2. The prophet Isaiah (chapter xxxiv) describes the final conflagration of our globe in language which is a complete parallel to that of the third angel in describing the punishment of the wicked. Those who contend that Isaiah refers only to ancient Idumea, must admit that the period of time described in this strong language, must finally come to an end. And those who admit that Isaiah, in the language we are about to quote, refers to the conflagration of our earth, will find in what follows ample proof that that scene will finally close.
âFor it is the day of the Lordâs vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever; from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.â Chap. xxxiv, 8-10.
3. But this terrific scene of final conflagration is not to last throughout unlimited duration. For the earth having been burned, and all its elements melted, new heavens and new earth are to follow, as the present earth succeeded to that which was destroyed by water. And in the earth thus made new the righteous are to be recompensed.
âBut the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also; and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness; looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.â 2 Pet. iii, 10-13. âAnd I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.â Rev. xxi, 1.
4. Thus however dreadful and long-continued the punishment of the wicked will be (for each is to be punished according to his deserts), that punishment will finally result in the utter destruction of all transgressors. All the wicked will God destroy. Ps. cxlv, 20. They shall die the second death. Rev. xxi, 8; Rom. vi, 23; Eze. xviii, 4, 20. They shall perish, being consumed into smoke. Ps. xxxvii, 10, 20, 38. They shall be punished with everlasting destruction, being burned up in unquenchable fire. 2 Thess. i, 9; Matt. iii, 12. And thus having been consumed, root and branch, they shall be as though they had not been. Mal. iv, 1; Obadiah 16.