Theology Thursday | 1Th 1:10 | God's Wrath

Let's talk about the "wrath" of God.

In 1Th 1:10, Paul does not speak of God's being angry, but of the wrath of God as a fact. In other places, Paul says that the wrath of God is something that is consequently connected with humans' sin as a cause. If you break the laws of agriculture, harvest fails. If you break God's moral law, wrath and judgment are the consequence.

Specific to 1Th 1:10, the type of wrath mentioned here is the coming wrath that John the Baptist preached about it Matt 3:7. John the Baptist was a very fiery apocalyptic preach who wasn't afraid to tell people what he thought. And that's why he go beheaded. But Paul was no slouch when it comes to apocalyptic preaching either. And... That's probably part of the reason why he got beheaded too...

Anyway.

The Bible teaches that the end times are going to be a pouring out of the wrath of God (Rev 14:10). And that is why we "wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead." The fact that numerous passages speak of the wrath of God again sin is evidence that Christ's death was necessarily propitiatory. Which means to win or regain the favor of someone by doing something that pleases them. The atoning death of Christ is not simply that it covers sin and cleanses from its corruption (expiate), but that the sacrifice also appease God, who hates sin and is radically opposed to it (propitiation).

So, what do you think about the wrath of God? Does it give you chills? Does it make you nervous? Or does it make you thankful for the grace and mercy that you have received? Tell us what you think! Thank you so much for participating with us in this discussion! 😁