Topical Encyclopedia The concept of God's anger, particularly as it is directed against those who oppose the Gospel, is a significant theme throughout the Bible. This divine anger is portrayed as a righteous and just response to sin, rebellion, and the rejection of God's truth. The anger of God is not capricious or arbitrary but is a reflection of His holiness and justice.Biblical Foundation The Bible presents numerous instances where God's anger is kindled against those who oppose His will and reject His message. In the Old Testament, God's anger is often depicted in response to idolatry, injustice, and the breaking of His covenant. For example, in Deuteronomy 9:7-8 , Moses reminds the Israelites of their rebellion: "Remember this and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place, you have been rebelling against the LORD. At Horeb you provoked the LORD, and He was angry enough to destroy you." In the New Testament, the focus shifts to the rejection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, speaks of God's wrath against those who suppress the truth: "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Romans 1:18). This passage underscores the idea that God's anger is directed towards those who actively oppose and hinder the spread of the Gospel. Characteristics of God's Anger 1. Righteous and Just: God's anger is always righteous and just. It is not a human-like loss of temper but a measured and appropriate response to sin and rebellion. In Psalm 7:11 , it is written, "God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day." 2. Purposeful: The anger of God serves a purpose. It is intended to bring about repentance and restoration. In 2 Peter 3:9 , we read, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 3. Temporal and Eternal Consequences: God's anger can have both immediate and eternal consequences. In the temporal sense, it may result in judgment or discipline, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25). Eternally, those who persist in opposing the Gospel face separation from God, as described in 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 : "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might." Opposition to the Gospel The New Testament highlights various forms of opposition to the Gospel, ranging from outright rejection to persecution of believers. Jesus Himself warned of such opposition, stating in John 15:18-19 , "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." The early church faced significant opposition, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned for his bold proclamation of the Gospel (Acts 7:54-60). The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, experienced intense opposition after his conversion, as he spread the message of Christ throughout the Roman Empire. Divine Response to Opposition God's response to those who oppose the Gospel is multifaceted. While His anger is directed towards sin and rebellion, His desire is for repentance and salvation. The Gospel itself is a message of reconciliation, offering forgiveness and new life through Jesus Christ. However, for those who persist in their opposition, the Bible warns of judgment and the ultimate expression of God's wrath. In Revelation 19:15 , the final judgment is depicted: "From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty." This imagery underscores the seriousness of opposing God's redemptive plan and the certainty of divine justice. Conclusion The anger of God against those who oppose the Gospel is a sobering reality that underscores the seriousness of rejecting His truth. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness, justice, and the ultimate accountability of all humanity before Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 2:2,3,5The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Library Matt. vi. 1 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ... What are the Clouds? Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love. Protest of the Princes. Hebrews x. 26, 27 A Continuation of Mr. Bunyan's Life, Beginning Where He Left Off ... Concerning the Lord's Supper Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence. Resources How can I know for sure that my anger is righteous indignation? | GotQuestions.orgWas Jesus ever angry? | GotQuestions.org Does God get angry? | GotQuestions.org Anger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Anger: A Characteristic of Fools Anger: Ahab, Because Naboth Would not Sell his Vineyard Anger: Ahasuerus, Toward Vashti, for Refusing to Amuse his Courtiers Anger: Asa, Because the Prophet Rebuked Him Anger: Brings Its own Punishment Anger: Children should not be Provoked To Anger: Connected With: Clamour and Evil-Speaking Anger: Connected With: Cruelty Anger: Connected With: Malice and Blasphemy Anger: Connected With: Strife and Contention Anger: Elihu, Because Job had Beaten his Friends in Argument Anger: Ephraimites, Toward Gideon, for not Soliciting Their Help Against the Midianites Anger: General Scriptures Concerning Anger: Haman, Because Mordecai did not Salute Him Anger: Herod, Toward the Wise Men Who Deceived Him Anger: Jonah, Because the Gourd Withered Anger: Jonathan, on Account of Saul's Persecution of David Anger: May be Averted by Wisdom Anger: Naaman, Because Elisha Directed Him to Wash in the Jordan Anger: Saul, Toward Jonathan, on Account of his Sympathy With David Anger: should not Betray Us Into Sin Anger: Simeon and Levi, on Account of the Humbling of Their Sister, Dinah Anger: Sinful: Simeon and Levi Anger: The People of Nazareth, Toward Jesus Anger: Uzziah Toward Azariah, the Priest, Because of his Reproof of The Anger of God is Averted from Them That Believe The Anger of God is Averted Upon Confession of Sin and Repentance The Anger of God: Against: Apostasy The Anger of God: Against: Idolatry The Anger of God: Against: Impenitence The Anger of God: Against: Sin, in Saints The Anger of God: Against: The Wicked The Anger of God: Against: Those Who Forsake Him The Anger of God: Against: Unbelief The Anger of God: Aggravated by Continual Provocation The Anger of God: Averted by Christ The Anger of God: Cannot be Resisted The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Aaron and Miriam The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Abimelech The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Builders of Babel The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Cities of the Plain The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Egyptians The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Enemies of Israel The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Five Kings The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Israelites The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Korah The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Men of Bethshemesh The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Nadab The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Saul The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Saul's Family The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Sennacherib The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: The Old World The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: The Spies The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Uzzah The Anger of God: Extreme, Against Those Who Oppose the Gospel The Anger of God: Folly of Provoking The Anger of God: Manifested in Judgments and Afflictions The Anger of God: Manifested in Terrors The Anger of God: Removal of, should be Prayed For The Anger of God: should Lead to Repentance The Anger of God: Specially Reserved for the Day of Wrath The Anger of God: Tempered With Mercy to Saints The Anger of God: The Justice of, not to be Questioned The Anger of God: To be Born With Submission The Anger of God: To be Deprecated The Anger of God: To be Dreaded Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |