Destruction

The demolition or eradication of buildings, peoples or individuals. Since God is the Creator and sustainer of all things, wanton ruin is contrary to his will as his original purposes cannot be fulfilled. God will bring about the final destruction of all that is evil in the last judgment.

God disapproves of wanton destruction

Of human life

Exodus 20:13 parallel Deuteronomy 5:17 See also Genesis 4:8–12, Genesis 9:5–6; 2 Samuel 12:7–10

You shall not murder.

Of the world in general

Revelation 11:18 Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 20:19–20

The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great— and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Of spiritual life

Romans 14:15 See also 1 Corinthians 8:9–11; 2 Timothy 2:17–18; 2 Peter 2:1

If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.

Agents of destruction

God himself brings destruction on the wicked

God decrees destruction for sinners

Psalm 37:38 See also Genesis 6:5–7; Psalm 5:6, Psalm 46:8; Isaiah 34:2; Amos 1:3–8, Amos 2:1–3; Luke 3:9; 1 John 3:8

But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.

By the forces of nature

Genesis 7:4 See also Genesis 19:24–25; Deuteronomy 28:15–24; Psalm 48:7; Ezekiel 5:16, Ezekiel 13:13; Luke 17:29; Revelation 6:12–14

For seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living thing I have made.”

By means of angels

1 Corinthians 10:10 See also Exodus 12:23; 2 Samuel 24:15–17 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:14–17; 1 Chronicles 21:12; 2 Kings 19:35 parallels 2 Chronicles 32:21, Isaiah 37:36; Acts 12:23; Revelation 7:2–3

And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

By means of human beings

Deuteronomy 7:16 See also Numbers 21:3; Deuteronomy 2:34, Deuteronomy 3:6, Deuteronomy 28:47–48; Joshua 6:21, Joshua 8:26, Joshua 11:20; Jeremiah 25:9

You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.

Destruction in the final judgment

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 See also Malachi 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 17:8, Revelation 17:11, Revelation 18:21, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 20:14

in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,

Destruction is sudden

1 Thessalonians 5:3 See also Proverbs 6:15, Proverbs 24:21–22, Proverbs 29:1; Ecclesiastes 9:12; Isaiah 30:13, Isaiah 47:11; Jeremiah 15:8; 2 Peter 3:10

While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Warnings against the way of destruction

Matthew 7:13 See also Joshua 6:18; 1 Timothy 6:9

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

God keeps his people from destruction

Exodus 12:13 See also Psalm 91:9–10; Romans 8:35–39

The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a sign; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

God's kingdom is indestructible

Hebrews 12:28 See also Psalm 46:5, Psalm 125:1; Daniel 2:44

Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

There will be no destruction in the world to come

Isaiah 11:9 See also Daniel 7:27; Revelation 21:3–5, Revelation 22:15

They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water.