Good morning, everyone! I’m here to talk about God’s wrath in the New Testament.
First of all, what is wrath? Wrath is the feeling of anger or indignation caused by something bad or unjust. It is often associated with God because he is known for being wrathful and punishing people when they do wrong. In the Bible, there are many examples of God’s wrath. Here are just a few of them:
-In Genesis 6:7, we read that God was so angry with humans that he decided to destroy them all with a flood.
-In Genesis 18:25-32, we see an example of God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah for their sinful ways.
-In 2 Samuel 18:1-4 and 2 Sam 19:20-23, we see another example of how David repented for his sins after being punished by God (in this case, through death). This article discusses the wrath of god explained.
Here on earth, in its fallen condition, love is impossible without rage against oppression and evil.
It’s no secret that I have a strong faith in radical grace. But I must face the fear-inducing subject of God’s wrath. If I don’t address this, some people may say I’m only interested in “feel-good, self-help” principles from the Bible and ignoring the complete counsel of God. But I will follow the clear message of Scripture no matter where it may take me.
But I will say that I was hesitant to tackle this subject. However, I have finally done so, and it has taught me a great deal. My fears were unfounded; it was far easier than I anticipated.
Let’s try if I can conduct this research without causing undue alarm among participants. This treatise also talks more about signs of gods wrath.
Examples Of God’s Wrath In The New Testament
The wrath of God is something that the Bible speaks about quite frequently. This is especially the case in the Old Testament. But what about the New Testament? Does it talk about it? Absolutely! In this article, we will look at some examples of how the wrath of God is mentioned in the New Testament.
According to the Bible, God’s wrath is a common theme in both the Old Testament and New Testament. The wrath of God is usually portrayed as something that He will use against people who are not following His commandments or who have sinned against Him. In this article, we will take a look at several examples of how it is mentioned in the New Testament.
There are several instances where the wrath of God is referenced in the New Testament:
- Matthew 3:7-10 – John the Baptist refers to himself as one “who brings repentance.” This means that he believes that people should be sorry for their sins and seek forgiveness from Him.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 – This passage refers back to verses 6-7 where Paul discusses how Jesus Himself will return with great power and glory from heaven to judge all people who are still living on earth at this time (that is before Jesus’ second coming).
John 3:36
John 3:36
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.
The writer of this verse wants you to know there is a choice in this world between belief and unbelief. If you choose to believe, then you will have everlasting life and be free from God’s wrath. If you choose not to believe, then your end will be destruction by His hand at His discretion (1 John 5:11-13).
Revelation 6:16
This verse doesn’t just speak to the mood of the entire passage, but to the tone and theme as well. In fact, one could argue that this is one of the most important verses in Revelation 6 because it sets up what’s going to happen throughout these seven seals. The mood here is a little more somber than some of the other passages where there’s hope for those who have faith in Jesus Christ; however, this time there’s no mention of God feeling sorry for his creation or any kind of salvation or redemption for anyone. Even though our sin put us in this position, God still has wrath left over for sinners like us (even though we don’t deserve it).
Romans 1:18
Romans 1:18 provides a more detailed explanation of this wrath.
The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shewn it unto them. For the invisible things of Him since His creation are clearly seen, being perceived through His works, even His eternal power and godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Ephesians 2:3
Ephesians 2:3 says that God is “the Father of all who believe and are led by the Spirit.” The word “believe” means to be convinced or persuaded by something, and it’s important to note that this belief doesn’t come from us; it comes through the Holy Spirit working in us.
We need to remember that no matter how hard we try, we will never be able to solve all our own problems. We cannot fix ourselves or find salvation on our own; we must receive forgiveness from God through Jesus Christ (John 1:12). When you realize this, you’ll be ready to accept God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ!
Revelation 14:10
Revelation 14:10-11 says, “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image.”
This verse tells us that those who do not obey God will be tormented with fire. The punishment for disobedience is eternal.
The wrath of God is a subject that is mentioned a number of times in the New Testament.
The wrath of God is a subject that is mentioned a number of times in the New Testament. Although it may seem like an obscure topic, understanding the wrath of God can be very important for us as Christians.
One way to understand what the Bible says about God’s wrath is to look at how it is used in other parts of Scripture. For example, we see it mentioned in Paul’s letters where he writes: “For this reason also, since I heard about you, I have been keeping away from you all together so that I might not build upon another man’s foundation; otherwise you have become suspicious and have fallen into condemnation…for if someone comes and preaches another Jesus whom we did not preach or if you receive a different spirit which you had not received before then it will be appointed for judgment on this world (1 Corinthians 3).
In addition to being mentioned throughout the New Testament, there are also several examples where people were punished by God because they did not heed His warnings or commands (e..g., Sodom).
The Wrath Of God Explained
Anger, indignation, vexation, and irritation are all common synonyms for wrath, which is described as “the emotional response to perceived wrong and injustice.” Humans and God both have an angry side. However, the wrath of God differs greatly from the wrath of man. While God’s fury is always just, it is uncommon that man’s wrath may be described in the same terms.
As seen in the Old Testament, human sin and disobedience provoke God’s wrath. Most frequently, the sin of worshipping an idol brought down the wrath of God. Israel’s idolatry is detailed in Psalm 78:56–66. God’s anger is always aimed at those who disobey His commands (Deuteronomy 1:26-46; Joshua 7:1; Psalm 2:1-6). Many prophecies in the Old Testament refer to a future “day of wrath” (Zephaniah 1:14-15). Because God is holy and flawless, His plan for humanity is holy and perfect, and so is God’s wrath against sin and disobedience. Repentance, which turns God’s wrath away from the sinner, is the means God created for gaining divine favor. Rejecting that flawless plan means rejecting God’s compassion, mercy, grace, and favor and inviting His rightful wrath.
The idea that God is a vengeful judge who punishes evil is also supported by the New Testament. The rich man and Lazarus is a parable about God’s judgment and the dire consequences that await the unrepentant sinner (Luke 16:19–31). If you believe in the Son, you will have eternal life, but if you reject the Son, you will not see life, since God’s wrath remains on you (John 3:36). Those who put their faith in the Son are spared God’s anger since the Son bore the just punishment for their sins on the cross (Romans 5:6–11). Those who reject the Son’s atoning sacrifice will face eternal punishment (Romans 2:5–6).
On the other hand, Romans 12:19, Ephesians 4:26, and Colossians 3:8-10 all caution against the destructive nature of human anger. Only God can exact justice, for His vengeance is pure and holy, whereas human anger is corrupt and makes its target vulnerable to the devil. Anger and rage are antithetical to the new nature that Christians have taken on by accepting Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). A believer’s heart needs to be sanctified and cleansed by the Holy Spirit of all wrath and anger before he can experience freedom from the control of wrath. A person who is walking in the Spirit is shown to have triumphed over sin in Romans 8. (Romans 8:5-8). According to Philippians 4:4-7, a Spirit-led mind is at peace.
God’s wrath is truly awful and terrible. Only those who have been washed clean by Christ’s blood, shed for us on the cross, can have peace of mind that God’s anger will never touch them. How much more, then, may we be saved from God’s wrath through Him, seeing as how now we have been justified by His blood! (Ephesians 5:9).
Signs Of Gods Wrath
Consider these five unavoidable facts about God’s wrath from the Bible:
- The wrath of God is fair.
Some people’s view of the God of the Old Testament has evolved to include him as a moral monster who is not deserving of worship.
Biblical authors, on the other hand, face no such difficulty. Some even argue that God’s anger is totally consistent with God’s justice. However, Paul says, “because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up anger for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s rightful judgment will be revealed” (Romans 2:5). This means that our level of sin deserves a level of God’s anger.
The Bible teaches that God’s anger is love in action against sin.
Proverbs 24:12 states something similar: “If you reply, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Doesn’t he who guards your spirit realize it, and doesn’t he give each person what they deserve for their efforts?
“God’s wrath in the Bible is never the capricious, self-indulgent, irritated, morally ignoble thing that human rage so often is,” says J.I. Packer. Instead, it’s a justifiable measure taken in response to a genuine moral wrong (Knowing God, 151).
There is good reason to be afraid of God’s anger.
We should all be afraid of God’s anger since we have all sinned and come short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Without Christ, we are justly condemned sinners who deserve God’s vengeance (Romans 5:1). The vengeance of God is terrifying because he can deliver on his promises (Jeremiah 32:17). Fear God’s anger because He threatens eternal punishment for those who reject Christ (Matthew 25:46).
Neither the Old nor the New Testaments change God’s wrath in any way.
A frequent misconception is that the God of the Old Testament was cruel and vengeful while the God of the New Testament was gentle and forgiving. Neither of these depictions accurately reflects what the Bible says about God’s wrath.
In both the Old and the New Testaments, we read incredibly terrifying accounts of God’s wrath. Just a few examples are as follows:
If God did not punish evil, he would not be God.
Look out, here comes the Lord’s storm! A whirlwind of wrath has been released, and it will soon crash down on the heads of the wicked. As the Scriptures state (Jeremiah 30:23),
The Lord is a jealous God who exacts vengeance on his enemies; he is a God who is wrathful and who stores up his anger for those who oppose him. (Nahum 1:2)
Because God’s anger is shown from above against all ungodliness and unrighteousness on the part of mankind, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Paul’s argument on the importance of faith (Romans 1:18)
He will govern with an iron fist and a sword from his mouth. He will crush grapes in the winepress of God’s anger. (Apocalypse 19:15)
God’s wrath is his love at work, and it is directed toward those who sin.
This may seem absurd, but bear with me.
If God is love, then all he does is for his glory (1 John 4:8; Romans 11:36). His obsession with his own glorification is healthy. Because of this, God’s governing of the world is aimed squarely at maximizing his own glory. Because of this, God cannot be God if God does not act justly and judge sin (i.e., react with anger). God’s indignation against sin stems from his desire to preserve his honor.
God’s desire to be glorified is a sobering truth for many, and it’s certainly not good news for those who are guilty of sinning. True, “it is terrifying to be delivered into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
Five, Christ satisfies God’s anger.
God has done what we could not accomplish, and what we didn’t deserve, in rescuing us from his own anger.
And this is the best news of all: “Christ Jesus came into the world to redeem sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). God is justifiable in His judgment of sinners because of Christ (Romans 3:26). God has accomplished what we were incapable of, and he has done so despite our undeservingness. Charles Wesley’s joy at the news was warranted.
Moreover, is it possible that I might develop a fascination with the life-giving fluid of Christ the Redeemer?
And he sacrificed his life for me, the one who made him suffer.
Who, if anyone, did he have to die to escape?
Wow, that’s some serious love! How is it possible that you, my God, would give up your life for me?