Wrath of God
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”” (John 3:36, NKJV)
Occurences in the Bible
The phrase “the wrath of God” occurs ten times in the NKJV of the Bible. We also read of His indignation. For example, “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb (Revelation 14:10, KJV)”. We also read of God’s anger. For example, “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day (Psalms 7:11, KJV)”. We also read of His vengeance. For example, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, KJV).”A
Differences
I suppose that there are theological differences that I cannot explain between these concepts of wrath, indignation, anger, and vengeance. But one thing is clear to me. God has mercy on sinners who come to Him for salvation because they recognize their sin nature and the acts of sin that result from that nature. We who are believers in the Lord realize that apart from the cross, the wrath of God would be abiding (right now) on us. But God is a God who does not take lightly those who put their hope in a man like Barrabus (an insurrectionist and a murderer) instead of the Lord who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Those who serve pagan gods (which seems to start with Nimrod in Genesis 11) instead of the living God who created them, also anger God.
Many people criticize God for judging unbelievers (both nations and individuals) for rejecting Him. He says He is a jealous God and He wants devoted hearts. He is not going to share His worship with other make-believe gods and He certainly is not going to share His worship with the lying, murdering, rebellious adversary called the Devil.
Prophecy
The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ tells us of the coming wrath of God on a Christ-rejecting world. There are wars and rumors of war. There are people who finally have to admit that God is on the throne and is angry with those who have rejected Him. The sixth seal judgment in Revelation chapter 6 should be read by everyone who rebels against God. It says, ” And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand? (Revelation 6:12-17 NKJV).'”
The Bible is clear that the Lord Jesus wins the battle between good and evil. There is a day coming when every knee is going to bow before the Lord Jesus who was crucified when He came the first time. The Bible says, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV).”
Which will it Be?
John 3:36 quoted above makes it clear and makes it simple. Believe on the Lord and obtain all the blessings associated with eternal life. Reject the Lord and experience the wrath of God for doing so. The sad part is that everyone who endures God’s wrath will find out that they were actually loved by God and that they could have been saved or delivered from the wrath to come. John 3:16 says that God loved the world. I believe that means that He loved the whole world. It must break His heart when people reject that love. And yes, they will experience God’s wrath, anger, indignation, and vengeance. I don’t know why anyone would want to anger God by rejecting His love. Mercy or wrath, salvation or damnation, eternal life or eternal damnation are different ways of expressing the choices that we all have.
Now is the time to believe God and to believe on or trust in HIs Son. Why anger God when He wants to save and not condemn? We read (and it is true), “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17 NKJV).”
I am saved. Are you?
Bruce Collins
Meditation for the week of November 6, 2022
No comments yet.