GOD's Punishment

[Guest Evgen]

If GOD is Love, then how does GOD's Punishment work?

The subject is parallel to our earlier discussion about hell. As it is us who have created and do enlarge hell on, it is us also who play the chief role in our own punishment due.

Let’s see the Scriptures.

The Angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him,  and delivereth them. (Psalm 34:7)

Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my Refuge, even the Most High, thy Habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His Angels Charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy Ways. (Psalm 91:9-11)

Here we can see the Mighty Work of GOD's Protection over His People.

Search Old Testament Scriptures and find there all the same Protection over Israel. LORD promised and gave to His People the best land on the face of Earth asking in return only their Faithfulness to Him. They were more than protected being able to win battles using no arms at all – GOD did that for them.

Exodus 14:13-14; Deuteronomy 31:6; 2Kings 6:16-17; 2Chronicles 20:15; &c.

In the same Holy Writings, we can also see quite opposite pictures. 

People turned their backs to GOD and got into abominable idolatry.

Have a look at the above-quoted Psalms 34:7 & 91:9-11 and imagine everything to the contrary: godless people, Guardian Angels step back, demons step forward. 

Deuteronomy 28:15.

As it seems to me, GOD's Punishment is not about doing evil, rather, it’s just termination of doing Good. For how long? That depends on ourselves.

Be not deceived; GOD is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

 

...the Long-Suffering of GOD is great. Therefore, He does not punish sin immediately. If He did, the moment we sinned, we should perish. This Long-Suffering of GOD Satan ever abuses. And it just suits his purpose, that man should not immediately feel his sin. For because punishment is thus deferred, Satan fills the mind with security and unconcern. So that a man is not only kept blind to the fact that he has sinned, but is caused to take delight and to glory in his sins. (Martin Luther, The Creation, p.213)

 

Scripture further references:

Leviticus 26:3-12 – Try to read in the negative.

2Chronicles 7:14 – ditto

Isaiah 50:1 – ...for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves...

Lamentations, Chapter 5 – GOD’s Protection is gone.

Hosea 9:12 – GOD punishes when departs.

Zechariah 2:5 – The picture of GOD’s Protection Promised.

John 8:31-32 - Try to read in the negative.

1John 1:9 – ditto

 

("Q & A" chapter 64)

Edited August 17, 2019 by Evgen
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