Opening Prayer: O, Lord, my Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:9, ESV). We praise Your name, a Holy of God. We know that sin is an affront to Your divine nature. Forgive us, O, Lord, where we have fallen short of Your expectations and set us on a track of obedience. In Jesus blessed name we pray, Amen.
This Week’s Bible Verse: Read Romans 1:18-20, ESV
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse (Romans 1:18-20, ESV).
Associated Scriptures:
…the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, NASB).
Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come (Colossians 3:5-7, NASB).
And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty (Revelation 19:15, NASB).
Supportive Quotes:
Paul added that because of these evils the wrath of God is coming. The words "is coming" render the present tense “erchetai” (lit., "comes"). This suggests that God's wrath has already begun (cf. John 3:36).[1] – John Walvoord
God has a right to be angry at sin and to judge it, because He is holy and just. (Ephesians 4:26).[2] – Warren Wiersbe
God's wrath is "His eternal detestation of all unrighteousness.”[3] – John MacArthur
Biblical Analysis:
The word wrath is used 198 times in the New King James Bible.[4] A word used this often in the Bible makes us stand up and take notice. His wrath is against sin. Since He is Perfect and Just, God has a right to be angry at those who commit actions that are against His nature. Because He is the potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8), He has the right to be angry when we don’t follow His instructions.
The wrath of God is a righteous action since it is a product of His righteousness or justice. Wrath is one of the ways that God differentiates between good and evil. God rewards good and punishes evil. If God did not get angry at sin, it would be impossible to discern the difference between right and wrong.
Charles Spurgeon makes this insightful statement about the wrath of God: “That tremendous danger (spending an eternity being punished for sin) is the wrath of God. There is a wrath of God which remains on every ungodly man and woman. Whether men and women like that truth or not, it is written, ‘God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day’” [Psalm 7:11].[5]
Christ’s death on the cross paid the price for the sin of mankind. The blood of Jesus provided the atonement that was the catalyst for our salvation (Ephesians 1:7). Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are free from sin, positionally pure before God. Believers will escape the final judgment (Psalm 1:1-3). We will not be cast into the lake of fire. Our sins are covered (Revelation 21:1-4).
No unbeliever will escape the wrath of God. They will suffer from their own unrighteous actions, their bodies, in this world (Romans 1:26-31), and subsequent to their death, they will endure the wrath of God for eternity. That’s a lose-lose situation. Revelation 20:15 describes the final estate of the unrighteous, those who reject the gospel message and refused God’s salvation, “…whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Spiritual Application:
God’s wrath is different than man’s wrath. Our anger is selfish outrage, motivated by not getting want we want. His anger is righteous indication.
Lesson Within the Lesson:[6]
In your own words, explain what God says about His vengeance and fury toward sin. Include the Scripture reference.
Is God’s wrath a divine reaction? Explain.
What is God’s response to evil and unrighteousness?
Why is God angry against sin?
For more information on this subject and others you may contact Dr. Hitchcock a brucehitch@msn.com.
[1] Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries. All rights reserved.
[2] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
[3] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Copyright © Moody Press and John MacArthur, Jr., 1983-2007.
[4] Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: New American Standard Bible, updated ed., Lockman Foundation, 1995.
[5] Charles Spurgeon, Flee the Coming Wrath, emanate domain, biblebb.com/files/spurgeon/2704.htm.
[6] Chapel Library, The Attributes of God, A. W. Pink, Study Guide, © Copyright 1999 Chapel Library, chapellibrary.org/files/3514/3941/3811/ATR-SG.pdf
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