THE WRATH OF GOD
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Romans 1:18
Some find it difficult to reconcile God’s love with His anger and wrath. They see God as being compassionate and kind, but they struggle with comprehending the wrath of God. We are comforted and secure in the confidence that God does indeed love us as no mortal could, but that does not mean He is not angered by sin. There are many in our world that prefer a God who loves them but reject a God who would judge them. It is this kind of perverted view that leads parents to say they love their children too much to correct them.
Regardless of men’s opinions, there is much evidence that the God of the Bible is a God of wrath. In Noah’s day, God destroyed the population of the world because of the wickedness of man. The flood was a demonstration of God’s wrath. Similarly, God rained fire and brimstone on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of His wrath. There are many examples of God’s wrath found in the pages of Scripture. According to the pure Word of God, there is coming a day when God’s wrath will be poured out on this earth in a way that has never been seen before. The Bible refers to it as a time of great tribulation, and it will take place on the earth after the saved are caught up to be with the Lord in the air. “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17). After this period of unprecedented wrath and judgment, those who are not saved, along with the devil and his angels, will spend eternity in the lake of fire experiencing the full measure of God’s wrath.
God is truly a God of mercy and love, but He is also a God of wrath. Those who reject God’s salvation through grace will one day experience His great wrath. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
As God’s children, we know His loving correction and chastisement but we will never face His horrible wrath. Thank God for His great love that sent Jesus to die for sinners on the cruel cross of Calvary. Were it not for His mercy and forgiveness, we would one day experience His wrath. Like John the Baptist, we are to warn others to flee from the wrath to come.