WRATH OF GOD

The Wrath of God

     God is Love (1 John 4:7-11).  But God does punish sin.  He wants everyone to repent and come to Him.  In the Book of Revelation: Bowls of wrath are poured out on the wicked; Trumpets of warning are blown to call to repentance; Seals of safety are placed on those who trust and obey.

     God is real.

     “It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that He exists and that He cares enough to respond to those who seek Him.”  Heb 11:6 (MSG)

     “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”  Psalms 14:1-3 (KJV)

     This wisdom psalm contains some characteristics of lament and prophetic speech. The ideals of Ps 8 have run aground on the reality of foolish human attitudes and sinful actions. With the exception of vv 5-6, this psalm parallels Ps 53.  Paul uses phrases from the Greek OT in Romans 3:10-12.  The entire world, Jew and Gentile, is contaminated by sin and needs a Savior.  God took action and reconciled the world to Himself in Christ Jesus.  We preach the Gospel of Reconciliation to God.

     Faith in God’s Act in Christ to bring us to Himself.

     “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”  Romans 3:19-20 (NKJV)

     “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?  This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”  Gal 3:1-2 (NKJV)

     God speaks by His Creation.

     “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”  Romans 1:18-21 (KJV)

     “What winds God up big time is the dark stuff that people get stuck into just to drown out the truth. But the truth about God is built into our programming – it’s in our circuits. The evidence smacks you in the face, from the smallest microcosm to the biggest star system – all trademarked “God”. And it doesn’t take a genius to work out what God’s like from what he’s made. No excuses.” Lacey

     "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.  The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth." Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” Rev 11:17-19 (NKJV)

     “Verse 19 provides a dramatic conclusion to the first half of Revelation and a link to the second half. • In this scene, the Temple and the Ark are symbols of God's presence; the earthly Ark was the copy of the design of the Ark in heaven (see Exod 25:40; Heb 8:5).”—NLT Study Bible

     Our God is Kingdom and Power and Glory.  Our World of Time is a place of experiencing and learning.  Faith in Christ is the Victory.  God’s wrath comes against sin and evil.  But God’s forgiveness and blessing comes to all who come to Him in trust and obedience.

     “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”  John 6:37-38 (NKJV)