The Rage Of Men And The Wrath Of God
“SERVE THE LORD WITH FEAR, AND REJOICE WITH TREMBLING. KISS THE SON, LEST HE BE ANGRY, AND YOU PERISH IN THE WAY, WHEN HIS WRATH IS KINDLED BUT A LITTLE. BLESSED ARE ALL THOSE WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM.” PSALM 2:11-12
Theology is the study of God, His nature, HIs ways, according to the Scriptures, the Bible. It is a study which begins before creation with the revelation of God in creation, and the unveiling of His ways by which He creates. For example, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews wrote this: “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which ware seen were not made of things which are visible.” (11:3) The account of Creation which Moses gives us in the book of Genesis, refers to before time began, when there was first and foremost, God. The whole design of creation, as well as the unveiling of the power to bring it into existence by His word, lays the foundation for understanding all else in the Bible. God is revealed in the first verse of the Bible in this way: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” In the unveiling of the glorified Christ in the book of Revelation, the last book of the bible, Christ declares: “I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (1:8) All theology, the study of God, must begin with the One who is presently the Beginning and the End. To understand something of the rage of men, and the wrath of God, as revealed in Scripture, we will only grasp what is needful, if we rely on the One who was there at the beginning and will be there at the end.
What is the importance of studying the matters of “the rage of men,” and the “wrath of God?” It is in order to seek a true knowledge of the God. With regard to the “rage of men” we are confronted with a condition, or rather a disposition in the heart of man after the fall when Adam and Eve sinned. Sin entered into the heart of man that day, a disposition of independence of God, and thus, a defiance of the authority of God. With that disposition came death, a separation from God, His goodness as revealed in creation, and eternal power to know Him, and to live for His glory. In the spiritual darkness of man’s heart there was born also a settled resistance of God, a fleeing from God and His words. Ultimately this would manifest itself actively, violently refusing that which was of God. This attitude and disposition revealed itself in “rage” against God, His holy character, His beloved and blessed Son, His anointed. That rage, though seen throughout history in the wars and violence between men, was most clearly revealed in the condemnation, judgement, and death of Christ who had come to save us all. This settled resolve, though blindly accepted by men, would result in another reality, the ultimate manifestation of the wrath of God. Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “…the wrath of God IS revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18) The rage of men, and the resulting violence, resulted in the great flood which destroyed mankind except for Noah and his family. It also destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, the walls of Jericho, and even Jerusalem seventy years after Christ’s death and resurrection.
Why do we need to understand the rage of man and the wrath of God? It is because of what God’s only, but certain answer is to them both. It is the precious blood of His Son shed on Calvary, which ALONE can remove the wages of sin, the Spirit of God then breaking the law of sin in the heart, so that the soul is free and empowered to live for God’s glory.
Dear Father, Strengthen mightily our hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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