"Shall I not punish these people," declares the LORD, "And on a nation such as this shall I not avenge Myself?" (Jer 5:9)

"If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron 7:14)

JUDGMENT IN THIS LIFE

The Bible and history repeatedly show how a wicked nation is progressively punished with increasing severity (read Deuteronomy 28) and in due course gets a ruthless government that perverts justice.

Through a series of cause and effect relationships, God gives people what they deserve. Obedience has rewards and rebellion has consequences in this life and in the life to come.

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." (1 Tim 2:1-4)

"So that godless men would not rule nor be snares of the people." (Job 34:30)

"Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." (Isa 1:16-20)

"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways!" (Ezek 33:11)

"But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for [authority] does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil." (Rom 13:4)

JUDGMENT TO COME (SEE ACTS 24:25)

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you... that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:19-21)

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cor 6:9-11)

"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone." (Rev 21:8)

ALL AUTHORITY GIVEN TO JESUS (SEE MATT 28:18)

By the predetermined plan of God, written down by the prophets hundreds of years in advance, Jesus was crucified, raised from the dead, and seated on the throne from which He now judges.

"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Cor 5:10)

Read & Discover: 1 Timothy 1:8-11

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalms 33:12)