Perish

<<wear out, die>>

Proverbs 29:18 in the King James Version reads, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” This is better translated from the original language as “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint”. Yet both interpretations infer that without adhering to the Word of God sin-biased humanity casts off the limits of decency with the eventual consequence of being doomed to a lost eternity. God does not want anyone to experience this predicament, but rather to repent and be saved (2 Pet 3:9). In love God provided the way out of this quandary for those who repent and believe (Lk 13:3,5; Jn 3:16, 10:28; Act 4:12). However it is undeniable that many will perish, and if it were not for election and the effectual calling of God, everyone would perish (Mt 7:13,14; Jn 6:44; Rom 8:29,30).

Our earthly bodies are perishable or subject to deterioration, yet our eternal bodies will be imperishable – lasting forever because they will be incapable of decaying (1 Cor 15:52,53). In that state the believers will enjoy the glories of heaven while unbelievers will suffer eternal damnation (torment in the lake of fire – the ultimate definition of perishing).

Queen Esther said, "If I perish, I perish" (Est 4:16). She was prepared to sacrifice her life to bring about possible change. Paul said, "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Act 20:24).

We will all pass from this life at some stage. Until then am I involved and giving my life for what will not last or am I investing in God's Kingdom, storing up treasure in heaven where it will not deteriorate (Mt 6:19,20).