Chapter 9: The Wrath of God

Revelation 16:1 (NKJV) Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."

There is a time coming when God will judge the world for rejecting His Son and for sin. It will be a day of wrath and judgment. In the Bible, this time is descriptively called the Wrath of God (Col. 3:6; Rev. 14:9-10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1). In some passages, it is called the Day of the Lord (Joel 1:15; 2:1-11; 1 Thes. 5:1-9). It will be a day of vengeance when God’s wrath will be expressed in the form of seven plagues poured out upon the earth. There will be much physical pain and trouble for the inhabitants of earth at that time. Some have taught that the plagues of God’s wrath are part of the Great Tribulation. That is not the case according to the Bible (see the chapter explaining the difference between the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God).

The seven plagues in the Book of Revelation constitute the outpouring of the Wrath of God (Rev. 6:17; 11:18 with the following references). Details of the seven plagues are first provided in Revelation 8:6-13, 9:1-21, and 11:15-19. The seven plagues are described a second time in Revelation 16:1-21. Notice that the plagues are poured out by angels of God (Rev. 8:6,10; 11:15; 16:1). Revelation 16:1 says, "Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.’" These plagues described in the Book of Revelation are the outpouring of God’s wrath upon a sinful world (Rev. 18:4, 8). Since the Great Tribulation is demonic persecution (under the direction of the Beast) rather than godly judgment, it should be clear that the seven plagues of God’s wrath are not part of the Great Tribulation.

Failure to recognize that the same seven plagues are described twice in the Book of Revelation can lead to confusion about end-time events. Even though the plagues are described from slightly different view points, the two different descriptions for each plague can be compared to see that both descriptions apply to the same event. There is only one set of seven plagues, but they are described twice in the Book of Revelation. (See the chapter on the seven plagues of the Wrath of God for more information.)

Christians are not destined to suffer the Wrath of God (Rom. 5:9; 1 Thes. 5:9; Rev. 18:4). Through faith in Jesus, He has delivered us from the coming wrath (1 Thes. 1:9-10). Therefore, Christians will not suffer the Wrath of God.

The Beast and non-Christians will suffer terribly during the Wrath of God (Rom. 1:18; 2:5-9; Eph 5:3-7; Col. 3:5-6; Rev. 9:3-6; 16:9-11). Even though they refuse to repent, they will be forced to acknowledge that Jesus is the Lord of all (Rev. 9:20-21; 16:9, 11; 11:13; Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10-11). Since no one repents during the Wrath of God, it would appear that no one is saved during the Wrath of God (Acts 3:19; 11:18). Like the flood of Noah’s days, the Wrath of God is a time of punishment, not a time of correction (Mat. 24:36-39; Gen. 6:5-8, 13, 17; Gen. 7:13-24).

Summary

Term Definition:

The Wrath of God is a scriptural term referring to a specific period of time when God will punish the Beast and those who worship him (Rev. 14:9-11). This outpouring of God’s wrath will take the form of seven plagues (Rev. 8:1-13; 9:1-21; 11:1-19; 15:1-21). The Wrath of God is sometimes called the Day of the Lord (Joel 1:15; 2:1-11; 1 Thes. 5:1-9).

Significance of the Wrath of God:

The Wrath of God is a time of punishment for the Beast and all those who worship him and take his mark during the Great Tribulation (Rev. 14:9-11). The Wrath of God is God’s judgment upon sin and sinners (Rom. 1:18; 2:5-9; Eph 5:3-7; Col. 3:5-6).

Source of the Wrath of God:

The Wrath of God comes from God (Rom. 2:5-9; 2 Thes. 1:6-10; Rev. 15:6-7). It is performed by angels under His command (Rev. 8:1-2; 11:17-18; 15:6-8; 16:1).

Length of the Wrath of God:

The precise length of the Wrath of God is not given in the Bible. One of the plagues lasts five months (Rev. 9:5). Therefore the Wrath of God lasts at least five months.

Events Prior to the Wrath of God:

The Great Tribulation occurs before the Wrath of God (also see the Chronological Relationships chapter). Immediately after the Great Tribulation (but before the Wrath of God) certain signs will occur in the sun, moon, and stars (Mat. 24:29; Rev. 6:12-14). Also, Jesus will be seen by the people on earth as He returns to gather His people (Mat. 24:27, 30-21; Rev. 6:15-17).

Events of the Wrath of God:

The primary events associated with the Wrath of God are the seven plagues poured out in judgment upon the earth and its inhabitants (Rev. 8:6-13; 9:1-21; 11:15-19; 15:1; 16:1-21).

God During the Wrath of God:

God’s judgment and punishment will be poured out as seven plagues upon those who remain on the earth after the Rapture (Rev. 8:1-13; 9:1-21; 11:1-19; 15:1-21). God will be a shelter for His people (Joel 3:9-16).

Christians During the Wrath of God:

Most Christians will be in heaven during the Wrath of God (Rev. 7:9-17; 15:1-4). There will be 144,000 people who are sealed to protect them against the plagues (Rev. 7:1-8; 14:1-5). These will participate in the outpouring of the Wrath of God or possibly will witness against the people of the earth by explaining the reason for the plagues (Rev. 14:1-4). Two witnesses will also testify against the people during the Wrath of God (Rev. 11:3-13). The people of God will not suffer the plagues of the Wrath of God (Rom. 5:9; 1 Thes. 5:9; 1:9-10; Joel 3:9-16; Rev. 7:2-3).

Satan During the Wrath of God:

The Bible does not describe many of Satan’s activities during the Wrath of God. Satan (the dragon) will gather the people of the earth at Armageddon to fight against God during the Wrath of God (Rev. 16:13-14).

Beast During the Wrath of God:

The Beast will suffer severe punishment during the Wrath of God (Rev. 16:10-11). The Beast will kill God’s two witnesses between the sixth and seventh plagues (Rev. 11:7). The Beast, Satan, and the False Prophet will gather the people together at Armageddon to fight against God (Rev. 16:13-14).

Non-Christians During the Wrath of God:

Non-Christians will suffer punishment during the Wrath of God (Rom. 1:18; 2:5-9; Eph 5:3-7; Col. 3:5-6; Rev. 9:3-6; 16:9-11). They will blaspheme God (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21). They will refuse to repent for their evil (Rev. 9:20-21; 16:9, 11). They will be forced to give God the glory due Him (Rev. 11:13; Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10-11).

Events Following the Wrath of God:

Satan will be bound for 1000 years and the Millennium will begin (Rev. 20:1-4).

Scripture references for the Wrath of God:

Mat. 24:36-39; Luke 17:22-30; Rom. 1:18; Rom. 2:5-9; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 14:11; Eph. 5:3-7; Col. 3:5-6; 1 Thes. 1:9-10; 1 Thes. 5:1-9; 2 Thes. 1:6-10; Rev. 6:12-17; Rev. 7:1-17; Rev. 8:1-13; Rev. 9:1-21; Rev. 11:1-19; Rev. 14:7-12, 17-20; Rev. 15:1-21; Rev. 16:1-21; Rev. 18:4, 8; Rev. 19:11-21; Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1-11, 28-32; Joel 3:12-16; Zech. 14:1-15; Isa. 2:10-21; Isa. 13:1-16; Isa. 24:1-23; Isa. 26:20-21; Isa. 63:1-6; Ezek. 7:1-27

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Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. NKJV indicates quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. KJV indicates quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Numbers associated with Greek (italic) or Hebrew (upright) words refer to the corresponding words in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D.

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God bless you.
Sonny Bowman

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