The Scriptures also frame divine blessing within an apocalyptic framework. By the word of the Lord, everything with the breath of life was blessed by the Creator in the beginning: “And God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply . . . ’” (Gen. 1:22). This same divine blessing is reiterated in the new heavens and new earth in the end: “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life” (Rev. 22:14). Conversely, divine cursing is declared in the beginning (Gen. 3:14, 17) so as to frustrate creation (Rom. 8:20) and bring about repentance (cf. Ps. 73:3–17; Hos. 5:14–15; Rev. 9:20–21; etc.). This divine cursing culminates in the end with the judgment of the wicked—“Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire” (Matt. 25:41)—while the blessing of God culminates in the resurrection: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:34). - John P. Harrigan