Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "collapse" can refer to both physical and spiritual downfall. It is often used to describe the destruction of cities, nations, or individuals who have turned away from God's commandments. The concept of collapse serves as a warning and a call to repentance, emphasizing the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithfulness to God.
Physical Collapse1.
Cities and Nations: The Bible frequently recounts the collapse of cities and nations as a result of divine judgment. One of the most notable examples is the fall of Jericho. In
Joshua 6:20 , it is recorded, "So when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they shouted a loud shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it." This event underscores the power of God in delivering His people and executing judgment on the wicked.
2.
The Fall of Jerusalem: The collapse of Jerusalem is another significant event, symbolizing the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness. In
2 Kings 25:10 , it is written, "And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem." This destruction was a direct result of the nation's persistent idolatry and rebellion against God.
Spiritual Collapse1.
Moral and Spiritual Decline: The Bible also addresses the collapse of moral and spiritual integrity.
Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the danger of pride and self-reliance, which can lead to spiritual downfall.
2.
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders: Jesus' teaching in
Matthew 7:24-27 illustrates the spiritual collapse that occurs when one fails to build their life on the foundation of His words. "And the rain fell, and the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse." This parable emphasizes the importance of obedience to Christ's teachings as the foundation for a stable and enduring life.
Prophetic Warnings1.
The Collapse of Babylon: In Revelation, the collapse of Babylon symbolizes the ultimate downfall of worldly systems opposed to God.
Revelation 18:2 declares, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!" This prophetic vision serves as a reminder of the temporary nature of earthly power and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.
2.
Warnings to the Churches: The letters to the seven churches in Revelation contain warnings of spiritual collapse if they do not repent.
Revelation 2:5 admonishes the church in Ephesus, "Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and perform the deeds you did at first." These warnings highlight the need for vigilance and perseverance in faith.
Lessons from CollapseThe biblical accounts of collapse serve as both a warning and an encouragement. They remind believers of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith. The narratives of collapse also point to the hope of restoration and redemption for those who repent and return to the Lord. Through these accounts, the Bible calls individuals and nations to humility, obedience, and trust in God's sovereign plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To fail suddenly and completely, like something hollow when subject to too much pressure; to undergo a collapse; as, Maximilian's government collapsed soon after the French army left Mexico; many financial projects collapse after attaining some success and importance.
2. (v. i.) To fall together suddenly, as the sides of a hollow vessel; to close by falling or shrinking together; to have the sides or parts of (a thing) fall in together, or be crushed in together; as, a flue in the boiler of a steam engine sometimes collapses.
3. (n.) A falling together suddenly, as of the sides of a hollow vessel.
4. (n.) A sudden and complete failure; an utter failure of any kind; a breakdown.
5. (n.) Extreme depression or sudden failing of all the vital powers, as the result of disease, injury, or nervous disturbance.
Strong's Hebrew
7667. sheber -- a breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash... a breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash NASB Word Usage 2,172* (1), breaches
(1), breakdown (1), broken (2), brokenness (3),
collapse (1), crash (1
...5307. naphal -- to fall, lie
... anyone falls (1), apportioned (2), attacked (2), born (1), bring down (1), burst
(1), came down (1), cast (16), cast down (5), casts (1),collapse (1), come (3...
7665. shabar -- to break, break in pieces
... broke (9), broke in pieces (6), broke the in pieces (1), broke down (1), broken
(55), broken down (1), broken off (1), brokenhearted* (3),collapse (1), crush...
1794. dakah -- to crush
... break sore, contrite, crouch. A primitive root (compare dak, daka'); tocollapse
(phys. Or mentally) -- break (sore), contrite, crouch. see HEBREW dak....
Library
The BritishCollapse, 1760-1801.
... BOOK THREE. The Rule of the Germans. CHAPTER IV. THE BRITISHCOLLAPSE,
1760-1801. Of all the problems raised by the history of the...
Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire...
... The Church From The Permanent Division Of The Empire Until TheCollapse Of The Western
Empire And The First Schism Between The East And The West, Or Until...
Enoch, the Deathless
... Under great strain, or the demand of special circumstances, he runs, but finds that
exhaustion follows; or if he runs too frequently, totalcollapse is the...
The Hymns of Isaac Watts
... At the very end of his life, Dr. Watts had the satisfaction of witnessing in the
failure of the '45 thecollapse of the Young Pretender, and the final...
That no one is Dashed to the Ground by a Sudden Fall.
... But we must not imagine that anyone slips and comes to grief by a sudden fall, but
that he falls by a hopelesscollapse either from being deceived by beginning...
Simon the Cyrenian
... Still, it does not do us any harm to try to realise how very marked was thecollapse
of His physical nature, and to remember that thatcollapse was not...
Peter on the Waves
... by the magnetism of Christ. II. We have here the momentary triumph and
swiftcollapse of an impure faith. One can fancy with what...
David Appointing Solomon
... thunderbolt but a few years before? Yes, and a likecollapse of power befalls
us all, if life is prolonged. Those who most need the...
The Requirements of the King
... III. Then comes thecollapse of all the enthusiasm. The... shape! The completeness
and immediateness of thecollapse are noticeable....
The Servant's Triumph
... I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.' Listen to the penitent
thief's low voice gasping out in his pangs and almostcollapse: 'This man...
Thesaurus
Collapse (9 Occurrences)... 1. (vi) To fail suddenly and completely, like something hollow when subject to too
much pressure; to undergo a
collapse; as, Maximilian's government collapsed
...Collapsed (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofCollapse. Multi-Version Concordance
Collapsed (8 Occurrences). Luke 6:49 But he who hears...
Unfortunate (4 Occurrences)
... His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. (See NAS). Psalms 10:10 The helpless
are crushed. Theycollapse. They fall under his strength. (See NAS)....
Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... and gases of the active volcanic age; often, with the side broken out as if burst
by escaping vapor, the mass, having cooled too far tocollapse, remained an...
Broken (559 Occurrences)
... to frustrate," hence, "to break down" either by violence or by confusion and fear
(1 Samuel 2:10 Jeremiah 48:20, 39); dakhah = "tocollapse" (Psalm 44:19...
Colius
Antioch (21 Occurrences)
... In 83 BC, on thecollapse of the Seleucid monarchy, Antioch fell into the hands
of Tigranes, king of Armenia, who held Syria until his defeat by the Romans...
Syria (73 Occurrences)
... In 83 BC, on thecollapse of the Seleucid monarchy, Antioch fell into the hands
of Tigranes, king of Armenia, who held Syria until his defeat by the Romans...
Sinks (6 Occurrences)
... They hang far from men, they swing back and forth. (See NAS). Psalms 10:10 The helpless
are crushed. Theycollapse. They fall under his strength. (See RSV)....
Faint (76 Occurrences)
... passage in Isaiah 10:18, in which God pronounces the doom of Assyria when his purposes
of chastisement on Israel have been fulfilled, thecollapse of Assyria...
Resources
What is the canopy theory? | GotQuestions.orgDoes The Harbinger really predict America's future? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I overcome ministry burnout? | GotQuestions.orgCollapse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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