Retribution: A Consequence of Sin (8:53 – 8:59)

Retribution: A Consequence of Sin

[8:53] GOD does not change a blessing He has bestowed upon any people unless they themselves decide to change. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
[8:54] Such was the case with the people of Pharaoh and others before them. They first rejected the signs of their Lord. Consequently, we annihilated them for their sins. We drowned Pharaoh’s people; the wicked were consistently punished.
[8:55] The worst creatures in the sight of GOD are those who disbelieved; they cannot believe.
[8:56] You reach agreements with them, but they violate their agreements every time; they are not righteous.
[8:57] Therefore, if you encounter them in war, you shall set them up as a deterrent example for those who come after them, that they may take heed.
[8:58] When you are betrayed by a group of people, you shall mobilize against them in the same manner. GOD does not love the betrayers.
[8:59] Let not those who disbelieve think that they can get away with it; they can never escape.

In regards to 8:53:

[13:11] Shifts (of angels) take turns, staying with each one of you—they are in front of you and behind you. They stay with you, and guard you in accordance with GOD’s commands. Thus, GOD does not change the condition of any people unless they themselves make the decision to change. If GOD wills any hardship for any people, no force can stop it. For they have none beside Him as Lord and Master.

[9:74] They swear by GOD that they never said it, although they have uttered the word of disbelief; they have disbelieved after becoming submitters. In fact, they gave up what they never had. They have rebelled even though GOD and His messenger have showered them with His grace and provisions. If they repent, it would be best for them. But if they turn away, GOD will commit them to painful retribution in this life and in the Hereafter. They will find no one on earth to be their lord and master.

They Remove Their Families From God’s Protection

[14:28] Have you noted those who responded to GOD’s blessings by disbelieving, and thus brought disaster upon their own families?

Is the change in 8:53 temporary or permanent?

As long as we maintain God’s commandment we will be in God’s kingdom. If we decide to step out of God’s kingdom we will suffer the consequences until we come back to the right path.

Humans Fail to Make a Firm Stand*

[20:115] We tested Adam in the past, but he forgot, and we found him indecisive. Footnote [20:116] Recall that we said to the angels, “Fall prostrate before Adam.” They fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused. [20:117] We then said, “O Adam, this is an enemy of you and your wife. Do not let him evict you from Paradise, lest you become miserable. [20:118] “You are guaranteed never to hunger therein, nor go unsheltered. [20:119] “Nor will you thirst therein, nor suffer from any heat.” [20:120] But the devil whispered to him, saying, “O Adam, let me show you the tree of eternity and unending kingship.” [20:121] They ate from it, whereupon their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Adam thus disobeyed his Lord, and fell. [20:122] Subsequently, his Lord chose him, redeemed him, and guided him. [20:123] He said, “Go down therefrom, all of you. You are enemies of one another. When guidance comes to you from Me, anyone who follows My guidance will not go astray, nor suffer any misery.

For the Disbelievers: Miserable Life Unavoidable

[20:124] “As for the one who disregards My message, he will have a miserable life, and we resurrect him, on the Day of Resurrection, blind.” [20:125] He will say, “My Lord, why did you summon me blind, when I used to be a seer?” [20:126] He will say, “Because you forgot our revelations when they came to you, you are now forgotten.”

Even though God controls everything God created a system where we have to do our part, therefore we are not to be passive since God tells us to prepare, mobilize in the same manner, and set them up as a deterrent example.

Why TED Talks don’t change people’s behaviors: Tom Asacker at TEDxCambridge 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0jTZ-GP0N4