The Bible speaks of three different major events which are coming to our planet. In the order of their arrival, they are:
- the Antichrist (1 John 2:18)
- the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Thess. 2:1; etc.)
- the wrath of God (1 Thess. 1:10; Col. 3:6)
Most Christians know Jesus is coming back again and many are, therefore, wrongly waiting in vain for an any moment rapture to snatch them away to heaven before the Antichrist arrives. If we are the last generation, such people will be sadly disappointed when it doesn’t happen like they were taught. Some may have their faith in Jesus crushed at that time because of false teaching. (The Bible teaches a post tribulation rapture, not a pre-trib rapture.) First, the Antichrist will come, then the Christ. After that the wrath of God is coming.
We tend to hear very little about the wrath of God, which is also coming. The wrath of God will hit after the Rapture (Rev. 6:16,17; 11:18) and our being gathered to Jesus. Jesus will rescue us from God’s wrath (1 Thess. 1:10). But WHY is the wrath of God coming to the planet? Here is the answer:
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. (Col 3:5,6)
The answer is SIN. Sin has always provoked the anger and wrath of God. God’s wrath can be so furious, as shown in Noah’s day, that all were destroyed who were not in the Ark. Some estimate there were 1 billion people then because the people lived so long. God killed them all because of their SINS. The same is shown again with Sodom and Gomorrah. Various people were also struck dead by God in the Old Testament showing the same. In the New Testament, Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead over ONE LIE (Acts 5:1-10). God doesn’t change! Sin brings out his worst and the final out pouring of God’s wrath will be the most terrifying of all. Read what happens for yourself in Revelation. Billions will die, as sin and wickedness prevail and truth and godliness are suppressed. But even now, the Christians are told to PUT TO DEATH whatever belongs to their earthly nature (Col. 3:5). It is our responsibility, under grace, to do that now. It is a fight to the death. Either the Christian does that with the help of God or the flesh or sinful nature will put him to spiritual death. Sin remains the issue and will lead to the coming of the wrath of God again. Do YOU have eternal life NOW?
