Wrath of God

<<God’s anger>>

Unlike our negative emotional anger that can quickly get out of control and cause untold and irretrievable damage (by not bringing about the righteousness God requires), His holy attitude, when confronted by sin and evil, is righteous and just (Rom 1:18-32; Jas 1:19,20). The extent of corruption on earth angered God and brought about the great flood while at Babel He caused the confusion of languages (Gen 6:5-7, 11-13; 11:7,9). God was angry that the Israelites quickly turned from following Him to worshipping idols and He was ready to destroy the nation but Moses pleaded with Him and they were spared (Ex 32:8-12). The wrath of God is consistently directed towards those who do not follow His will (Deut 1:26-46; Josh 7:1).

God’s displeasure with humanity’s sin and waywardness is designed to bring us to our senses – correcting the rebellion and restoring fellowship with our creator. Like His love, God’s anger is not spasmodic but consistent, and continues until the Day of Wrath (Judgement Day) when Christ will judge the world. His wrath is tempered with the mercy of opportunity for release from our sin and wickedness. This is through repentance which turns God’s wrath away from the sinner. So to reject God’s love, mercy, grace and favour is to incur His righteous wrath, the only alternative. "Unless you repent, you too will perish" (Lk 13:3,5; Act 3:19, 11:18).

We are to warn non-believers of their fate if they continue in unbelief for “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on…” those who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge their sin and repent (Ezek 3:18,19; Lk 3:7; Jn 3:36; Rom 2:5-10; Col 3:6; 1 Thes 1:10). Those who do not

Tell others how they can escape the wrath of God

receive Him as Saviour, will be judged on the Day of Wrath, being banished to the everlasting lake of fire, while those who believe receive divine grace and will not suffer God’s wrath for their sin, because Jesus took God’s wrath when He died in our place on the cross (Rom 5:6-11; Rev 21:8).

Even today God’s anger against sinful behaviour is shown in climatic and physical curses on humanity that are self-inflicted (Deut 11:17, 28:15-68; Rom 1:18). How much better it is to obey His commands, that are given for our benefit, and live righteous lives (Deut 28:1-14).