Ecclesiastes 8:13, commentary and pictures

The verse sets two classes in contrast: it shall be well with those who fear before God, but it shall not be well with the wicked, whose defining mark is that they fear not before God. The wicked shall not truly prolong their days, which are as a shadow: their lives are brief and not securely prolonged, with no lasting life or favorable end. Even when judgment is delayed and they live on for a time, their apparent continuance gives no security.

Though a sinner does evil a hundred or many times and his days are prolonged because sentence against an evil work is not speedily executed, delay is not escape or approval. God does not visit wrongs at once with immediate retribution, and judgments do not always fall at once, yet wrongdoing does not escape its consequences. The prolonged life is only forbearance for test and trial. God patiently gives individuals and nations a period of opportunity and light, but judgment comes when guilt and iniquity are full and truth is persistently rejected, and it is a fearful thing to wear out divine patience, with judgment without mercy on those who showed no mercy.

Transgression of a just and righteous law must inevitably result in misery and ruin, with wickedness working out its own doom and the wicked reaping the fruits of rebellion and falling by their own wickedness. Centuries of apostasy and crime treasure up wrath against the day of retribution. This applies to those who show respect of persons, despise the poor, form confederacies for favors, and injure Jesus in the person of His saints, who will surely be punished.

It also applies to those who profess godliness while cherishing known sin: they may conceal it from others, escape visible judgment, and appear prosperous and pious, but God cannot be deceived, and because punishment is delayed they grow bold, harden their hearts, and continue in sin. The final outcome is conditional on fearing God and overcoming sin: the prolonged days are only life prolonged on this earth. For the ungodly will not prolong days in the earth made new but shall cease to be, will not be made holy happy angels in heaven, and will receive the reward of their hands, wrath and tribulation and anguish according to their deeds.

This principle was fulfilled when France openly set aside the law of God and the Bible. The restraining Spirit that checks evil was in great measure removed, Satan was permitted to work his will, and those who chose rebellion were left to reap its fruits in the Reign of Terror. Religion, law, social order, family, state and church were smitten down in widespread violence and social collapse.