The Anger of God: Extreme, Against Those Who Oppose the Gospel
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
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 2:2,3,5
The 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
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come on them to the uttermost.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Matt. vi. 1
... Him who made a law to dismiss all anger, thou art ... It is God, who knows all things,
and whose will is ... and hatred, and exacts of thee the most extreme penalty. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xix matt vi 1.htm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... Hebrew "arich apaim"""slow to wrath." God patiently bears ... forgive than to punish,
even under extreme provocation and ... to be found among them anger, evil desire ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday after epiphany.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... There must be extreme depravity in a mind bent on assailing ... We know how David, through
the just anger of God ... who give credit to the Word of God, while little is ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

What are the Clouds?
... And then, I ask thee, O man, art thou not foolish in the extreme to be at war with
such a God as this ... Some of you believe in a god that has no anger, and no ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/what are the clouds.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... Anger and envy possess him to the extent that he ... In violation of God's commandment
and his own conscience, he ... of none, but went about in extreme poverty and ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Protest of the Princes.
... detestable errors." "Faber dissembled his anger, but immediately ... I hate with exceeding
hatred those extreme cares which ... God did listen to the cries of His ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /11 protest of the princes.htm

Hebrews x. 26, 27
... as truly obnoxious to the Divine Anger; and as ... no other than to signify the extreme
Difficulty of ... profess Christianity, obtaining the Favour of God; upon the ...
/.../sermon viii hebrews x 26.htm

A Continuation of Mr. Bunyan's Life, Beginning Where He Left Off ...
... Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" and this ... used such pressing arguments and reasons
against anger and passion ... rains, coming to his lodging extreme wet, fell ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a continuation of mr bunyans.htm

Concerning the Lord's Supper
... by the permission of God in His anger, to be ... be confirmed for another man, receive
extreme unction for ... universally believed to be a sacrifice offered to God. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning the lords supper.htm

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
... there is no more effectual remedy for anger and impatience ... and set free, not only
from the extreme fear and ... chance, so he can confidently commit himself to God. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 use to be.htm

Resources
How can I know for sure that my anger is righteous indignation? | GotQuestions.org

Was Jesus ever angry? | GotQuestions.org

Does God get angry? | GotQuestions.org

Anger: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Anger

Anger in Prayer be Free From

Anger of Cain Slaying Abel

Anger: A Characteristic of Fools

Anger: A Work of the Flesh

Anger: Ahab, Because Naboth Would not Sell his Vineyard

Anger: Ahasuerus, Toward Vashti, for Refusing to Amuse his Courtiers

Anger: Anger of God

Anger: Asa, Because the Prophet Rebuked Him

Anger: Avoid Those Given To

Anger: Balaam, Toward his Ass

Anger: Balak, Toward Balaam

Anger: Be Slow To

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: Pride

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: Forbidden

Anger: General Scriptures Concerning

Anger: Grievous Words Stir Up

Anger: Haman, Because Mordecai did not Salute Him

Anger: Herod, Toward the Wise Men Who Deceived Him

Anger: Jews, Against Stephen

Anger: Jonah, Because the Gourd Withered

Anger: Jonathan, on Account of Saul's Persecution of David

Anger: Justifiable: Jacob

Anger: Justifiable: Moses

Anger: Justifiable: Nehemiah

Anger: Justifiable: Our Lord

Anger: May be Averted by Wisdom

Anger: Meekness Pacifies

Anger: Moab

Anger: Moses, Toward Pharaoh

Anger: Naaman, Because Elisha Directed Him to Wash in the Jordan

Anger: Nebuchadnezzar, on Account of the Insubordination of the Three Hebrews, Who Refused to Worship his Idol

Anger: Paul, Toward Ananias

Anger: Pharaoh, Toward Moses

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: Ahab

Anger: Sinful: Asa

Anger: Sinful: Balaam

Anger: Sinful: Cain

Anger: Sinful: Esau

Anger: Sinful: Haman

Anger: Sinful: Herod

Anger: Sinful: High Priest

Anger: Sinful: Jews

Anger: Sinful: Jonah

Anger: Sinful: Moses

Anger: Sinful: Naaman

Anger: Sinful: Nebuchadnezzar

Anger: Sinful: Saul

Anger: Sinful: Simeon and Levi

Anger: Sinful: Uzziah

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 is Righteous

The Anger of God is Slow

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

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Anger of God: Exemplified Against: Uzzah
Top of Page
Top of Page