Understanding Their End

27 FEBRUARY

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Psalm 73:17

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Revelation 20:11-21:8

The end of the wicked that David mentions here does not refer to their exit from the world or their departure from the present life, which is true of all men. Why then did David need to enter into the sanctuary of God to understand that? No, the word end here refers to the judgment of God, by which he makes clear that, even when God is thought to be asleep, He is only delaying for a time the execution of the punishment that the wicked deserve.

This must be further explained. If we would learn from God what the condition of the ungodly is, we must understand that, after they have flourished for a short time, they will suddenly decay. Though they happen to enjoy a time of prosperity now and until death, yet that means nothing compared to the nothingness of their life.

God declares that all the wicked shall perish in misery. If we see Him executing vengeance upon the wicked in this life, we must remember that it is the judgment of God. On the contrary, if we do not see punishment inflicted on them in this world, let us not presume that they have escaped punishment or that they are the objects of divine favor and approbation. Rather, let us suspend our judgment, since the last day has not yet arrived.

In short, if we would rightly profit by addressing ourselves to the consideration of the works of God, we must first beseech Him to open our eyes, for only sheer fools would presume to be clear-sighted and of a penetrating judgment. Second, we must give all due respect to God’s Word by assigning to it that authority to which it is entitled.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: We miss so much truth around us when we fail to observe the world through the lens of the Bible. The wicked often prosper and, without God’s revelation of their end, we might be tempted to envy them. Thank God for His Word, by which we can see this more clearly and remain more content with what we possess. How else can this truth promote genuine contentment and keep us from controversies?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke