Appointed wrath vs. obtained salvation
Often, the great epochs of God’s plan are described by the term “day.” For instance, the period of time in which we are living is sometimes referred to as “the day of grace” or “the day of salvation.” However, a time is coming that is called “the day of wrath and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:5).
Wrath is defined as the settled anger towards sin and sinful humanity. There are several aspects of God’s wrath: temporal (e.g. Rom. 1:24,?26,?28), eschatological (e.g. the day of the Lord, Rom. 2:5; 2 Thess. 1:8f), and eternal (the lake of fire, Rev. 20:14f; 14:11).
Extent of Wrath
The day of God’s wrath will involve the outpouring of wrath on a global scale. There is historic precedent for this in the global flood in Noah’s day. The period of time for the day of wrath is roughly equivalent to the seven years outlined in the book of Revelation. The first of the judgments to occur in this period are the seal judgments. While considered to be more providential in nature—famine, pestilence, etc.—they are still identified as the wrath of God: “For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Rev. 6:17). This is important for identifying even the early portion of Revelation as the wrath of God, a time from which the church will be exempt “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9).
This passage also links the events of Revelation with Old Testament prophecies concerning the day of God’s wrath. Note the similarity between the language of Revelation 6 and Nahum 1:6.
Description of Wrath
The outpouring of God’s wrath is neither some archaic notion from medieval times nor an “Old Testament notion of God,” in opposition to the “New Testament Jesus.” All judgment has been committed to the Son (Jn. 5:22, 27; Rev. 6:16f).
Nahum mentions that His fury will be “poured out,” paralleling the vial or bowl judgments of Revelation. These come directly from the presence of God!
Our initial passage in Romans speaks of “treasuring up” wrath. This is a very striking image. The sinner stores wrath away, but that wrath will be poured out on the unbeliever in the day when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.
Results of Wrath
Romans states that the day of wrath will involve indignation, tribulation, and anguish. Those who are saved from wrath through faith in the Lord Jesus are expectantly awaiting Him (1 Thess. 1:10). However, to those who do not obey the gospel, “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:7-9).
Sin will be judged and evil put down. The wrath that mankind has stored up for ages will be poured out on those who have not trusted Christ: “he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (Jn. 3:36). Who shall be able to stand?
Uplook Magazine, September 2012
Written by Larry Batts