Pastor’s Pen Pulpit                                                                                                                                            Romans

December 4, 2005                                                                                                                                      #12 in series

 

REVELATION OF THE WRATH OF GOD

Romans 1:18

 

“For the wrath of God is being revealed (literally) from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

 

Before the Apostle Paul begins to unfold the riches of redemption in Christ,  he first reminds us in a masterful way the need for all mankind for the Gospel of Christ; and man’s condition is not a very pretty picture.  He begins by talking about the guilt of the HEATHEN in 1:19-32.  Then in 2:1-16  he writes about the guilt of the HYPOCRITE.  In 2:17-29 he tells of the guilt of the HEBREWS.   But before any of this is unfolded,  he warns us of the wrath of God.  In Romans 1:16 & 17 he has written about the revelation of the righteousness of God in the Gospel of Christ.  Now we come to the revelation of the wrath of God.  What is the wrath of God?  The wrath of God has been defined as ‘the personal manifestation of God’s holy, moral character in judgment against sin.  Wrath is neither an inpersonal process nor irrational and fitful-like anger.  It is in no way vindictive or malicious.  It is holy indignation – God’s anger directed against sin.”

 

One reputable Bible teacher and scholar understands there to be five phases of God’s wrath: 

 

1.  ETERNAL WRATH– Revelation 20.  This is God’s wrath in the Lake of Fire – or   The eternal separation of all unbelievers from the creation of Adam througout histor.

2.  ESCHATALOGICAL WRATH  – Revelation chs 6-19.  End time wrath.  This is God’s wrath upon men during the tribulation period or the final Day of the Lord.

3.  CATACLYSMIC WRATH – Sodom and Gommorah and the flood.   Periodically God unleashes His wrath upon a segment of society that reveals rebellion and sin in an unusual nature.

4.  SOWING AND REAPING WRATH or consequential wrath .  Man reaps the   harvest of what he has sown in life.  This usually comes back to him in this  lifetime (Galatians 6:7).

5.  THE WRATH OF ABANDONMENT – Romans 1-19-32.  This refers to God taking His hand øf restraint off of the human race, allowing them to reap the results of their sin.  This is indicated in Romans chapter one in three places where it is said that God gave them up or God gave them over (v.24, 26, 28).

 

I would like to include another facet of God’s wrath:  SUBSTITUTIONARY WRATH - II Cor. 5:21.  On the cross God poured out the full deposit of His Holy wrath upon His Son for your sin and my sin.

 

Paul writes that the wrath of God (literally) “is being revealed”  - hence a continuous revelation of God’s wrath.  This constant revelation of God’s wrath is seen in the fact that God removes His restraint from man and gives him free reign to work out his unrighteousness.  Note carefully that in three places in this section it is said that “God gave them over” vs  24,26 and 28.  In this sense God abandonded man to go his own way.  There comes a time when God no longer puts His restraining hand upon His sinning  creatures.  This restraint is completely removed in the seven year tribulation period - cf II Thessalonians 2:6,7.  Everett F. Harrison has a fine note on this section in his book on Romans.  It is as follows: 

 

The object of the divine wrath is twofold –“All the godlessness and wickedness of man.”   Paul explains the first term in vs. 19-27 and the second in vs. 28-32.  “Godlessness” means a lack of reverence, an impiety that arrays man against God, not simply in terms of neglect but also of rebellion.  “Wickedness” means injustice relating to the vitiating ( to make ineffective or weak) of man’s conduct toward his fellows. No distinction is made here between Jews and Gentiles, since  “men” is broad enough to include the human race.  These are the very areas in which the prophets found fault with Israel.  But as the thought unfolds, the culprit appears much more sharply in terms of Gentiles than of  Jews.” 

 

To suppress the truth means to “hold down the truth.  I believe it means that men are attempting tø prevent others from hearing the truth of God.   This is so up-to-date, especially in our secular schools where ungodly professors and teachers will not allow the Bible to be read or even be present in the classrooms.

 

Note that both the righteousness and the wrath of God are being revealed.  I believe the wrath of God is also associated with the Gospel.  When men refuse the provision for salvation that God has provided in the Lord Jesus Christ the only thing remaining for that individual is God’s wrath (John 3:36).

 

This was a difficult Pen Pulpit to write and, I am sure, to read.  It is so easy to focus on God’s great love, but a holy God cannot tolerate sin and it will be judged.  Pastor Dale and I would not be true to the Word of God if we did not remind you of this from time to time!

 

If you have not as yet received Jesus Christ as Savior from sin, now would be an excellent time to make that decision.  And for those of you who know the Lord as Savior, be assured that there is no condemnation to you who are in Christ Jesus and what a comfort that is! (Romans 8:1) 

 

God bless and we love you in the Lord.