BY T. W. Parker

The wrath of God presently rests on all those outside of Christ (John. 3:18, 36, NIV) and is currently being revealed against ungodliness (Rom. 1:18) and is related to the existing state of condemnation that characterizes the universal human condition (Rom. 5:12-21, Eph. 2:3). Also, the wrath of God is not present only present, it is future (Rom. 2:5-8, 5:6-11, Col. 3:6, 1 Thess. 1:10, 5:9, Rev. 6:16-17, 14:9-11). The wrath is depicted as coming, tied to the final judgment, and related to the day of the Lord, culminating in the place called hell. The present and future aspects of God’s wrath reflect the progressive nature of salvation history. There is an “already and not yet” or an “inaugurated eschatology” of sin and wrath, just as there is of the Kingdom, salvation, and the church. God’s wrath presently abides on sinners, and hell is the final and intensified unleashing of that wrath. Therefore, sinners are condemned already and await the ultimate condemnation. Further, sinners are spiritually dead and await the second death.

As a result, unbelievers are currently alienated from God and will be finally excluded from His presence. Moreover, the descriptions of the coming wrath in hell are culminations and extensions of every unbeliever’s current state of sin. The descriptions also serve as a reminder and urgency for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ now! Above all, it is up to us, the believers, to share the good news with others before it is too late.

The biblical story presents the coming wrath as tragic, as it is awful that people would rebel against God and persistently spurn the Savior. However, God is, according to Scripture, “slow to anger” and “abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exod. 34:6-7). God does not take pleasure in the existence of sin (Ezek. 18:23). Jesus likewise grieved and wept over human lostness, sin, and the impending judgment (Matt. 23:37, Luke. 19:41, 23:34). The apostle Paul also shared this perspective, earnestly longing and praying for the conversion of his lost fellow Israelites, even to the point of being willing to undergo God’s wrath on their behalf (Rom. 9:1-5, 5:10:1).

Indeed, God’s coming wrath is also victorious, being linked to His righteous judgment and the day of Yahweh, “the day of God’s wrath” (Rom. 2:5). As such, the coming wrath answers (not raises) ultimate questions related to God’s justice. God’s ultimate victory is displayed over evil through the future wrath, judgment, and hell, and His righteousness is vindicated (Rev. 6:16-17, 11:18, 14:6-20, 15:1-16:21, 19:11-21). Also, there is a “comfort” to wrath and hell. That God will one day avenge His people points to His covenant faithfulness and urges patience, hope, perseverance, and worship (Rom. 9:22-23, 12:19, 2 Thess. 1:5-11, Jas. 5:1-11, Rev. 11:15-19, 15:3-4, 16:5-7, 19:1-10). God will judge everyone, the weak and the powerful, on that day (Rev. 20:11-15). The Lord and believers will win in the end, and He will ensure that justice prevails. Through His righteous judgment and ultimate victory, God will glorify Himself, displaying His greatness and receiving worship from believers “in the spirit and truth” (John. 4:24).