Delivered

Delivered From Wrath To Come

By Grant Phillips

“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.