Your question:

i thought God was a merciful and forgiving God? i don't think God should be associated with wrath. i believe that men had a choice and thier decisions also have consequences-right? so is the words God will pour out His wrath appropriate? or is He only allowing mans consequences to follow through? thanks s.

 My answer:

Hi S.,
Thanks for the e-mail.

You said: i thought God was a merciful and forgiving God?

My response: Absolutely right. All who turn to him in repentance and submission are subject to His mercy and are forgiven.

You said: i don't think God should be associated with wrath.

My response: Why? Wouldn't a just God have the right to execute judgment upon those who rebel against His kingdom? Many times God poured out His cup of wrath on Israel and her enemies. When she turned from her wickedness God healed her and comforted her. If the beginning of all wisdom is the fear of the LORD then what is there to fear if we are not subject to wrath for rebellion against him?

You said: i believe that men had a choice and thier decisions also have consequences-right?

My response: Absolutely. The consequences of sin is death. This death is not just our bodies passing away, but is an eternal separation from God himself. The lake of fire is the second death. Sin is rebellion against a perfectly righteous God. He established the rules and He subjects Himself to them. Jesus died in the place of those who believe and by faith obey. It is these who will be rewarded. All others are subject to God's wrath, the scriptures call the day of the LORD "The great day of slaughter." That is a pretty graphic depiction of wrath. The end-times, as depicted in prophecy, show two distinct times of wrath: 1) God's wrath against Israel for her rebellion against the covenant. This will be carried out by the nations of the world against Israel and is known as the desolation (tribulation). Israel will not be destroyed completely during this time. 2) The second time of wrath will be on the last day when Jesus comes and His wrath is poured out on the nations of the world for their rebellion against Him and their zealousness in decimating Israel. The Bible says there will be few survivors.

You said: so is the words God will pour out His wrath appropriate?

My response: Yes, definitely. This is God's justice after thousands of years of patience and even the sacrifice of His own Son. He will be perfectly just in exercising wrath against His enemies, all who will not submit to Jesus as LORD.

You said: or is He only allowing mans consequences to follow through?

My response: Because man is allowed to exercise his own will it would be natural to conclude that his consequences would follow through. But God also gave man a way out. The Bible says the inclinations of a man's heart is toward evil since childhood. God is looking for perfect people to enter and populate His kingdom when it comes. We both know there is no one who is righteous, not one. By repentance and obedience to Christ we enter perfection in God's eyes by the atoning blood of Jesus on the cross. Receive this atonement and show it to be real by your obedience to His throne and wrath will not be your lot. Ignore or scorn God's offer of reconciliation and all that is left is wrath, on the last day and consummated in the lake of fire. A look in a concordance for the word 'wrath' might surprise you when you see how many times it is associated with God's name in the Bible. The word 'wrath' is not a bad word for those who will rejoice in His coming, but for those who will mourn and hide when they see Him riding on the clouds it will be the just fruits they earned by their deeds.

I hope this helps if not let me know.

In the service of LORD Jesus,

Randy