Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the wrath of God as a future punishment for the wicked is a significant theme throughout the Bible. This divine wrath is portrayed as a righteous and just response to sin and rebellion against God's holiness and authority. The Scriptures provide vivid descriptions of this future judgment, emphasizing both its certainty and its severity.
Old Testament FoundationsThe Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding the wrath of God. In the prophetic literature, God's wrath is often depicted as a consuming fire or a devastating storm. For instance, in
Nahum 1:2-3 , it is written: "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished." This passage highlights God's patience but also His inevitable judgment against those who persist in wickedness.
The Psalms also speak of God's wrath as a future reality for the wicked.
Psalm 7:11-13 states, "God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day. If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He ordains His arrows with fire." Here, the imagery of weaponry underscores the seriousness of divine judgment.
New Testament RevelationThe New Testament further develops the theme of God's wrath, particularly in the context of eschatological judgment. The Apostle Paul, in
Romans 1:18 , declares, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness." This passage indicates that God's wrath is not only a future event but is also being revealed in the present as a foretaste of what is to come.
In the Book of Revelation, the wrath of God is vividly portrayed in apocalyptic terms.
Revelation 6:16-17 describes the reaction of the wicked during the end times: "They said to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?'" This passage emphasizes the inescapability and terror of God's final judgment.
Theological ImplicationsThe future wrath of God serves as a sobering reminder of His holiness and justice. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance. The consistent biblical witness is that God's wrath is not arbitrary but is a measured response to human rebellion. It is a demonstration of His commitment to righteousness and the ultimate restoration of His creation.
The doctrine of God's wrath also highlights the necessity of salvation through Jesus Christ. As Paul writes in
1 Thessalonians 1:10 , believers are to "wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." This assurance of deliverance through Christ is central to the Christian gospel, offering hope and redemption to those who turn from wickedness and embrace faith in Him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
John 3:36He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Turn or Burn
... repented, most affectionately reminding you of your future doom, if ... him, he repents
not of the punishment which is ... were not pit digged for the wicked, if there ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/turn or burn.htm
"The Eternity of Hell-Torments"
... to entertain any hopes of a future recovery out of ... the sincere, but the wicked,
merciless, negatively ... before described, shall go into everlasting punishment. ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the eternity of hell-torments.htm
The Present Life as Related to the Future.
... will receive forgiveness, but the severer punishment which befalls ... of two persons
in the future world, distinctly ... existence is concerned, the wicked man has ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the present life as related.htm
His Future Work
... up in the beginning of His future work to ... from that judgment throne into everlasting
punishment (Matthew 25 ... second resurrection, that of the wicked dead, takes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/iii his future work.htm
The Doctrine of God
... Moses, I AM THAT I AM." The past, present and future lies in ... aa) In the punishment
of the wicked ... Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone and an ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm
On the Government of God
... as would take away the necessity of future punishment. ... only were the triumphant
barbarians less wicked than the ... for example, slaves are described as generally ...
/.../salvian/on the government of god/iv on the government of.htm
The Doctrine of the Last Things.
... the Edomites and their land, and not to the future of the ... Punishment can take place
only where there is consciousness on the part ... THE WICKED ARE TO BE PUNISHED ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the last.htm
The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... exempt case, but in the general diffusion of punishment on the ... sent to punish the
sins of that wicked ruler""Surely ... The scenes here depicted are yet future. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm
Article xii (V): of Repentance.
... in this perishable, but also in the future life: the ... from love of God, and when from
fear of punishment. ... And wicked and secure men do not seriously give forth ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 15 article xii v .htm
Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made ...
... meditate on divine worship and the future life; and ... but pollution instilled, for
which punishment is justly ... imagining that man was essentially wicked, went the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 through the fall.htm
Resources
What is the biblical punishment for adultery? | GotQuestions.orgAre there different levels of punishment in hell? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about corporal punishment as practiced by governments? | GotQuestions.orgPunishment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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