Despite God's nature that He is gracious, merciful and showing mercy to thousands of people, He gets angry against unrighteousness. He is God of grace and Judgement. By His grace people are delivered from evil and redeemed through Christ. People who reject God's grace are waiting for His coming judgement and wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 - God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus. The followings are discussed: Prelude to God's wrath; God's Wrath Poured Out, and Deliverance through Christ.
Prelude to God's Wrath: The 'Great Tribulation' of the reign of Antichrist will be followed by God's Judgement in the form of seven plagues (Revelation 15:1-4). Those who are victorious over the Antichrist will sing of God's victory similar to the song of deliverance of Israelites from the land of Egypt (Ex 15:1-18 ). The victors are those who stood for Christ throughout the time of persecution. They would overcome the persecution and get to the presence of God. People can't pervert God's true identity. He is truthful, just and worthy of our praises. He is loving, caring, and willing to enact judgement. He will honour those who walk in His way and honour Him.
God will judge the world and unleash His wrath in the form of plagues which will be delivered by His angels. The heaven shall be filled with His glory, making it impossible for anyone to come to His presence until the completion of His wrath (Rev 15:5-8 ). During the time of Judgement and wrath human intercession will no longer be possible because the time of God's grace and patience would have been ended.
God's Wrath Poured Out: Revelation 16:1-16 describes the intense and final judgment of God. His wrath contained in the vials shall be poured into the earth by His angels. It will bring about severe pains and sufferings in various forms. The first to fifth plagues will inflict people for rejecting Christ and and falling to deception of Antichrist. The sixth plague will cause Euphrates rivers to dry up, thus preparing the way for Armageddon. The seven plague will cause massive earthquake that will destroy prominent cities of the earth. Jerusalem will also split into three parts and the shape of earth will be changed in preparation for Christ's second coming.
Deliverance through Christ: God's offer for deliverance is Christ. All people need to do to escape His judgement and wrath is to live by the gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves and shows mercy even when he is being provoked by people's behaviours. He wants all people to come to Him and receive his salvation. Christ taught about end time events and what people can do to secure eternal life (Matthew 24: 1-22). God's wrath is as a result of people's rejection of Christ and their desires to continue in sin.
After the tribulation, those whose names are written in the book of life will receive God's Salvation (Daniel 12:1). While God's grace is still available people should not hesitate to put their trust in God and work for salvation of their souls in Christ Jesus. God loves and doesn't appoint anyone to his wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11). The signs of the end time have started to manifest with increasing chaos, turmoil, pestilence, wars, rumours of wars, insecurity, threat to peace among others. Therefore Christians are encouraged to not loose focus in Christ. They should also continue to encourage others to live for God in order to escape the final judgement. Lesson texts: Daniel 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 5 1-11; Rev 15:1-8; 16:1-21
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