The Wrath of God

The apostle Paul writes that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). We know from this passage of scripture that God’s wrath will be manifested because it is revealed from heaven. It is not manifested now because He has appointed a day in which this will happen. God is waiting for all men to repent and turn to Him. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:4-5). God’s wrath will be manifested in the judgment.

The Recipients of God’s Wrath

Individuals who do not believe in Jesus Christ will certainly suffer the wrath of God. In John 3:36 we find these words, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” In the opening text of scripture we learn that the unrighteous, ungodly and those who hinder the truth will suffer God’s wrath. Ephesians 5:5-6 tells us that the unclean, fornicators, and the covetous will suffer the wrath of God. In addition to these things, we also know that those who have evil desires will experience the wrath of God (Colossians 3:5-6).

How Can We Escape God’s Wrath?

We know that it is only through Jesus Christ that we will be able to escape the terrible wrath of God. It says in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” We have to be justified before God in able to stand before Him (Romans 5:9; Revelation 6:17). When we believe in Christ, repent of our sins, confess Him as being the Son of God, and are baptized into Christ then we can begin our walk in His righteousness. We must then dedicate ourselves to His service, being faithful to Him everyday that we live, making sure that we flee from the wrath to come (Revelation 2:10; Matthew 3:7).