Reference

Isaiah 44:22

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
20

He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

21

Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

22

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

23

Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

24

Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Annihilation / Destruction

The verse describes God blotting out transgressions and sins, which is an act of forgiveness and removal, not the destruction or annihilation of the wicked. In fact, it explicitly calls for the recipient to "return unto me," implying their continued existence and potential for reconciliation.

Destruction / Perishing Language

The verse explicitly states that transgressions and sins have been "blotted out," which is a removal or cancellation, not a destruction or perishing of the wicked themselves. Furthermore, the verse is an invitation to "return unto me," implying a path to redemption rather than a declaration of the wicked's fate.