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Anger: Spiritual Drano®

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

The Bible frequently speaks of God's anger or wrath flaring out at sin, portraying His fury as a whirlwind in Jeremiah 30:23-24. Why would God deny to us, His children, something that constitutes part of His character, since we are created in His image and likeness as stated in Genesis 1:26? God did create us to express anger, and He expects us to use it for a vital and necessary purpose. God cannot tolerate sin, refusing to coexist with it, as Habakkuk 1:13 declares that He is of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look on wickedness. He intends for us to blaze with white hot anger at the sin in our lives, taking our fury out on the thoughts and behaviors that harm us. God is slow to anger, as noted in Psalm 145:8, using it cautiously; Nahum 1:3 suggests that though He does not quickly lose His temper, He will employ anger when necessary. God expects us to use godly indignation to flush out our sins, encouraging a diligent clearing of ourselves through indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal, and vindication, as Paul writes in II Corinthians 7:11.

The Goodness and Severity of God (Part Two)

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker

God's anger, though intense, is brief in its burning. His wrath does not endure long, as seen in various passages where His destructive anger is swiftly followed by restorative actions. In Isaiah 10:25, He describes the punishment He will bring upon Israel, particularly the northern tribes, yet emphasizes the short duration of His wrath. Micah 7:18-20 highlights His inclination to end correction quickly and hasten healing, reflecting His recognition of human frailty and His desire to reinstate normalcy. In the context of the Day of the Lord, as addressed by the prophet Amos in Amos 5:18-20, the people of Israel misunderstood the nature of this time, expecting only light and prosperity, but Amos warns of darkness and doom with no escape for the doomed, portraying a day of total darkness contrary to their expectations. However, for those not doomed, God promptly extends great compassion and takes restorative action. In His interface with mankind, as described by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans, God's character embodies both goodness and severity, responding rigorously to sin due to its harmfulness, yet His mercy is not to be abused lest His severity be incurred. Historically, as Paul illustrates in Hebrews 12:18-29, whether He expresses Himself in wrath or kindness, in destruction or in the gentleness of His Spirit, His purpose remains the outworking of His plan and reconciliation through His great compassion.

The Wrath of God

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's wrath, unlike human anger, is just, impartial, and measured, often swift and destructive when unleashed. It is a significant theme in Scripture, mentioned over 220 times in various phrases such as God's anger, wrath, or fury. Though we often emphasize His kinder virtues, His wrath is an integral part of His character, balancing His mercy and grace with justice. As seen in Psalm 103, David praised God for His mercy, recognizing that He forbears anger, giving time for repentance, as with David's sin with Bathsheba, though wrath eventually fell with the death of the child. Psalm 7 reveals that He is angry with the wicked every day, a just judge reacting to sin. In Romans 11:21-22, Paul highlights the dichotomy of God's goodness and severity, showing that His wrath is an aspect of His love, aimed at providing justice, eliminating evil, and spurring repentance. He desires to produce righteous character, using wrath or love as needed. At the end times, as described in Revelation 8, 9, and 11, trumpets announce plagues and steps of His wrath against the world's evil, culminating in the seventh trumpet signaling the return of Jesus Christ and the time of His great wrath. Matthew 24, I Corinthians 15, and I Thessalonians 4 confirm this, while Zechariah 14 depicts the gruesome devastation of His anger against those who reject Him and fight against His Son. Historically, His wrath is evident in events like the Great Flood, the destruction of the cities of the plain, and plagues against His own people in Numbers 11 for their sins. In Judges 2, His anger repeatedly brought oppression on Israel to turn them back to Him, and in II Kings and II Chronicles 36, His wrath led to the exile of Israel and Judah for their persistent disobedience. Amos 3:2 underscores that because He uniquely knew and favored Israel, their failure to obey made them special objects of His punishment. Romans 1 reveals that as Creator, He expects reverence and obedience, yet mankind's rejection of Him leads to experiencing the bitter fruits of sin, with His wrath justified by their inexcusable actions. Romans 2 outlines principles of His wrath: it is based on truth, falls only after exhausting His forbearance, reacts to real human deeds, is impartial, and applies to all who must stand before His judgment. Even those under grace remain under judgment, needing to endure to the end, as II Corinthians 5:10 and Matthew 24:13 emphasize. Finally, I Thessalonians 5:1-11 assures that maintaining a faithful relationship with Him and His Son Jesus Christ keeps us under grace, not wrath. Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come, as stated in I Thessalonians 1:10 and Romans 5:9, connecting us to life and salvation at the sound of the seventh trumpet, fulfilling the hope of eternal life in His Kingdom.

The Goodness and Severity of God

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

On the heels of destruction will come the forces of reconciliation. The forces of destruction and construction will appear to be virtually simultaneous.

Hidden Anger (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

'Of the seven deadly sins, anger is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the ...'

God, Satan, and David's Numbering of Israel

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

An apparent contradiction exists between I Chronicles 21:1 stating that Satan moved David to take the census while I Samuel 21:1 says that God did.

Clouds (Part Two): God's Cloud as His Chariot

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker

God's cloud expresses His glory because of His presence in it. His 'portable throne' in Ezekiel 1 and 10 is likewise linked to 'a great cloud.'

Would Our God Do That?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The distorted perception of Jesus as an effeminate and ineffective Savior fails to understand that He is the so-called stern God of the Old Testament.

God's Wrath and Hell

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Oblivion, not eternal torment in hell fire, is the merciful end for the wicked. God is both good and severe, but His mercy endures forever.

Anger (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Unrighteous anger, whether explosive or smoldering, can lead to high blood pressure, migraine headaches, or can ultimately lead to our spiritual demise.

Prayer and Seeking God

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Rather than having an apathetic relationship toward God, we must ardently, earnestly, and fervently seek God in order to imitate His behavior in our lives.

Why Was God So Angry With Israel? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

The well of God's patience is not bottomless. Today, we are witnessing God's waning patience with this nation as He removes His hand of protection.

Why Was God So Angry With Israel? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

What caused God to become so enraged at Israel when they refused to enter the Promised Land? The story starts a few years earlier in the Exodus from Egypt.

Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the matter of godly standards for dress, we must adopt the humble, childlike, sincere, unassuming, and teachable attitude, loving God intimately.

The Second Exodus (Part Two)

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

The timing of the regathering of Israel is uncertain, but here are the Scriptural markers that narrow the time frame to a significant prophetic event.

The Sixth Seal

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Sixth Seal of Revelation foretells of the sun turning black and the moon turning red, stars falling, and a terrible earthquake that moves mountains.

Shock and Awe - and Speed

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The world will experience the ultimate 'shock and awe campaign' at the second coming of Christ. When these events start, they will occur at meteoric speed.

Lamentations (Part Three)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Personified Jerusalem, whom God depicts as a grieving widow, blames others for her troubles while overlooking her own sins as the real cause of her sorrow.

How Emotions Affect Spiritual Maturity

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God displays emotions, but they are always under control, unlike mankind. Using God's Spirit, we can grow into emotional (not emotionless) spiritual maturity.

Lamentations (Part Five; 1989)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Amidst the devastation, the narrator has hope that God would rescue his humbled people. Though He punishes, God is still faithful and loyal to His people.

Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Five)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In Exodus 19, there are 12 parallels with Christ's dramatic return illustrated in Matthew 24. All of these events will culminate in a blast of a trumpet.

Lamentations (Part Four)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In Lamentations 2, Lady Jerusalem sidesteps godly repentance, opting instead for self-centered recrimination against Almighty God.

Psalms: Book Three (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Book Three of the Psalms addresses the compulsion to fast and to mourn. Judah's faithlessness brought about the horrific destruction of Jerusalem on Av 9.

How Long, O Lord? (1994)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The references to trumpets suggest an announcement of a specific event or an alarm of what is to follow. Typically, the events themselves are figurative trumpet blasts.

A Cause of Terrorism

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God is allowing these increasing acts of terrorism as punishment for our peoples' forsaking the Covenant with Him and despising His holy law.

Zephaniah (Part One): The Day of the Lord Is Near!

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Zephaniah's prophecy is sharply focused on Judah and Jerusalem because they should have known better. They are ordered to keep silent and consider their sins.

Lamentations (Part Eight; 1989)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Lamentations 4 contains a series of contrasts, showing the indignities suffered by a once proud people reduced to humiliating servitude because of idolatry.