promised land

Gods Wrath Went Forth

After God led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, they rebelled against Him time and time again. They made a golden calf and worshiped it as well as some of them wanted to go back to Egypt. Another time they rebelled against God and He sent firey serpents among them. Other times God sent plagues. When you read the Old Testament accounts of their disobedience, then God’s wrath went forth.

Even after the Israelites entered the promised land, they continued rebelling against God. His wrath went forth and He allowed other nations to conquer Israel and Judah. Eventually, the Lord allowed the Israelites to be carried off to far away lands. They rebelled and God’s wrath went forth again.

Whirlwind Of The Lord Is Gone Forth

Jeremiah describes such rebellion and God’s wrath in Jeremiah 23. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked (Jeremiah 23:16-19).

God’s wrath went forth like a whirlwind of fury. We might describe it nowadays as going forth like a tornado. Either way, God’s wrath went forth. You may be thinking, well, that’s all fine and dandy. That was in the Old Testament. But folks, the New Testament also talks about God’s wrath. Romans 1:18-19:  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

God’s Wrath Still Goes Forth Today

That’s right, God’s wrath still goes forth today. Romans 1 goes on to tell us that God turns unrepentant sinners over to a reprobate heart. In other words, you want to disobey God, live like there is no God, then God removes His hands of mercy from you, then you live your life to your wicked heart’s desire. You call evil good and good evil. You live sexually immoral lives and continue in debauchery. Make no mistake, even though you may not feel God’s wrath, His whirlwind of wrath is upon you.

Romans 2 continues in that you are just storing up more wrath against the day of wrath. In other words, you are heaping up more of God’s wrath against you that will be poured out against you for all eternity. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile (Romans 2:4-9).

You Aren’t Getting Away With Your Sins

Oh, folks, don’t continue barreling down the road to destruction, foolishly thinking that since God doesn’t wipe you off the face of the earth today, that you are getting away with your sins. No, your hard heart is just becoming more and more seared over. You really are just storing up more wrath against the day of wrath. God will render to everyone what they deserve.

What do we deserve? We all deserve eternal damnation. Every man and woman on this earth deserves the firey flames of Hell and we deserve to suffer those flames for all eternity. Oh, but you do not have to foolishly die in your sins and go to Hell. No, you can be saved today – through repentance and faith in Jesus.

The Lord Jesus is the only Savior of mankind. There is no other. Buddha can’t save you. Muhammad can’t save you. The pope can’t save you. Only Jesus saves. Why? Because He is the only perfect, sinless One. Unlike you and I, Jesus never sinned. Not one time. Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary. The Lord walked this earth 2,000 years ago and He never sinned in His thoughts, words or deeds.

Can you say that? Have you lived a perfect, sinless life? Of course not. How many lies have you told in your life? How many times have you stolen something? How many times have you lusted or coveted someone or something? Do you always honor your parents? Have you ever loved someone or something more than you love God? I hope you are seeing that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

Jesus Willingly Went To The Cross

That’s why we need the salvation that is found in Christ alone. Not only was Jesus always perfect and sinless, but He willingly went to the cruel cross where He suffered God’s anger over sin, God’s whirlwind of wrath. He took the punishment for sinners who repent and trust in Him. The Bible says that Jesus was the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation means that God’s wrath was satisfied when He poured His righteous anger out upon His own precious Son.

That shows you how much God hates sin! Someone has to be punished over sin and Jesus willingly took that punishment, that is, for His people. Jesus suffered, bled and died on the cross. He was buried and rose victoriously from the grave three days later. Jesus defeated sin, death, Hell and Satan. Salvation is for all who repent and surrender their lives to the Lord. Jesus came to save His people from their sins.

Oh, tonight, you are either lost or saved. You are spiritually dead in your trespasses and sins or you are alive in Christ. God’s wrath remains upon you or your sins have been forgiven. Which is it? God’s wrath went forth in the past, is still going forth today and will go forth for all eternity upon all who die in their sins. Jesus says that unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins (John 8:24).

Only Two Ways To Die

There are only two ways to die. 1. Die in your sins. 2. Die in Christ. There is no third option. You say that you don’t believe in Christ Jesus? Then you will foolishly die in your sins. Unbelief is to die outside of Christ. Rebellion is to die outside of Jesus. Unrepentant is to die outside of the Lord. Oh, don’t do it. Don’t foolishly die in your sins. Do not continue hardening your hard heart. Do not reject such a great salvation. Instead, repent and believe the Gospel.

For those of you who want to continue mocking God, who want to continue going your own way. Listen to the warning tonight. Jesus talked about Hell more than anybody else in the Bible. The Lord says Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (foolish), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire (Matthew 5:21-22).

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28). It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery (Matthew 5:27-32).

Their Worm Dieth Not And The Fire Is Not Quenched

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:42-48).

Don’t Continue With God’s Wrath Abiding Upon You

The Bible describes Hell as place of never-ending torment. Where the smoke of their fire rises forever and ever. They have no rest day or night (Revelation 14:11). In Revelation 21:7-8, Jesus says: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Revelation 21:7-8).

Oh, don’t continue with God’s wrath abiding upon you. Instead, repent and surrender your life to Jesus. Trust the Lord to save you. Repent and believe the Gospel. Turn to Christ and live. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3). 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). Believe in Jesus and be saved or God’s wrath will continue abiding upon you. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.

(This message was lifted up at Missouri State University on April 5, 2023)