“There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk
not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
When God destroyed the world
with a flood, He first removed Noah and his family from danger. When He
destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, God removed Lot and his family from danger. These
two families were not under condemnation because they walked in the Spirit
(except for Lot’s wife). When God pours out His wrath during the Tribulation,
He will first remove His Bride, the Church.
God promised to never destroy
the world again by water. He reminds us of His promise every time we see a
rainbow in the sky. However, He has also promised that He will one day destroy
the world by fire. That day is quickly coming upon the world at large. First, it
will be a day of great Tribulation, seven years of hell on earth. One thousand
years later, “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved
for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” (2
Peter 3:7)
All those who have been saved
through faith in Jesus will be saved by God’s grace. All the saints, both Old
and New Testament, will never suffer condemnation or the wrath of God.
The word “wrath” is mentioned
198 times in the KJV and usually refers to God’s wrath.
John the Baptist had this to
say about God’s wrath:
“Then said he to the
multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who
hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3:7)
“He that believeth on the Son
hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
In the book of Revelation
God’s wrath is mentioned at least ten times: 6:16-17; 11:18; 14:10: 14:19:
15:1; 15:7; 16:1; 16:19 and 19:15.
God’s wrath is not a heavenly
tantrum as some try to indicate. When you get right down to where the rubber
meets the road, God’s wrath is divine justice required by God’s law. Whether we
are talking about God’s Law or man’s law, law is to be obeyed but if not obeyed,
requires judgment. The difference between God’s Law and man’s law is that God
is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). There is always judgment if the law is
not obeyed. (If man were as judicial with his law as God is with His, we would
have far less crime than we do today.)
If it were not for John 3:16
(et al.) we would all suffer God’s wrath and Romans 8:1 above would not apply
to any of us. Thanks to Jesus, we who call upon His name are not condemned,
because He suffered our condemnation. He took our punishment that the Law
provides; death. Thanks to Him, we who are His are not under the Law.
“For sin shall not have
dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall
we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (Romans
6:14-15)
“But if ye be led of the
Spirit, ye are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:18)
It is very clear that the
Church will not suffer God’s wrath during the seven year period of the
Tribulation. Jesus will remove us from this earth prior to the Tribulation. The
Church age will end at the Rapture. Remember, all those saved in the Church age
are not under the Law and, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
(Romans 8:1)
“And to wait for his Son from
heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the
wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
“For God hath not appointed
us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us,
that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” (1
Thessalonians 5:9-10)
“Much more then, being now
justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:9)
Neither will His own stand
before Him to be judged at the White Throne judgment and be cast into the Lake
of Fire.
God’s Word is very clear that
His wrath only comes upon those who are not His. The entire world was destroyed
except those who were His at the flood. All of Sodom and Gomorrah and the
surrounding cities were destroyed except those who were His. During the
Tribulation, God’s wrath will come down upon those who have never come to Him
through Jesus. Even then, He will save those who will call upon Jesus.
“Let no man deceive you with
vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the
children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:6)
Every person who rejects
salvation through Jesus will be judged by the Law, and the punishment is always
death (Romans 6:23).
If you are still wondering if
the Church will go through the Tribulation (although I don’t know why), keep in
mind that Jesus is coming as a bridegroom for His bride at the Rapture. Ask
yourself, and be honest, from everything the Bible says about Jesus, would He
ever pour out wrath upon those who He died to save, His bride? Why would He
take our punishment from the Law if He were going to allow us to suffer
punishment by the Law anyway?
Only the children of
disobedience will suffer His wrath. That is the way it has always been
throughout the Bible, and that is exactly how it will all end. I praise God
that Jesus took my stripes, and that by His stripes I am healed. I will never
worry about His wrath, but instead enjoy His love and many promises.
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
