Back in January, I uploaded an article and audio message on the website entitled “THE LOVE OF GOD.” Part of the true gospel of Jesus Christ emphasizes God’s love. But God’s love can only be understood in its proper context if we understand the circumstances in which His love for mankind shines through.

And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”
(2 Kings 22:12-13 - ESV)

Still the Lord did not turn from the burning of his great wrath, by which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him.
(2 Kings 23:26 - ESV)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
(Romans 1:18 - ESV)

And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.
(Revelation 15:7-8 - ESV)

While the Bible clearly speaks of God as a loving God, there is another side to God that many churches today try to ignore and act like it doesn’t exist. It is the side of God’s wrath. The wrath of God is layered throughout the Bible as something that God pours out on those who disobey and refuse to believe in Him. And if a believer falls away from the faith, he/she too can experience the wrath of God. If we were to read from Genesis to Revelation, we would see countless examples of God’s wrath.

So why is there no mention of this side of God in many church institutions today? It is because it doesn’t fit with the agenda of these places? Is it because they want to preach an altered gospel that will get more people to come forward at the end of their services? Without recognizing that God can possess wrath, what reason do we have to fear Him? Looking at all of the main people of faith in the people, we see that they not only loved the Lord but feared Him as well.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
(Matthew 10:28 - ESV)

It is interesting that many times we humans fear what other humans can do to us but we have no fear of God in our lives. In this passage, Jesus tells us to not fear man but to fear God. Why would we be encouraged to fear God? Because He can utilize His wrath to destroy  both soul and body in hell.

God is referred to as our Heavenly Father. Now think of an earthly father (a good example) and how he disciplines his children when they disobey him. Now his children can know his love but they can also experience his anger when they wrongfully go against his word. So his children will not only love him but will also respect and fear their father because they know that even though they have his love, they have to be accountable to him. How much this is true with God!

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
(Ephesians 5:3-6 - ESV)

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Colossians 3:5-8 - ESV)

Sin is a big deal to God and being that He is a God of justice, righteousness and holiness, He can not bear to let it go unpunished. This is why without Jesus Christ, we all fall short of the God’s standard and we are all destined to be eternally separated from Him. God doesn’t just carry a wrath for the sake of carrying wrath. He possesses wrath in response to the evil and wickedness of mankind. Our sins are what provoke and arouse His wrath and we read of that truth throughout the Bible.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
(1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 - ESV)

And here is where the beauty of the gospel and the work of Jesus Christ comes in. God doesn’t want people to have to spend eternity separated from Him so what does He do? He provides a way out of our horrible predicament through Jesus Christ. And this is the great love of God, that when we were objects of His wrath, his love and mercy provided a way out for us. Indeed Jesus is The Way. But each one of us has to make that choice for ourselves to repent and believe in Jesus.

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
(Romans 2:4-8 - ESV)

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
(John 3:36 - ESV)

For God to go through the great lengths to sacrifice His only begotten Son on a cross as payment for our sins also shows why we store up wrath for ourselves for rejecting such a love. It would be the equivalent of being in court and given a death sentence and while in prison, somebody decides to take the death penalty for you to allow you to go free. But you instead want to stay in prison. Does that make sense?

We must understand that God gets angry, He can be filled with wrath and He will bring judgment on evil. Do you know this side of God or have you been lied to about Him? The Bible says that God is not one to be mocked and that He also claims vengeance. And yet, He also is a God of love. That is the complete picture of God we’re given in the Bible.

Some of you reading this may be used to the cuddly, passive Jesus that is portrayed in books and movies but does that fit the Jesus from the actual Bible? Especially the Jesus who will return?

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
(Revelation 19:15-16 - ESV)

Will Jesus conquer us in mercy so that we can repent and believe in Him or will Jesus conquer us in wrath to where we are thrown in the lake of fire with Satan and people of wickedness. As always, the choice is ours. And even though God is provoked to wrath over sin, He gives us a choice to avoid his wrath and obtain mercy.

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
(Romans 5:9 - ESV)