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by Hugh Ross Ph.D.

God judges people in two categories: 1) the righteous (those submitted to God–all evil deeds are erased and forgotten and their reward is based on good deeds alone; 2) the wicked (those who are rebellious–all good deeds are erased and forgotten and their punishment is based on evil deeds alone. 

Background references on death

Genesis 2:16-17 Ecclesiastes 9:2-6
Genesis 3:22 Isaiah 65:19-25
Genesis 6:3 Ezekiel 18:20-32
Proverbs 16:4 John 16:5-11
Ecclesiastes 3:11 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 Hebrews 9:27
Ecclesiastes 8:8 Revelation 20:11-15

The righteous sometimes die young

  • to protect from future torment
  • to protect heavenly reward
  • as an instrument for good
1 Kings 14:6-13 Psalm 23:4
2 Kings 20:1-21:16 Isaiah 57:1-2
2 Chronicles 32:22-33:6 Acts 4:32-5:11
Isaiah 36-39 Acts 7:54-8:4, Acts 9

The righteous sometimes die old

  • to maximize heavenly reward
  • to protect a spiritual heritage
  • to procide an opportunity to achieve an ignored priority
Psalm 116:15 Ephesians 2:10
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Philippians 1:21-26 Revelation 14:13

The wicked sometimes die young

  • lack of wisdom
  • led astray by folly
  • to stop the spread of wickedness
  • to limit judgment on the wicked
  • to limit grief of relatives
  • to transfer wealth to the righteous
Genesis 38:6-19 Proverbs 5:21-23
Job 20:4-11 Proverbs 29:16
Psalm 55:15 Ecclesiastes 2:26

The wicked sometimes die old

  • To give them time to turn from their ways
Ezekiel 18:23 2 Peter 3:9
1 Timothy 2:4 Revelation 2:21


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Copyright 1977, Reasons To Believe

 
 

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