But what shall be done to the wicked at their death?
The souls of the wicked shall, at their death, be cast into the torments of hell, and their bodies lie in their graves, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day.
Proofs
- The souls of the wicked shall, at their death, be cast into the torments of hell, and their bodies lie in their graves, till the resurrection and judgment of the great day. (Luke 16:23–24; Acts 2:24; Jude 5, 7; 1 Peter 3:19; Psalm 49:14)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Must the wicked die as well as the righteous?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For it is appointed unto all men once to die, (Hebrews 9:27)
Must they die though they would not?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the wicked is driven away in his wickedness, (Proverbs 14:32)
Doth death often come upon them unexpected?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: When they cry peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
And does it find them unprepared?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: While they went to buy, the bridegroom came, (Matthew 25:10)
Section 2
Do the souls of the wicked at death go into a place of torments?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: In hell he lifted up his eyes being in torment, (Luke 16:23)
And lie under the wrath of God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, (Psalm 21:9)
And under the agonies of an accusing conscience?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: There the worm dieth not, (Mark 9:46)
Have they some presages of this beforehand?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They have a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, (Hebrews 10:27)
And will their misery be equal to their fears?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For according to thy fear, (Psalm 90:11)
Section 3
Will all things round about them conspire to make them miserable?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For terrors shall make them afraid on every side, (Job 18:11)
Will the saints pity them?
Answer: No.
Proof: For the righteous shall see and laugh at them, (Psalm 52:6)
Will partnership in misery alleviate their pains?
Answer: No.
Proof: For they shall be amazed one at another, their faces shall be as flames, (Isaiah 13:8)
Shall they have a sad remembrance of their former abundance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, (Luke 16:25)
And a distant prospect of the heavenly happiness?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They shall see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven and themselves thrust out, (Luke 13:28)
And will all this tend to fill them with inexpressible anguish, and horror, fury, and despair?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, (Matthew 13:42)
Section 4
Is there no possibility for the wicked to escape?
Answer: No.
Proof: How can ye escape the damnation of hell, (Matthew 23:33)
Cannot they escape by cunning?
Answer: No.
Proof: God taketh the wise in their own craftiness, (Job 5:13)
Nor by power?
Answer: No.
Proof: For by strength shall no man prevail, (1 Samuel 2:9)
Nor by flight?
Answer: No.
Proof: Can any hide himself in secret places, that I shall not see him? (Jeremiah 23:24)
Nor by numbers?
Answer: No.
Proof: For though hand join in hand, yet the wicked shall not be unpunished, (Proverbs 11:21)
Will hell then be large enough to hold the whole number of the ungodly?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For God hath made it deep and large, (Isaiah 30:33)
Section 5
Are the bodies of the wicked lodged in the grave?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Like sheep they are laid in the grave, (Psalm 49:14)
Doth the grave consume them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: So shall the grave consume those that have sinned, (Job 24:19)
Does it mar their beauty?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Death shall feed on them, (Psalm 49:14)
And rob them of their glory?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: His glory shall not descend after him, (Psalm 49:17)
And blot out their memory?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He shall be no more remembered, (Job 24:20)
Are they reserved there to the day of judgment?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: God reserveth the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished, (2 Peter 2:9)
And shall they then be brought forth?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They shall be brought forth in the day of wrath, (Job 21:30)