July 23, 2020
Do you believe there is a purpose for God’s wrath? I do. Have you ever wanted God’s wrath to pour down on a person or group? I have. Or maybe, you would you like to forget about a wrathful God and remember only a loving God? Does the wrath of God have any real purpose or is He just being vindictive? Is it possible to have justice with out wrath? No.
Let’s look at our God who is wrathful and see why God demonstrated His wrath. Let’s start in the New Testament and look at Jesus, who most people only associate with love, and see how He will demonstrate His wrath.
Let me address how I have wanted God’s wrath poured out on someone or some group. When I was in grade school, another boy a few grades older than me was physically bullying me. I really wanted God to punish him. I had done nothing to him and I did not understand why he was bullying me. But what I wanted was for God to punish him, not sometime in the future but right then and there. I didn’t see that happen. I wanted justice not mercy. I wanted him to suffer like he was making me suffer.
It is clear to me God demonstrates His wrath when His holiness is violated. God describes His holiness to Moses In Exodus 33:18-20, “And He said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name “The Lord.” And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.’But, he said, ‘you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.’” God’ holiness is so great that man cannot look upon it without perishing. See more about God’s Holiness in a previous blog.
Further examples of God’s wrath are as follows.
The example of the rebellion of Dathan, Abiram and some 250: “But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord.”
And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart.” Numbers 16:30-31 (ESV)
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot’s wife; “The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”
Genesis 19:23-26 (ESV) God did this because of the sinfulness of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Ananias and Sapphira, “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last.” Acts 5:4-5a (ESV)
“After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.’ And she said, ‘Yes, for so much.’ But Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.” Acts 5:7-10a.
I could continue with other examples from the Old Testament, but space is limited yet I do want to address two points of God’s wrath concerning Jesus.
Jesus died on the cross because of God’s wrath against the sinfulness of mankind. Jesus was perfect and did not deserve the cross but rather He endured the cross. When Jesus died on the cross two things happened. God left Him for the first time in all eternity. Jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46b (ESV) Jesus paid the price for our sins. “Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:17 (ESV)
Then there is the return of Jesus the complete example of God’s love returning with wrath upon the evil of the world. “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped inblood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rulethem with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)
God’s wrath delivers His justice and our freedom. Because of this I am glad that God is wrathful and merciful. In His wrath evil was destroyed on the cross for me and you, and in the future, it will be eliminated. This brings me hope both for today and for the future. If you want this kind of hope then you need to know Jesus.
