There is a discussion about the wrath of God found in Romans chapter 1. When we come to verse 18 the wrath of God will be poured out on all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Each person will one day stand before God to give account for how they have lived their lives (Rom. 14:12). Whether it is good or evil, each soul must stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give account for how they handled the life given by God (2 Cor. 5:10). Jesus made it clear that the aspect of judging would be based on the words that He had given to men (John 12:48). The wrath of God being poured out is a message about the danger of rejecting the will of God (Matt. 7:21).
The false doctrines of “faith only” or “grace only” find their strength in individuals believing that God’s wrath will not be poured out on anyone who has accepted Christ. We can each go to the New Testament and show how that “accepting Christ” is not the means of salvation. Those in Acts 2 wanted to know what they should do (Acts 2:37). The jailer in Philippi likewise wanted to know what to do (Acts 16:31). In both cases it would have been so simple for God to have blessed the teachers and have them say, accept Jesus. Neither in those two cases or any other do we find such teaching as “accept Jesus”.
The recent storms in Texas and in Florida have seen the best in humanity coming out as people worked together to rescue or help their family, neighbors, friends or strangers. However, in the great outpouring of humanity helping humanity, cases have emerged of looters, stealing from stores to take advantage of the suffering of others. Riots in our streets over the last few years have revealed looters breaking windows and doors in order to get in steal from others. How can people be so callous as to take advantage and engage in stealing from others? The answer in part lies in the minds of men who do not believe they will be caught. From a spiritual view, the answer is they do not believe God will hold them accountable for what they do. His wrath is far from their thinking.
The man Felix had an encounter with Paul. Paul spoke with him about matters vital to life and happiness. Luke records for us the words of righteousness, temperance and the judgment to come (Acts 24:25). Something that Paul said caused Felix to tremble. One has not been taught the truth in the right way if they conclude that God’s wrath will not come to them. We desire as followers of Jesus the Christ to see all men come to salvation (I Tim. 2:4). If one rejects the knowledge of the love of God by sending His Son, then the person must contemplate the truth of the wrath of God on all unrighteousness and ungodliness.
Travel with me to a region around Jordan and a man named John immersing people in water to remit their sins. On this occasion the Pharisees and Sadducees came to see what was going on (Matt. 3:7). John, the enemy of political correctness, had the nerve to call them, snakes. This is not exactly the way to win friends and influence people. John was striving to reach the souls of men so hardened that in a short period of time would plot the murder of Jesus the Christ. After calling them snakes, he adds this question. Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? All accountable souls will one day stand before God. This statement by John has a more direct meaning.
For in verse 8, he calls on them to come into the water and allow him to immerse them in water to remove their sins. The ax was about to be laid to the tree. Toward the end of Jesus ministry He explained how that generation must answer for all the innocent blood that had been shed (Matt. 23:35). The generation to whom Jesus was speaking was told by Him, their house would be left desolate. The wrath of God poured out on the Jews who rejected Jesus.