“Why do the heathen rage…,” “…he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.” Psalm 2:1, John 3:36
Dear Ones:
In the world in which we live, there are a great many spiritual “constants.” These are truths, and realities, which are not changed or altered by men. One of these has to do with the “rage of the heathen.” We find this concept mentioned in the second Psalm. It is evident from the psalm that this “rage” is the expression of excessive anger and rejection. The Psalmist writes: “…The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers, take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed.” (v.2) This anger, or rage, is directional, “…against the Lord, and against His anointed.” Why is this? In the book of Revelation, we have a picture of the enemy of God, and ours (Satan), who, “…is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.” (12:12) The apostle John writes this in the context of a “war in heaven,” which is translated to earth. We find later on where those who follow Satan, will “…make war with the Lamb,” but will be overcome by Christ. (17:14) That which is important to see, and which should not surprise us, is that this enemy of God, from the days that the Psalmist wrote his psalm about the rage of the nations, has not changed his attitude. Unbelieving nations, and people, who reject God and His reign in their lives, have this same attitude today. The Lord Jesus summed up the matter very clearly during His ministry on earth: “If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of this world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:19) This is the context in which the believer in Christ lives. It is to him, or her, that the victorious statement is declared: “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33) Here is the great spiritual reality when considering the contrary winds of the rage of the nations against God, and Christ’s followers: Christ is victor, has conquered them all. We are called to overcome as He overcame, by the same truth and power.
The wrath of God is different than the rage of men. However, one thing is common to both: they are both born out of a nature, disposition of heart and mind, that is reflective of the person who is enraged, or manifests His wrath. We know that the rage of the heathen is against God, and His anointed, the Lord Jesus. However, the wrath of God, is against “…against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18) The wrath of God is a settled, resolved attitude, not just a choice or act. It is the expression of a resolute disposition, whereby God is absolutely opposed to all that is not of Him. The holy nature of God rejects and is repulsed by every sin, and the sinner who does not believe in God’s remedy. In addition, the wrath of God goes beyond just an attitude or disposition. It actively actively works against the very existence and presence of sin and the sinner. The rejection of the only, and yet, perfect solution to the wrath of God, results in a constant state where “…the wrath of God abides on him (the unbeliever.)” (Jn.3:36) What then is the remedy to the wrath of God, in the face of the rage of men who reject and abhor Him?
The answer is singular and certain. When the Lord Jesus became the “God-given,” sacrificial Lamb, upon whom the iniquity of us all was placed, the provision was made to be justified by faith, having peace with God. (Romans 5:1) The provision of God’s peace and power, have made us to be:”… more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
Dear Father, Give us grace to live victoriously in the context of our calling, at peace with Thee by faith in the power of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad