INTRODUCTION

In the most basic sense, punishment is handed out to those who have done wrong. Though it may be seen as harsh by those who receive it, punishment is a calculated response to wrongdoing. Though there are some passages in the Old Testament that indicate punishment was applicable to the people of God (Ezra 9:13And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
See All...; Hosea 12:2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
See All...), the vast majority of references demonstrate that it was intended for the enemies of God (Psalm 149:7To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
See All...; Proverbs 11:21Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
See All...; Isaiah 10:12Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
See All...; Isaiah 13:11And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
See All...; Isaiah 24:21And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
See All...; Isaiah 26:21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
See All...; Isaiah 27:1In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
See All...; Jeremiah 25:12And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
See All...; Jeremiah 46:25The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and all them that trust in him:
See All...). A careful study of the New Testament will strengthen the distinction as there are no references to God punishing His people.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) People who are not saved are ungodly, sinners, and are God's enemies (Romans 5:6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
  See All..., 8, 10). If they die without accepting God's plan of salvation, they will be punished forever (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 [7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
  See All...; Revelation 21:7-8 [7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. [8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
  See All...).
• Why would there be no references to God judging His people in the New Testament? Why would the shed blood of Christ relieve the implementation of punishment for the saints of God?
• Look up the word punish and its various forms in the New Testament. When will God punish the wicked? How long will their punishment last?

PRAYER NEEDS

• If saved, thank God that you will not know His punishment.
• If lost, ask God to open your eyes to your need for salvation.

HYMN

Rescue the Perishing

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