that God, Himself, uses fire as a warning and as a punishment, in past ages, in our day, and in the final windup of earths history that is just ahead. But to what degree can Satan produce fire and send it upon people? (1) On his own, Satan may be able to cause fires to break out, as God permits. These are natural fires. But because Satan can do this, we cannot sidestep the fact that God has also done it in the past, is doing it now, and will do it again in the future. (2) Satan can miraculously produce fire. What is this fire and how does he produce it? The prophecy of Revelation 13:13 is applied to Satan several times. We are told that he and his agents will "bring fire down from heaven"; the context explains what this means. This fire will not be real fire, but a "lying wonder" in imitation of the genuine, in every case in which it is described in the Spirit of Prophecy. Consider the following passages:
"Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down fire." The fire he brings down is only in their sight; it can be seen, like the magicians serpents in Egypt. But that is all, for it is not real.
Then we are told how Satan does these various miracles: by an appearance only.
Only Bible truth will enable us not to be deceived by the lying wonders, when they occur. You may recall that the children at Lourdes, France, who claimed to have seen an apparition (vision) of the Virgin Mary, also said they saw the sun dancing in the sky. "Be not drawn from the voice of God in His Word. Let nothing divert the mind. The wonderful, the marvelous, will be represented and presented. Through satanic delusions, wonderful miracles, the claims of human agents [of Satan!] will be urged. Beware of all this." 2 Selected Messages, 49. "There is to be among Gods people no spiritual stupidity. Evil spirits are actively engaged in seeking to control the minds of human beings . . Those who discard Christ and His righteousness will accept the sophistry that is flooding the world . . Men under the influence of evil spirits will work miracles. They will make people sick by casting their spell upon them, and will then remove the spell, leading others to say that those who were sick have been wonderfully healed. This Satan has done again and again. We need not be deceived. Wonderful scenes, with which Satan will be closely connected, will soon take place. Gods Word declares that Satan will work miracles. He will make people sick, and then will suddenly remove from them his satanic power. They will then be regarded as healed. These [are] works of apparent healing." 2 Selected Messages, 53. Satan's agents, with their pretended miracles, do not have the great power of God. "On the contrary, it is the miracle-working power of the great deceiver. He is a transgressor of the moral law, and employs every device that he can master to blind men to its true character. We are warned that in the last days he will work with signs and lying wonders. And he will continue these wonders until the close of probation." 2 Selected Messages, 51. "We are coming right upon the time when Satan is to work with all manner of bewitching influences, and those who are charmed with them now, or give them the least countenance now, will be all ready to be swept right in to act a part with the devil then. Evil angels are working all the time upon the hearts of men. Satan is working with everyone who is not under the control of the Spirit of God. It is the lying wonders of the devil that will take the world captive, and he will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men. He is to work miracles; and this wonderful, miracle-working power is to sweep in the whole world." 2 Selected Messages, 51. "The man who makes the working of miracles the test of his faith will find that Satan can, through a species of deceptions, perform wonders that will appear to be genuine miracles. It was this [that] he hoped to make a test question with the Israelites at the time of their deliverance from Egypt." 2 Selected Messages, 52. Those deceived by Satan, those not remaining by the Word of God-are the ones most likely to witness these counterfeit miracles.
In the next paragraph, we are told that false Adventists will bring down some of this imitation fire.
In summary, then, we see that (1) Satan will be permitted to bring down "fire from heaven"; but it is an imitation fire that cannot hurt or injure anyone. (2) This is the kind of fire that is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Revelation 13:13. (3) This fire is brought down directly by Satan or through his agents. (4) This fire is brought down, not as a destructive power, but to charm and captivate the peoples attention. We are not once told that this satanic "fire from heaven" will be able to damage, maim, or destroy. This is not the purpose in bringing it down. Indeed, it could not injure, anyway; for it is only magic fire (apparent fire), nothing more. Therefore, the "fire from heaven" in the final judgment does not, and could not come from Satan! NATURAL DISASTERS THAT WILL COME FROM SATAN Satan's "fire from heaven" cannot destroy because it is not real; but he can bring disaster and destruction in other ways: When God permits, Satan can bring disease, disaster, accidents, fire setting, storms, floods, tidal waves, earthquakes, and pestilence. He is doing this now; and he will do it at the time he appears on earth, in personation of Christ (GC 589-590). After the close of probation, Satan will bring destructive acts in a still more intensified form (GC 614). THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES WILL BE A SERIES OF JUDGMENTS FROM GOD In a passage separate to the one referred to above, describing Satan's disasters, we are told of the seven last plagues (GC 627-630); they will come as a direct judgment from God. We are never told, anywhere, that the seven last plagues will come through the power or instrumentality of Satan. On the contrary, we are told that (1) God will use the forces of nature in this work (PP 509), (2) the plagues will unveil Satan's deceptions (EW 266), and that (3) the wrath of God is revealed in them (GC 627; EW 289, 64). The wrath of God and His Strange Act against the wicked begin on a massive scale at the close of probation, when Christ's ministry in the Sanctuary is completed (GC 629; 627). This wrath will end at the time of their final destruction, the day of the Lords vengeance (GC 672-673; SR 428-429), when the wicked are finally blotted out. At that time His justice will be fully satisfied. You and I know little of the terrible wickedness that men and devils have done against Gods innocent ones for thousands of years. It will require their death to satisfy Gods justice in this matter. For more on Gods responsibility in sending the seven last plagues, read Revelation 15:3-16:21. FROM THE CLOSE OF PROBATION ON DOWN TO THE FINAL DESTRUCTION A key point in all of this is what and who is responsible for the death of the wicked in the last days. Is it God or Satan or wicked men? And most specifically, who causes the death of the wicked at the Second Advent of Christ and, again, when the wicked are finally blotted out of existence after the millennium? Here is a suggestive analysis of what is ahead: WHAT SPECIFIC DISASTERS WILL CAUSE THE DEATH OF THE WICKED BETWEEN THE CLOSE OF PROBATION AND THE TIME OF THE VOICE OF GOD? Before the Close of Probation: Judgments of God are sent as retribution to the wicked for the terrible injuries they bring to the righteous (7BC 946). Warning judgments are also sent to bring men back to Him (PK 278; LS 412-414); but these usually result only in the loss of property, not death. Natural disasters sent as judgments from God would include lesser disasters before the close of probation (PK 278; 7BC 946; 9T 97) and major disasters before and after the close of probation (MYP 89:2-90; Ev 27). After the Close of Probation: Intensified disasters from Satan (GC 614-615; 623) and the seven last plagues from God (GC 627-630; EW 289; COL 286-287). Natural disasters from God will occur when He delivers His people by the Voice of God sounding from heaven (GC 635-638) and afterward, till the Second Advent. WHAT WILL CAUSE THE DEATH OF THE WICKED AFTER THE VOICE OF GOD? Natural destructions will be sent as judgments by God (COL 286-287; PP 109); both passages also refer to earlier events and continuation of the plagues). Savage fighting among men (EW 289-290; GC 655657). Lightnings which He sends from heaven, uniting with fire in the earth, will cause volcanoes, explosions, and earthquakes (7BC 946; probably beginning at the Voice of God). WHAT SPECIFIC DISASTERS WILL CAUSE THE DEATH OF THE WICKED AT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST? Some deaths occurred as a result of fighting by the wicked against one another (GC 655657). But we would not consider that a disaster. This fighting, which began at the Voice of God (EW 289-290), ceases as they see the Son of Man drawing near to the earth. Seeing it, their silence changes to intense fear and a crying to the rocks to cover them and hide them from His presence (GC 642). They are too frightened by His presence to return to their bickering and anger with one another. There are convulsions of nature which are caused by the Second Advent (PP 340-341; GC 641). Some of these may cause death. The brightness of Christ's presence is a devouring fire before Him and appears to be the primary event destroying the wicked before the millennium (PP 338-340; GC 642). Just before the second coming of Christ and the end of the world, God will send lightnings from heaven which will kindle fossil fuel fires that will cover the earth (PP 109-110). This event is referred to in GC 638 and possibly 637 and 639; thus it may also be occurring, to a partial degree, a little before the Second Advent. WHAT WILL CAUSE THE DEATH OF THE WICKED AT THEIR FINAL DESTRUCTION? The following listing includes actual causes of the death of the wicked after the millennium, as well as some earlier judgments against the wicked:
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST PARALLELS THE FINAL DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED IN SEVERAL WAYS 1. Prior to both, the wicked try to blot the righteous from existence, but without success. 2. SC (Second Coming): At the Voice of God, the wicked give up the attempt and realize the truth of the situation. FD (Final Death of the Wicked): At the appearance of Christ above the City, a final clear understanding of their undone condition is given to the wicked. 3. SC: The wicked then turn in fierce anger upon one another, and especially upon the religious leaders. This results in death to an untold number. FD: When the wicked then turn upon their religious leaders, and especially upon Satan, we are not told that there is any loss of life by this action. All of the issues in the great controversy are now settled and understood; so the fire immediately falls. It is the fire that slays them, not combat. And the amount of punishment, in this fire, that each would receive will be carefully determined in the sentencing judgment during the millennium. 4. SC: God executes the judgment by sending fire from heaven that kindles fossil fuel on earth; the wicked are slain amid a sheet of flame covering the earth and the brightness of Christ's glorious presence. Satan and his angels are permitted to remain alive through this event. FD: The issues in the great controversy are then understood, the fire falls from heaven and unites with fire from beneath the earth, and each wicked creature suffers only a just amount and no more. This fire then purifies the earth. GOD HAS USED HIS ANGELS TO PUNISH THE WICKED "The angels of heaven witnessed every movement made against their loved Commander [at His trial before Annas]. They longed to deliver Christ. Under God the angels are all-powerful. On one occasion, in obedience to the command of Christ, they slew of the Assyrian army in one night one hundred and eighty-five thousand men. How easily could the angels, beholding the shameful scene of the trial of Christ, have testified their indignation by consuming the adversaries of God!"Desire of Ages, 700. "We are informed in Scripture as to the number, and the power and glory, of the heavenly beings, of their connection with the government of God, and also of their relation to the work of redemption . . As Gods messengers they go forth, like the appearance of a flash of lightning, so dazzling their glory, and so swift their flight. The angel that appeared at the Saviour's tomb, his countenance like lightning, and his raiment white as snow, caused the keepers for fear of him to quake,
For more information on this subject, read the following: Earthquakes caused by the angels of God (DA 780; ML 20; SR 231; 9T 92-93). Judgments of God executed by "His angels" (TM 431). Sodom destroyed (DA 500; GC 632; PP 157; SR 78-79; 3 SG 103). Judgments already at work in the land (9T 93; TM 431). Men who spoke falsely (1T 202) and the firstborn in Egypt were killed (DA 51; PP 279-280; GC 614; SD 227; SR 118; 1T 265; 4T 25). Herod Agrippa (AA 151-152). God caused the plague of hail in Egypt (PP 269) and pestilence in Israel (PP 748). Gods wrath will be poured out on earth again. Angels are messengers sent from the throne of God to do His will. In this world, they seek to draw men to Christ. They also protect those who love Him: Heb 1:14; Gen 24:7, 40; Ex 23:20, 23; 33:2; Num 20:16; 1 Kgs 19:5; Ps 34:7; 91:11-12; Matt 4:6; Isa 63:9; Dan 6:22; Acts 5:19-20; 12:7-10. Are these not beautiful and comforting passages? Another work that has been given to the angels is to punish the wicked who hate God and try to oppress and destroy His people. Here are some examples:
USING METAPHORS TO SET ASIDE TRUTH There is a false teaching that has been advanced in an effort to teach the concept that God has nothing to do with the final destruction of the wicked. An individual in Australia (Fred Wright) has been prominent in this work. He attempts to rewrite the final destruction of wicked men, by applying a Bible metaphor, as though it were literal. Here is the passage:
Several theories have been developed as to how the wicked will finally be destroyed. One is an attempt to portray the final end of the wicked as being caused by international warfare that will develop into a global atomic holocaust. Another theory is that the sun will accidentally blow up just then. Another is that a black hole will accidentally pass near the earth and slay the wicked. These ridiculous theories are invented in a desperate attempt to explain how the wicked will finally die; since, according to the "God cannot kill anyone" theory, the wicked must somehow die and God really doesn't have the capacity to destroy the wicked, though it must somehow be done. Another theory is based on a false interpretation of Ezekiel 28:17-19: All the fire that destroys the wicked will issue forth in some magical way (not caused by God) from the body of Satan. That fire will kill Satan and then spread, killing all the wicked angels and people.
Here are several reasons why Ezekiel 28:18 is inadequate to explain away the Bible truth, that God executes the final judgment by sending fire down from heaven: (1) Such a view is contrary to dozens of Bible-Spirit of Prophecy statements. One passage is never to be twisted to explain away a multitude of other texts. (2) This fantastic theory was devised to show that God kills no one. But the verse says that God causes the fire to come out of Satan! So, if the verse is to be taken literally, then God causes the death of Satan. He kills him. (3) According to the theory, Satan dies first, and everyone around him watches him go up in smoke (Eze 28:17-19). That means he suffers the least from the fire, having died the quickest. He suffers the least for his sins. This is contrary to Scripture. (4) If this verse is to be interpreted literally, then the fire only kills Satan and none of the onlookers. The wicked stand around watching him die. They are terrified at his death; for, as the passage says, never shall he be anymore (Eze 28:19). (5) If Ezekiel 28:17-19 is literal, before the fire is drawn out of him, Satan will lie down before the kings that are there (Eze 28:17). The wisdom of mans speculations is foolishness with God; and it ought to be foolishness with us also. (6) According to Scripture, real fire destroys the wicked. But this theory is based on destruction by a magical fire. What is the actual meaning of this passage? (1) Ezekiel 28:18 is actually a metaphor and is couched amid other nearby metaphors. The "fire" is a symbol of Satan's wickedness. And this fact alone should alert us to the truth of the matter. (2) Here are some other examples of Bible metaphors about the final death of the wicked, which we do not try to apply literally: The wicked are not literally bound up into bundles and then burned (Matt 13:30) or bound and then cast into outer darkness, without being burned up (Matt 22:13). Education, 144-145, says that the wicked are relentlessly pursued by the law and burned up by it. Matthew 13:39, especially verses 4-42, says that the angels of God shall be sent to reap the wicked like weeds, gather them, and then cast them into a super-heated furnace. Matthew 24:51 says they shall weep and grind their teeth because they will "be appointed his portion with the hypocrites." (3) In Ezekiel 28:17-19, we are given yet another metaphor: Fire from the midst of Satan, drawn out by God, is what will consume him. The meaning is obvious: It is the evil nature which Satan has developed which will cause his destruction. (4) Note earlier metaphors in this chapter about Satan: He is the King of Tyrus, has stone clothing and pipes; and, where he used to live, in heaven, there are hot stones which produces fire lying around on the ground (Eze 28:12-14). (5) Indeed, if we are to take this chapter literally, it is not talking about Satan at all, but only a Phoenician king! (Eze 28:12) (6) A very significant fact: Ellen White never quotes this disputed phrase ("therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee"). If it were such an important phrase, would she not have quoted it? (7) Another very significant fact: We cannot say she overlooked it; for she quotes the phrase just following it, and she does it in a description of how God, Himself, will destroy Satan! Read Great Controversy, 503-504. The phrase is quoted on page 504. (8) We should never try to establish a doctrinal teaching solely on a single phrase. Many folk who defend the error that God has no responsibility for the death of the wicked will, when pressed by the facts, keep coming back to this one phrase as their last hope of doctrinal defense when all else has collapsed. Then when you explain Ezekiel 28:17-19 to them, they return to all the other errors you disproved earlier: Satan produced all that water for the Flood. A volcano nicely exploded by accident at just the right time to save the angels of God from lying when they said that the city was about to be destroyed; but then they still lied, because they said that they would do it (Gen 19:13-14, 21, 24-25, 29), not an accidental volcano. The wicked all die from fistfights at the Second Advent, and on and on. Back and forth it will go for an hour or two, from Ezekiel 28:17-19 to volcanoes, to sun explosions, to fistfight fatalities, and back to Ezekiel 28:17-19 again. Above all, remember that if Ezekiel 28:17-19 is to be taken in a fully literal sense, this disputed phrase still proves that God is responsible for the death of Satan. If literal, the fire is brought forth by God, in order to burn the devil to ashes. Satan does not bring it out; God does. And Satan does not use it to kill others. In fact there is, in this entire passage, no mention that anyone except Satan will die because of this fire or for any other reason. This disputed sentence simply means that Satan is responsible for his own death. It is the seething torrent of pride, hatred, and violence that he has multiplied in his mind over the ages which ultimately causes his destruction. This is the reason why he must die. This is what kills him. This "fire" within him to mutilate and kill others can no longer be tolerated. It is because of Gods very goodness that Satan's pent-up hatred bursts forth continually. It cannot be contained. There is no way he can stay in the universe any longer. The fires of passion and selfishness, continually pouring out of him, in response to the manifestation of Gods character of love, is the reason he must die. And God declares that He, the One who created Lucifer, shall bring this strange being to ashes in the sight of the onlooking universe. Ezekiel 28:12-19 is a discussion of the origin, Fall, and death of Satan. Consider the clear teachings of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. After the millennium: 1. No man or devil kills man or devil. 2. Only the fire kills them. 3. The fire that slays them is caused by God. 4. In dozens of references, all except one metaphorical passage, fire comes from God out of heaven. 5. In that one passage, Ezekiel 28:17-19, apparently fire is drawn by God out of Satan; and it devours Satan. 6. In every instance, the destructive force is fire alone; and each time it is caused by God alone. 7. Not once are these destructive forces caused by men or by devils. 8. It is Gods strange act, not Satan's act. Satan started the great controversy, but God will finish it.
ONLY THE CORRECT VIEW SOLVES THE PROBLEM AND REVEALS THE LOVE OF GOD The incorrect interpretation of Ezekiel 28:17-19 teaches that Gods love for the wicked is so great that He abandons them to the tender mercies of Satan for their extermination. But such would be a surprisingly shallow love. The only other possibility is that God is so helpless, He is not in control of what takes place in the universe. In reality, the Bible-Spirit of Prophecy portrayal of the final death of the wicked is a far more profound revelation of the love of God, in the manner in which He mercifully puts the rebellious to death as soon as He can while still being consistent with justice. No one suffers one instant longer than he should. God was merciful to them all through their lifetime; He is merciful to them in their final death. He does not say, "Well, it is too late for them now; I shall let Satan finish them off." Instead He personally does the distasteful, because He alone is authorized to do it (for He alone made them). He alone can render them a perfectly fair final death. God does not delight in this. He wanted them all to live, not die. But since it must be done, He Himself will bear the responsibility of carrying the great controversy through to its final end, though it is His own precious creatures, whom He died for, who must now be blotted out by His action. He has never avoided an unpleasant duty before and He will not do so now. The Father did His duty toward His Son while He bore our sins, and it resulted in His death. Now the Son will do His duty toward the rejecters of the only means of their salvation. Jesus carries the great controversy through to the end, as the only one in all the universe who is qualified to do so, the only one who, by Redemption and Atonement, is appointed to do it. And, by His appointment, He will stay with it to the end, that each may suffer fairly, impartially, and not a bit longer than is necessary. Herein is the love of God shown for mankind. He loves the righteous and He loves the rebellious; He gives the best to each that their decisions permit Him to render. And it is a love that will not let the sinner suffer one moment longer than is necessary. It is a love that will complete the great controversy in such a way that no questions can ever again arise; for He will complete it Himself. For the sake of the wicked and for the sake of all the righteous throughout the universe, God will finish the sin problem. For six thousand years, misery for earths inhabitants and anguish for the beings of the universe has not come from the destruction of sin and sinners; it comes from permitting them to live! But, in order to work out the issues in the great controversy and to fully answer Satan's charges, sin and sinners had to continue for a time. Yet that time will soon end. Sadness came to all while the rebellious had life. Merciful relief will come to all at their destruction. Yes, the final death of the wicked, by the Lawgiver (whose law they hated) will be an eternal act of love, an act with eternal consequences of mercy to the wicked and good for all the rest of the universe. A SPECIAL WARNING CALL IS ALWAYS GIVEN FIRST Every major judgment that God has ever sent upon the earth has always been preceded by a warning. This striking fact is easily borne out by the Word of God. In fact, much of the Bible is a description of either the warnings or the judgments that later fell. Here are some examples: Enoch gave a special warning message to men in his time (PP 86-87; 1BC 1087-1088); and, for 120 years, Noah did also (PP 90-104; specifically note 102). Then the Flood came (Gen 6-8; PP 105-110). Both Abraham and Lot gave the cities of the plain an example in Godliness that they needed (PP 135136; 157-158). And then fire fell from heaven upon the doomed cities (Gen 19: PP 160-168). First Joseph and then Moses told the Egyptians about the true God (PP 257-272); then the plagues came (Gen 7-11). Abraham, Moses, and the children of Israel gave lessons in right conduct to the Amorites; they were also given additional probationary time, but, when they still did not repent, they were destroyed (Gen 15:13-16; PP 435, 523). First the merciful call; then the judgments. THE CREATOR CAN REMOVE LIFE The Ten Commandments teach, "Thou shalt not kill" (Ex 20:13). The question then is: "Since this is the sixth commandment, can God then blot out the wicked?" Two principles apply here: (1) Both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy teach that though it is wrong to slay the innocent; yet hardened criminals and those who have fully sold themselves to work evil and injure others must be slain. This is technically called by the name of "capital punishment" (see Bible references in the next section). The vile and destructive in this world must be legally slain by the authorities, or they will kill everyone; before it is completed, they will have demoralized the world as well. Excessive permissiveness demoralizes both children and adults. If the wicked are not blotted from the universe, eventually the same process will take place in all the other worlds also. Therefore, by command of God, the wicked were to be stoned to death (see Bible references, below). Not only does God kill the wicked (and we have an abundance of references and quotations along this line elsewhere in this study), but He commanded His theocracy, the nation of Israel, to do it also. Slaying the wicked is not only good for God to do, it was good for His special nation to do also. It was an unpleasant, but necessary, good that had to be done. (2) God has the right to kill the wicked and tell His chosen nation to do likewise, because He is the Creator. He who has imparted life to all of His creatures has the right to remove that life from any who wish only to live to hate Him and hurt and destroy their fellow creatures. He who made man has the right to do as He pleases with His creation. God is our Potter; The Divine Potter has the right to smash the vessels that ultimately live only to receive His wrath. It is not murder for God to remove life from His creatures that do not want to use it in accordance with His specifications.
For an excellent quotation, read Early Writings, 221. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE BIBLE "Capital punishment" is a legal term. It means the death penalty. When a man is sentenced to death for his crime, he is given capital punishment. And the crime for which he receives it is called a capital offense. He receives death for his crime. Is it wrong to punish crime? We shall discuss that later in this study. But when we ask that, we are really concerned about a more specific question: Is it wrong to inflict the death penalty for crime? For this is a key point in this entire study, The Terrible Storm. Is it wrong for an authority to give a legal death sentence for crime and then to carry it out? No, it is not wrong to do this. For (1), as we have seen repeatedly in this study, God has done this Himself and will do it again; (2) God commanded in the Bible that it be done by magistrates and courts of law. (3) If it is not done, soon the entire population suffers harm at the hands of the evil men, and many emulate their example. Here is the evidence for the second point: MINOR OFFENSES which were punishable by scourging: Lev 19:20; Deut 22:18; 25:2-3; Prov 17:10; 19:29; 20:30. CAPITAL OFFENSES were punished by death: Murder: Gen 9:5-6; Num 35:16-21, 30-33; Deut 17:6. Adultery: Lev 20:10; Deut 22:21-24. Incest: Lev 20:11-12, 14. Bestiality: Ex 22:19; Lev 20:15-16. Sodomy: Lev 18:22; 20:13. Rape: Deut 22:25. Perjury: Zech 5:4. Kidnapping: Ex 21:16; Deut 24:7. Fornication: Lev 21:9. Witchcraft: Ex 22:18. Offering human sacrifice: Lev 20:2-5. Striking or cursing Father or Mother: Ex 21:15, 17; Lev 20:9. Disobedience to parents: Deut 21:18-21. Theft: Zech 5:3-4. Blasphemy: Lev 24:11-14, 16, 23. Sabbath desecration: Ex 35:2; Num 15:32-36. Prophesying falsely or propagating false doctrine: Deut 13:1-10. Sacrificing to false gods: Ex 22:20. Refusing to accept the decision of the court: Deut 17:11-13. Treason: 1 Kgs 2:25; Esther 2:23. HOW THE DEATH PENALTY WAS IMPOSED: Burning: Gen 38:24; Lev 20:14; 21:9; Jer 29:25-26; Eze 23:25; Dan 3:1923. Stoning: Lev 20:2, 27; 24:14; Num 14:10; 15:33-36; Deut 13:10; 17:5. 22:21, 24; Josh 7:25; 1 Kgs 21:10; Eze 16:40. Hanging: Gen 40:22; Deut 21:22-23; Josh 8:29. Sword: Ex 32:27-28; 1 Kgs 2:25, 34, 46. EXECUTED BY: The Witnesses: Deut 13:9; 17:7. The Congregation: Num 15:35-36; Deut 13:9 (on the testimony of at least two witnesses: Num 35:30; Deut 17:6; 19:15). WRATH REVEALED IN TWO WAYS God can manifest His wrath in two different ways: 1. By direct divine intervention: God Himself pours the judgments upon the wicked. He especially uses such direct judgments in the final blotting out of a race that has no further probationary opportunity for salvation thereafter. Examples: The destruction of the Antediluvians, Sodom and the cities of the plain, the wicked at the Second Advent, the wicked after the millennium. 2. By abandonment of the wicked to human destruction, destruction by human action: God permits the wicked to destroy one another by their own violent passions. He often uses this approach in the overturning of nations and in any such situations when their descendants may still have opportunity for salvation. It is a destruction, but not a final destruction. Examples: The destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and, in A.D. 70, by Titus. DOES SATAN EVER CAUSE DISASTERS? Yes, the greater number of the disasters that have occurred in human history have been caused directly or indirectly by Satan. The amount of misery that creature has brought to this world is fantastic. It is Satan who destroys the innocent. It is Satan who starts the wars that slay millions, both innocent and wicked. God (1) only punishes the wicked and never the innocent; and (2) He primarily punishes the wicked directly when their probation has closed. The classic example of a disaster permitted by God, but directly caused under Satan's tutelage, is the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
It is error to say that God never punishes sin with death. And it is equally in error to say that He alone brings death. The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 is clearly and fully an act of Satan and wicked men, permitted by God. To say it again: The vast majority of all the deaths that have taken place in this world up to the present time have not been a result of Gods direct punishment of sin. IS THE BIBLE TRUTHFUL? This is a very serious question and must be faced by anyone who is dabbling with the "God never kills the wicked" theory. The leading advocates of this error openly admit that the Bible does not say what they believe; and that it cannot be believed as it reads. Very simply, they teach that the Bible does not mean what it says. They know that the Bible teaches that God does indeed kill many wicked people. So they unashamedly tell people that the words of Holy Writ must be "adapted" and "explained" and cannot be taken in a literal sense. Whenever it says that God kills wicked men, it means that He cannot do this, He will not do this, and He does not have the capacity to do this. Here is how Mike Clute explains away the war in heaven:
But Gods Word tells a different story:
For more information on this first physical battle in the working out of the great controversy, you may want to refer to some of the following: There was war in heaven between the good angels and the evil angels: EW 145-146; ML 305; SR 17-19; 6T 456; 3SG 36-38; 7BC 972-973. Christ and the loyal angels fought in this battle and won it: DA 119, 490; MH 94; SR 19; 1T 626; EW 145-146; 7BC 973. As a result of this battle, Satan and his angels were expelled from heaven: GC 499-500, 513, 582; PP 42; 1 SM 222, 316; SR 19; 1T 294, 440; 3T 114-115; TM 145; 4BC 1143; 6BC 119; 7BC 973; CT 32, 205; DA 490, 761.
Some of the advocates of this strange theory teach that Adam and Eve were not driven out of Eden. They decided they didn't like it there anymore. Abraham did not fight in that battle of Genesis 14:12-23. He merely encouraged Mamre and Eshcol and Aner to do it on his behalf. Satan brought that water out of the skies and out of the groundand then got so much coming that he feared for his life amid the warring elements? God did not kill Korah, Dathan, and Abiram by having the earth open from beneath them and swallowing them. It was caused by a sudden, unexpected, and totally accidental earthquake! The children of Israel did not go out to war against their enemies at the command of God, as we are told in Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and Chronicles. Because He slew no one at His First Advent, therefore Christ cannot slay anyone by the brightness of His coming at His Second Advent. The words wrath, kill, slay, fight against, destroy, burn up, and consume do not mean that, whenever applied to acts of God in the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy. Such are the twistings of Scripture needed to support this error. It is utter blasphemy to attribute the power of God to Satan! Fred Wright dared to say that, not Gods direct act but, an accidental earthquake opened up the ground and caused the death of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. But read this:
Do you grasp the significance of the above quotation? Declaring that God does not punish the wicked, sealed the doom of thousands. The next quotation says that such words encourage the wicked to continue sinning until it is too late. "The Lord would teach His people to acknowledge the justice of His corrections, that others may fear. There are those in Israel whom the warning of this terrible judgment might save from presuming upon Gods forbearance . . It is the duty of Christ's servants to show the erring ones their peril. "Those who destroy the effect of the warning by blinding the eyes of sinners to the real character and results of sin often flatter themselves that they thus give evidence of their charity; but they are working directly to oppose and hinder the work of Gods Holy Spirit; they are lulling the sinner to rest on the brink of destruction; they are making themselves partakers in his guilt and incurring a fearful responsibility for his impenitence. Many, many, have gone down to ruin as a result of this false and deceptive sympathy."Patriarchs and Prophets, 361. TAKING THE BLAME Thus, this new error weakens our hold on the Word of God and removes our confidence in what it says. This new error teaches us that we can trust those advocating it, because they have a system of explaining away the plain teachings ofScripture. Clearly then, "God does not kill the wicked," because the Bible cannot be trusted to say what it means. In proof of this, some teachers of this error try to locate places in the Bible where God or Christ or the angels lied, as proof that the Bible does not really mean what it says! Then, when you ask them why the Bible does not mean what it says, some, like Mike Clute, will reply that "God always takes the blame." Well, that seems simple enough. He is just so good and kindly that when Satan kills 185,000 men in one night, God covers for him and says "No, don't blame him! I did it; blame Me! I don't want you to think badly of him."
Now, that may sound good and kindly for God to say that He did it when Satan really did it; but would such a cover-up really be goodness and kindliness or even honesty? For example, Mr. Jones tells the police that he burned down his neighbors house, when in reality another man living nearby did it, because he enjoys burning down peoples houses. "Oh," someone will say, "he was just being nice; he takes the blame!" Down here on earth, we are all quite used to deception; but the pure and truthful God of heaven does not use such tactics. He always tells the truth. Do you believe that? I do. The issues in the great controversy demand honesty on the part of God. It will not be solved by confusing people as to what is taking place and lying about circumstances and events. Covering for a criminal is something that fellow criminals do, not good men or the police or the courts of law. But we live in a time when it is culturally good to cover for criminals. Don't arrest them; don't sentence them; don't punish them. Kindness demands that we soften the entire experience for them. Child-raising experts and adult psychologists say that punishment is not psychologically beneficial. What kind of goodness and kindness do we think God has? We think He is altogether too much like ourselves. We live in a generation that disbelieves in obedience to law and punishment of sin, and even preaches it from the pulpits of the land. But God is not as we are. Do you believe that God is a liar? The basic issue in the "He always takes the blame" excuse is that some people would rather believe that God lies about criminals than that He will punish them! As for me and my house: We reject the "God will not punish the wicked" teaching as wrong, unscriptural, illogical, and dangerous. Anyone who accepts this teaching is imperiled by it; erelong he may dabble with other errors, simply because "they seem nice to me." He has opened the door to the most profound heresies. He needs only time before he walks all the way in. IS IT WRONG TO PUNISH CRIME? Well, is it? Our Western culture is leaning heavily toward the concept that it is wrong to punish criminals. This is the basic issue in the "God does not kill the wicked" concept. Is it wrong for God to punish criminals? Our source of guidance to truth is Scripture. The Bible teaches that it is not wrong to punish criminals. It is not wrong for God to do it; it was not wrong for Israel to do it at His command; it was not wrong for their court system to do it. He even told them what acts to kill criminals for and how to do it. (See the section, Capital Punishment in the Bible, given earlier in this study.) God instructed His people to search out the criminal and put him to death in a certain way. And sometimes God stepped in (especially when no one else would do it or, because the job was so immense, no one else could) and killed the criminals Himself. The United States is becoming overrun with criminals because they receive little or no punishment. The police cannot effectively apprehend them because of Supreme Court regulations; the courts often free them or give them only light sentences. In California only the worst crimes receive over six years prison sentence, by action of the California State Legislature, simply because the prisons are so overcrowded that offenders must be turned out quickly, to make room for more. We have come to the time, now in California, when the criminals are going in and out so fast, that the majority are outside and have little fear of conviction or heavy sentencing, even if caught. So they warn the prison guards by phone that, if they are not careful with their friends, their families will be given special treatment while they are at work. Our nation is becoming demoralized because it is not nice to punish criminals who are murdering our neighbors, lying in wait for our friends, raping their wives, and selling dope to the children. And now it is becoming part of our religion. People think that God must not hurt the criminals either, or He is not "good and kind" to the people on earth or to the heavenly universe. Is it wrong to punish crime? If you think it is wrong, then you are on the wrong side of the great controversy; and, in the day when God rains fire out of heaven, you may learn too late that crime and criminals are something that God will not tolerate in His clean universe. Read again chapter 29 of Great Controversy. This chapter, The Origin of Evil (pp. 492-504), will show you the whole picture, and correctly. God had to permit sin in the beginning, so that all could see the issues involved. This is why He did not kill Cain (read PP 78-79). But the day is coming when He will burn up sin and sinners with a terrible fire. And if you don't think that hardened sinners beyond probation, whose every momentary thought is only evil continually, deserve a terrible fire from God, then there is something wrong with your thinking. WHY DID GOD NOT KILL CAIN? This strange error teaches that God is too kindly to kill anyone, no matter how evil he may be. But, on the other hand, it could be asked, Why did God not kill Cain who, after murdering his brother, expressed no remorse or repentance? Up to this point in time, God had never killed anyone. For the good of the entire, watching universe, Cain was permitted to live out his life. Future years would reveal the terrible results of letting incorrigible sinners live. Patriarchs and Prophets, 78-79 explains this in detail. STEPS DOWN TO SAVAGERY "God does not kill" means "God will not remove life from the wicked." God did this when He took away the Tree of Life. It resulted in the "first death" to an entire race. God will do this again when He sends fire down from heaven upon the finally impenitent. This will result in the second death. But the responsibility for the death, in all cases, is that of the wicked themselves. There is a world of difference between the act of the criminal and the later act of justice required by the criminals act. Here are the steps down to savagery, that modern man is bent upon taking: Step 1: Teach the people that it is no longer necessary to keep the Ten Commandments. The people will thus perceive that true religion is wrongdoing. Step 2: Teach that it is not right for anyone to punish wrongdoing. Parents should not do it. No one else should do it. God should not do it. Step 3: Demand that intentional murderers no longer be put to death. There should be no more capital punishment, neither by man nor by Heaven. The people will soon decide that hardened criminals should not even be put into prison. "Let them run free; that is the Christian thing to do." WHAT DOES THIS ERROR REALLY TEACH? We have mentioned that this erroneous speculation should really be called "Does God punish impenitent criminals?" For by calling it "Does God kill?" the thought is projected that, if He does, He might kill us all someday. And this is not true. He would never hurt the smallest child that trusts in Him. But the truth is that He is mighty to defend them against the cruel and vile that live only to plot against that little child and seek to destroy it. IT IS DANGEROUS TO TOY WITH ERROR When we dally with error, we soon come to like it. Then we begin defending it. And this requires twisting Scripture; for, because it is error, it is unscriptural. First, we have entrenched ourselves on the side of a non-Biblical concept. Second, and equally bad, we have accustomed ourselves to twisting Scripture to fit our cherished imaginings. Our pattern of thought and deductive powers have been damaged; and now, unless we repudiate the error and the erroneous path by which we "proved" it to ourselves, we shall be open to more dreamy speculation and text twisting in the future. Our only safety lies in staying with the obvious statements of Scripture and, unless a metaphor is clearly intended, taking them as they read. You and I need to know what Gods Word clearly says, and we need to share it with others. But we do not need to know everything in the universe. Trying to pry into every secret can be dangerous. "He [Satan] is constantly seeking to excite a spirit of irreverent curiosity, a restless, inquisitive desire to penetrate the secrets of divine wisdom and power. In their efforts to search out what God has been pleased to withhold, multitudes overlook the truths which He has revealed, and which are essential to salvation."Patriarchs and Prophets, 54-55. A LETTER WE RECEIVED We received the following letter about a year ago: "I received . . but I don't agree with . . He keeps stressing the God does not kill idea. Recently I read a book he sent me about this. I didn't read all of it as I found so much error. He twists the Scripture so much. So I spent a whole day with the Spirit of Prophecy. He claims: "God doesn't test people. "God didn't initiate the sacrificial system. "God didn't bring about the Flood. "God didn't ask Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. "God doesn't pour out the seven last plagues. "God doesn't consume the wicked by fire. "Instead, he credits Satan with all this. "Here is some of what I found in the Spirit of Prophecy. Patriarchs and Prophets has so much to disprove his theory: "48-53: Test of obedience. "68: Sacrificial offerings ordained by God as perpetual reminder of sin and its consequences, plus deliverance. "99: Satan, compelled to remain in midst of Flood, feared for his own existence and desired people to live (instead of die in Flood) so they could continue to rebel against God. "101: By the Word of God the world perished. "104: Scientists say that the world cannot be destroyed by fire, but God can use the works of His hands to serve His own purpose. "109: The depths of the earth are the Lords arsenal. "147: Abrahams last test was the most trying and was from God. "148: Satan suggests to Abraham that he must be deceived and tried to prevent his obedience. "154: The reason for this test. "155: Abrahams test greater than Adams. "162: The Lord rained brimstone and fire from heaven. "274: Slaying of the first-born. "313: Instruction to build the Sanctuary given by God. "400: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram slain. "403: 14,000 slain for rebellion. "406: Continuance of tabernacle service testifies that He had not forsaken His people. "628: Reason for destroying the people. "Then there is Prophets and Kings: "37: Abraham went to Mount Moriah in obedience to God. "236: Elisha and the she-bears an awful judgment from God. "276-278. Note this one: End of Gods forbearance Gods agencies in destruction of the wicked. "297: Fire one of Gods agencies. "And I looked in Acts of the Apostles also: "72-73: Manifestation of Gods wrath given to guard the young church. "627: Gods strange act unmingled wrath. "672: Fire from heaven devouring flames from the earth. "And then I looked in Early Writings: "52: The wrath of God the seven last plagues. "54: Fire breathed from God is what finally consumes the wicked. "289, 294-295: Fire from God. "I sent him all these quotations and told him that he was deceiving many folks who don't study for themselves. How could he come to such a conclusion with so much Bible and Spirit of Prophecy against his idea? Within a week I received a letter telling me that I should pray and study more, that God had given him this special revelation. I'm getting older, but I can still read! Surely I can't be that deceived. It is written. That's enough for me." CAN THE DEVIL BE ENTRUSTED WITH HELL? Amazing Facts has as one of its twelve Amazing Facts Information Folders, a study on the punishment and death of the wicked. That which it teaches is regular Adventist doctrinal belief. However, the title is something worth our attention: Is the Devil in Charge of Hell? Can he be trusted to be impartial?" (Information Folder B) Emblazoned behind these vivid words is a color sketch of a devil with smaller-sized people suffering as they stand and cry in flame in the open palms of his hands. Thus, the title and picture is pointing out the Roman Catholic view that the devil is in charge of hellfire. Inside the folder, of course, the reader is presented with the correct view of the matter. By the way, here is the opening paragraph of the Amazing Facts tract, mentioned above: "Well, what about it? Is the devil in charge of hell? Does God keep such a crooked, sneaky, lowdown demon on His payroll . . and trust him with that important position, General Superintendent of Hell? The very reputation of God is involved in the answer to this question." Now, think about that a moment. Do you see the implications? The "God will not kill the wicked" advocates teach that God is not in charge of hellfire, Satan is! They suggest that he starts the fire and then burns up the people. God has nothing to do with the affair; but, rather, he stands afar off while Satan has the whole procedure in his own control. God does not start it; God does not stop it. For however long that he may decide to let it drag out, Satan is in charge of the whole thing. How much different is that from the Roman Catholic error? Not much. Only the length of time varies. The Second Angel warns us to flee from Roman Catholic error. The Third Angel solemnly tells us what will happen if we don't. The love of God is a mature love, a love that pleads, warns, and protects. And it is a love that can act and stop. It is a deep and genuine love. THE CATHOLIC VIEW OF HELL The Biblical view of hell: God is in charge of destroying the wicked in hellfire.The Roman Catholic view of hell: Satan punishes the wicked. The following quotation is from a Roman Catholic doctrinal book "for the spiritual enjoyment of little children." (The quotation includes their Roman numerals.)
The reference for the above quotation is as follows: J. Furniss, Tracts for Spiritual Reading. New York: P.J. Kennedy, Excelsior Catholic Publishing House, 1882, pages 12-14. The following approbation (recommendation) appears in the front of this official Roman Catholic theological work written for children:
THIS ERROR LEADS MEN TOWARD UNIVERSALISM In the January-February 1995 issue of Mike Clute's tabloid, Gods Last Call, he quoted a letter from one of his supporters, and then commented on it. The letter and Mikes approval revealed that Mike had moved into a belief in universalism. Mike brought out these points: Satan will produce the final (hell) fire, but it will only be "symbolic fire." It will only burn the wicked till they are "purified," and then, pure in heart with no traces of sin, they will all be welcomed into the city of God, there to live forever. Even Satan will be saved! He will be reinstated as the leading angel, and once again lead the choirs of heaven. All the redeemed will respect Satan more than the other angels, since he is now the leading angel. Mike freely admitted that the name of this doctrine is "universalism." The Spirit of Prophecy strongly condemns universalism (See GC 537-538, 548; 1T 344. Also see our tract, Universalism [WM615], May 1995.) |