Ecclesiastes 8:12
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
Doing evil a hundred times with days prolonged means a sinner may repeat evil many times over and still live a long life without immediate, speedy, or visible punishment, while to fear God means to live in reverence before Him. Long life after repeated wrongdoing does not make evil safe and does not mean it will go well for the evildoer in the end. Delayed punishment can embolden sinners to persist in evil, and when sentence is not executed speedily the heart becomes fully set to do evil.
The delay is patient forbearance that gives nations and individuals time and further light, and gives opportunity for test and trial. God does not immediately visit wrongs done against Christ in the person of His saints, for if He did many would keep the letter of the law outwardly from selfish fear of punishment without permanent reformation. The delay does not mean escape and does not mean evil will prosper in the end. Persistent rebellion and rejection of light stores up judgment and fills the measure of guilt until iniquity is full, divine patience is worn out, and the restraining Spirit is largely removed. Transgression of a just and righteous law inevitably works out misery, ruin, and doom, as the wicked reap the results of their own choices and their deeds bring judgment.
This cause and effect was seen openly when France rejected God and set aside the Bible by the National Council and the Reign of Terror followed. Centuries of apostasy and crime treasured up wrath until those who chose rebellion were left to reap devastated provinces, ruined cities, and crimes too horrible to trace. Yet it is surely known that in the end it shall be well with those who fear God before Him and it shall not be well with the wicked. The wicked fall by their own wickedness, and their days shall not be prolonged like a shadow. The ungodly and unrepentant will not be placed in heaven as holy, happy angels, which refutes the claim that all will be saved, and they will not share in the earth made new. Those with whom it shall not be well include those who deal partially, show favor to a select number, neglect and wound others, and show no mercy.