God's chastening of his children and his judgment on impenitent sinners and supernatural evil powers.
God's punishment of his children
Through the discipline of suffering and hardship
Hebrews 12:5–7 See also Proverbs 3:11–12; Deuteronomy 4:36, Deuteronomy 8:5; 2 Samuel 7:14; Job 5:17JOB Job 33:19, Job 36:10 Psalm 32:3–4, Psalm 94:12–13, Psalm 118:18, Psalm 119:75; Zephaniah 3:7; James 1:12; Revelation 3:19
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Through death
1 Corinthians 11:30–32 See also Leviticus 10:1–3; Numbers 11:1–3; 1 Samuel 4:17–21; 2 Samuel 6:6–8 parallel 1 Chronicles 13:9–11
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
God's punishment of the ungodly
Their punishment is certain
Romans 1:18 See also Proverbs 10:24; Isaiah 13:11, Isaiah 26:21, Isaiah 66:16; John 5:28–29; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Hebrews 2:2–3
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
Their punishment is just
Psalm 96:13 See also Genesis 18:25; Exodus 9:27; Psalm 98:9; John 5:28–30; Romans 3:5–8; 1 Peter 2:23; Revelation 16:5–7
before the LORD, for He is coming— He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.
Their punishment involves destruction in hell
Luke 12:5 parallel Matthew 10:28 See also Matthew 5:29–30
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!
Fire as an image of destruction
Matthew 5:22 See also Isaiah 33:14, Isaiah 66:15; Nahum 1:6; Malachi 4:1; Matthew 13:40–43; Mark 9:43, Mark 9:48; Luke 16:22–24; Jude 1:7, Jude 1:23; Revelation 20:14–15
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
Their punishment will involve exclusion from God's presence
Matthew 7:23 See also Matthew 22:13, Matthew 25:41; Luke 13:24–28; Revelation 21:27
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
Their punishment will be eternal
2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 Interpreters differ over whether “everlasting destruction” implies an experience which continues for ever, or annihilation that is everlasting in the sense of being irreversible. See also Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:46; Revelation 14:11
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,
The punishment of the second death
Revelation 2:11 The “second death” refers to the final state of the unrepentant. See also Revelation 20:6, Revelation 21:8
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.
There will be degrees of punishment
Mark 12:40 parallel Luke 20:47 See also Matthew 11:22, Matthew 11:24; Luke 12:47–48
They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
The punishment of God's spiritual enemies
Satan
Revelation 20:2 See also Isaiah 14:12–15; 1 Timothy 3:6; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:10
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
Fallen angels
2 Peter 2:4 See also Isaiah 24:21–22; Matthew 25:41; Jude 1:6
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.