The Wrath of God

      When is the last time you saw or heard a sermon on the wrath of God or hell? Especially on radio or TV? The “promote self esteem” and the “power of positive preaching” movements have attempted to minimize / eliminate the idea of the wrath of God and an eternal hell (Stott, Bruce, Fudge).

      “Preaching about judgment and hell just doesn’t appeal to the masses today. People have so many earthly cares and concerns, they need to feel good about themselves.” Thus, the emphasis is entirely on the love of God and what God will do for you. But we all know love can produce anger in us, and God is no different. It behooves us to study and understand the wrath of God because God’s wrath . . .

1.   Is REAL

      a.   God’s “fierce wrath” is found 7 times in the Old Testament.

      b.   John the Baptist’s preaching included the wrath of God: Matt 3:7

      c.   God’s wrath abides on those who believe not in His Son: Jn 3:36

      d.   The destruction of Jerusalem was a manifestation of this wrath: Luke 21:23

      e.   God’s wrath is mentioned 10 times in Revelation.

2.   Is REVEALED

      a.   Romans 1:18

      b.   Hosea 8:7

      c.   Galatians 6:7-8

3.   Is RIGHTEOUS

      a.   It is not like my wrath! I can get mad over the smallest of things, or even the wrong thing (cf Jam 1:19-20), but I am not alone:

            i.   Cain – Genesis 4

            ii.  Saul:

                  (1) 1 Samuel 18-19 – provoked by his jealousy of good David

                  (2) 1 Samuel 20 – provoked by Jonathan’s loyalty to David

            iii. Jonah – Jonah 4:4, 9 “Doest thou well to be angry?”

      b.   Its manifestation fits every situation perfectly – Deut 32:4

      c.   It has an appropriate object – Romans 1:18

      d.   We are without excuse for failure to believe – Romans 1:21

4.   Is RESTRAINED (for now)

      a.   Even when we are angry with cause (Eph 4:26-27), our reaction can be unfitting for the occasion

            i.   Moses:

                  (1) Exodus 32:19 – breaking the tables containing the Law

                  (2) Numbers 20 – smiting the rock

            ii.  James & John – Luke 9:52-56

      b.   Jesus was angry during His earthly ministry (John 2:13-17) but His reaction was measured and appropriate.

      c.   God has every right to smite the earth and everyone in it for their disobedience, but He is longsuffering, desiring that all might come to repentance – 2 Peter 3:9 (cf Rom 2:4-6)

5.   Is RESERVED for Judgment

      a.   2 Peter 2:4

      b.   Revelation 6:16-17

      c.   Revelation 14:11-13