Download Understanding the Goodness and Severity of God: A Study of Revelation 6 and more Study notes Philosophy in PDF only on Docsity! Lessons from the Book of Revelation Lesson 6 Marc W Gibson "THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH": THE GOODNESS AND SEVERITY OF GOD Introduction 1) When the sixth seal is opened, the great day of God's wrath is revealed (Rev. 6: 12-1 7) a) Great celestial and terrestrial turmoil strikes fear into the hearts of mankind who wish to be hidden from the wrath of God 2) The question in the great day of God's wrath is "Who is able to stand?" (v. 17) a) God's wrath and dilemma of the wicked is reflected in the prophets of old (Nah. 1 :2, 6) 3) In seeking an answer to this question, we must consider both the goodness and severity of God (Nah. 1:7-8; Rom. 11:22) I) GOD'S GOODNESS A) God does good to all people in terms of His general providence (Matt. 5:45; Acts 14: 17) 1) God makes no distinction between those who are good or evil (us - Matt. 5 :44; Gal. 6: 10) B) God's goodness refers to His loving favor and care toward those who seek His will 1) God's goodness and mercy follow those who dwell in God's house (Psa. 23:6) 2) God's goodness is prepared for those who fear and trust in God (Psa. 31: 19) 3) God's goodness in Christ leads men to repent and be forgiven of sin (Rom. 2:4) II) GOD'S WRATH A) One must preach about the wrath of God (Isa. 9: 19-21; Jer. 10: 1 0; Rom. 1: 18; Lk. 3 :7) 1) God is "slow to anger" (Psa. 103:8), but His longsuffering will cease (2 Pet. 3:7, 9) B) God's wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Rom. 1:18) 1) God's wrath is without partiality (Rom. 2:5-11) C) God's wrath is a fearful thing - His vengeance on evil (Heb. 10:26-31; 12:29) 1) Pictured in Revelation (14:9-11, 18-20; 16: 1-21) D) God's wrath reflects His just nature (Rom. 3:5-6) 1) Not a heavenly temper tantrum or an out-of-control eruption of divine rage a) "God's wrath in the Bible is never the capricious, self-indulgent, irritable, morally ignoble thing that human anger so often is. It is, instead, a right and necessary reaction to objective moral evil" (J. I. Packer, Knowing God, 151). 2) Sinners must face the consequences of sin as an offense to the holiness of God (Hab. 1: 13) a) Separation from God (Isa. 59: 1-2) and death (Rom. 6:23) 3) If God did not care about [sin] , He would not be worthy of our worship and praise ( see Rev. 19: 1-2) III) SALVATION FROM GOD'S WRATH A) Needed by all men for all have sinned (Rom. 3 :23) B) Saved from wrath through Christ - justified by His blood (Rom. 5:6-9) C) The forgiveness of sin provided by the mercy and grace of God means that those who come to Christ in faith will be delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1: 10) 1) If we do not understand the terror of God's wrath, we cannot truly appreciate the depth of the wonderful riches of God's love, grace, and mercy which brings salvation to us!
