Chapter 15 The Wrath of God J I

Chapter 15 The Wrath of God J. I. Packer’s “Knowing GOD”

Definition: Wrath is an intense anger (usually on an epic scale), retributory punishment for an offense or a crime and indignation: a feeling of righteous anger aroused by injustice. Anger: stirring of resentful displeasure and strong antagonism by a sense of injury or insult

The Battle Hymn of the Republic Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord, He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He hath loosed his fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword, His truth is marching on

The Bible on God’s Wrath Old Testament select verses: New Testament select verses Leviticus 10: 1 -3 Romans 1: 18 Deuteronomy 32: 35 Romans 2: 5 1 Chron 13: 7 -12 Romans 12: 19 Nahum 1: 2 -8 Luke 21: 22 -24 Isaiah 63: 6 Revelation 6: 16 -17 Revelation 16: 19

Why do People feel this way about God’s Wrath? 1) People think that the ideas of Wrath are unworthy of God 2)Some see it as God losing control, an outburst, which may be irrational 3) Still others see the Wrath of God as cruelty

What Drives people to think this? 1) Emotionally 2) We don’t know how sinful we actually are!

Absolute Holiness Scale We Just Don’t Realize OR HOW HOLY GOD IS How Bad We Are! V Hitler Satan GOD Perfect Holiness Pure Evil “Good Person “

But we should keep in Mind… 1) God’s Wrath in the Bible is always judicial; it is equal to the sin (Romans 2: 5 -8 ) 2) God’s wrath is something people choose for themselves (John 3: 18 -19 and 3: 36 )

What do we learn from Jesus? Mark 9: 42 -48: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. ’

Summing up Wrath 1) The meaning of God’s wrath Hebrews 10: 26 -31 2) The revelation of God’s wrath Romans 1: 18 3) Deliverance from God’s wrath Romans 3: 21 -25 Propitiation is a sacrifice that averts wrath through expiating (to atone for; make amends or reparation) sin and canceling guilt.