ed into rebellion, there are none now to acknowledge his supremacy.
His power is at an end. The wicked are filled with the same hatred of
God that inspires Satan; but they see that their case is hopeless, that they
cannot prevail against Jehovah. Their rage is kindled against Satan and
those who have been his agents in deception. With the fury of demons
they turn upon them, and there follows a scene of universal strife.
Fire From Heaven
Then are fulfilled the words of the prophet: “The indignation of the
Lord is upon all nations, and His fury upon all their armies: He hath utterly
destroyed them, He hath delivered them to the slaughter.” Isaiah 34:2.
“Upon the wicked He shall rain quick burning coals, fire and brimstone,
and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.” Psalm 11:6,
margin. Fire comes down from God out of heaven. The earth is broken
up. The weapons concealed in its depths are drawn forth. Devouring
flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire. The
day has come that “shall burn as an oven.” Malachi 4:1. The elements
melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein are
burned up. (2 Peter 3:10.) The fire of Tophet is prepared for the king, the
chief of rebellion; the pile thereof is deep and large, and “the breath of
the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.” Isaiah 30:33. The
earth’s surface seems one molten mass—a vast, seething lake of fire. It is
the time of the judgment and perdition of ungodly men
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—“the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompences for the
controversy of Zion.” Isaiah 34:8.
The wicked receive their recompense in the earth. They “shall be
stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of
hosts.” Malachi 4:1. Some are destroyed as in a moment, while others
suffer many days. All are punished according to their deeds. The sins
of the righteous have been transferred to Satan, the originator of evil,
who must bear their penalty. [See footnote p. 403.] Thus he is made
to suffer, not only for his own rebellion, but for all the sins which he
has caused God’s people to commit. His punishment is to be far greater
than that of those whom he has deceived. After all have perished who
fell by his deceptions, he is still to live and suffer on. In the cleansing
flames the wicked are at last destroyed, root and branch—Satan the root,
his followers the branches. The justice of God is satisfied, and the saints
and all the angelic host say with a loud voice, Amen.
While the earth is wrapped in the fire of God’s vengeance, the
righteous abide safely in the Holy City. Upon those that had part in the
first resurrection, the second death has no power. (Revelation 20:6.) While
God is to the wicked a consuming fire, He is to His people both a sun and
a shield. (Psalm 84:11.) 430
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67: The New Earth
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven
and the first earth were passed away.” Revelation 21:1. The fire that
consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept
away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful
consequences of sin. One reminder alone remains: our Redeemer will
ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, His
hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought.
“O Tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto
thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” Micah 4:8. The kingdom
forfeited by sin, Christ has regained, and the redeemed are to possess it
with Him. “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for
ever.” Psalm 37:29. A fear of making the saints’ inheritance seem too
material has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead us to
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look upon the new earth as our home. Christ assured His disciples that He
went to prepare mansions for them. Those who accept the teachings of
God’s Word will not be wholly ignorant concerning the heavenly abode.
And yet the apostle Paul declares, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which G