The coming of such a destruction will be averted as long as there are some righteous among the people. It is when they drive the righteous from among them that the sword of the Lord shall fall. The prophets declare that if such a day comes it will be when hypocrisy, murder and secret abominations prevail throughout the land, and no doubt the patience of the intelligent and righteous would be exhausted long before the Lord finally showed forth the power of his indignation.