The Wrath of God

by Terry Wane Benton

God showed His wrath (Romans 1:18) against sin and unrighteousness by destroying the earth with a flood (Genesis 6-9). The markings of that flood are still around to remind us of the wrath of God. Sodom and Gomorrah were burned up with fire and brimstone to remind us of the wrath of God.

God has not changed. These reminders are there for us to take into account. The goodness of God should lead men to repentance (Romans 2:4) but nobody will escape the judgment of God (Romans 2:3). What many are doing in their choices of behavior is "treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each one according to his deeds" (Romans 2:5).

This final display of wrath is not the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. No! This wrath is "also of the Greek" (Romans 2:9), which means there is a final judgment for the whole world. (John 12:48; Matthew 25:33ff). We choose whether to go for the wrath or eternal life plans. It should be an easy choice.

It comes down to whether we are wise or foolish. The wise prepare, and the foolish put things off (Matthew 25). The wise choices of today can set in motion the readiness for judgment. The foolish choices of today mount up the direction toward the wrath of God. It comes down to being wise or foolish! Don't follow the crowd! They are foolishly going the wrong way (Matthew 7:13f). Think for yourself! Will it be wrath or glory?