The Wrath of God

"God isn't mad at anyone, He poured out all His wrath upon His Son Jesus on the cross."

I heard this statement many years ago from a man who had a Doctorate in Theology, meaning he had studied about 8 or 10 years for his degree on the nature of God.

I will tell you that the man I am speaking of was my mentor in the study of the Bible. I listened intently for five years to the things he spoke about concerning God. He was my pastor during those five years ... and I shed a few tears when he left. I thought to myself, "Who can teach me about Jesus like this man can." And honestly ... no one else has. I have never known a man that understood the Word of God like He did.
 

He once told me years later when I saw him again that I made him go back and search the Word of God to reconsider what he believed and taught, to make sure it was right. You see ... I question things that people say ... like the quoted statement from him that I started with.

So, if "God isn't mad at anyone" ... then why does Paul speak about God's wrath in ...

Romans 1:18-20 ... "For 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 hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."

By "the wrath of God" is meant the displeasure and anger of God at sin and sinners, as well as His punitive justice ... the judgments which he executes now in this world and the wrath to come in the next world, of which man because of sin is deserving of.

This wrath is said to be revealed where? ... from Heaven ... but mostly in the Mosaic Law of the past, and observed all through the Scriptures where there are many instances and examples of God's wrath, as in the total destruction of the old world by a world wide flood, the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the plagues of Egypt to name just a few.

This wrath that is said to be "revealed from heaven" could also be known and seen by the operation of nature in the awful blackness which covers the heavens when the storm clouds pour down floods of rain or when lightning starts fire storms on the inhabitants of the world openly in the sight of all men everywhere. This wrath is also revealed in the heart of man, but men just continue to darken their hearts and worship the creature more than the Creator.

The word wrath that Paul used is "orge" (pronounced or-gay' ) in the original Greek, which means ... a reaching forth, (that is by analogy) violent passion, ire, or justifiable abhorrence; by implication then it means, punishment ... anger, vengeance, wrath.

God, by virtue of who He is, anytime He so chooses, could reach forth and touch us either in blessing or with His ire against sin ... but thankfully the Lord ... doesn't give us what we deserve.

John the Baptist at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus also spoke of the wrath of God years before Paul did. Paul spoke of God's wrath being revealed, but John the Baptist spoke of the consequence of that wrath upon a sinful life. He said in ...

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 word abideth in the original is "meno" (pronounced men'-o) and means ... to stay or continue, to dwell upon, be present, remain ... abide.

I believe you could say this is a warning to unbelievers about the wrath of God ... the anger of God and His opposition to their sin ... and it also implies that the terrible effects of this wrath will continue to remain on him in eternity. But could it also be speaking of this world as well as the next? I will let you interpret that verse for yourself.

It says the wrath abideth on him ... which might imply that the sinner is now under the wrath of God, under it's condemnation, whatever consequence that involves. Some sin produces bad consequences in this life.

Albert Barnes ... the old theologian from the mid 1800's, as only he can, expresses with clarity the situation unbelievers will find themselves in and what they must do to escape the wrath of God. He says ...

"As there is no way of escaping the wrath of God but by the Lord Jesus Christ, so those who will not believe must go to eternity as they are and bear alone all that God may choose to inflict upon him. Such is the miserable condition of the sinner. Yet thousands choose to remain in this state, and to encounter alone all that is terrible in the wrath of Almighty God, rather than come to Jesus, who has borne their sins in his own body on the tree, and who is willing to bless them with the peace, and purity, and joy of immortal life."

So, even though my beloved mentor stated ... "God isn't mad at anyone, He poured out all His wrath upon His Son Jesus on the cross" ... which is true considering what Jesus went through so we wouldn't have to; the wrath of God is still a waiting reality for those who do not know Jesus, because God's Holiness demands it.

But He has made a way to escape it.

Comments welcome.