Reflections on the Wrath of God Marvin Moore Signs of the Times

Perspective Digest Volume 11 Article 1 Issue 2 Spring

2006 Reflections on the Wrath of God Marvin Moore Signs of the Times

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Recommended Citation Moore, Marvin (2006) "Reflections on the Wrath of God," Perspective Digest: Vol. 11 : Iss. 2 , Article 1. Available at: http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol11/iss2/1

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Adventist Theological Society at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Perspective Digest by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Moore: Reflections on the Wrath of God BY MARVIN MOORE* godlessness and wickedness of men rah with fire and brimstone. A third who suppress the truth by their is His deliverance of Israel from wickedness” (1:18). Egyptian slavery with hail and fire · “Because of your stubbornness and storm and the slaying of the and your unrepentant heart, you are firstborn of Egyptian animals and storing up wrath against yourself for people. The destruction of Pharaoh’s REFLECTIONS the day of God’s wrath, when his army in the Red Sea was also active righteous judgment will be re- wrath. vealed” (2:5). The Bible also predicts that at least · “For those who are self-seeking twice in the future God will intervene ON THE and who reject the truth and follow actively to punish evil and deliver His evil, there will be wrath and anger” people. Most Christians are familiar (vs. 8). with Revelation’s description of fire The Bible clearly speaks of this coming down from heaven and de- issue, so what’s the debate all about? vouring the wicked in the lake of fire WRATH OF GOD Why is anyone questioning what the at the end of the millennium (Rev. Bible seems to teach so clearly? 20:9). God will also intervene forcefully in human history at the begin- Active, Passive, and No Wrath ning of the millennium with the sec- God’s anger is a difficult subject that we The issue is whether God’s wrath ond coming of Christ. Revelation must come to terms with. is active or passive—or whether He 6:12-17; 16:17-21 picture God de- has no wrath at all. Each alternative stroying the Earth with a violent, he issue of God’s wrath has wrath anywhere in the Bible, it says has its proponents. global earthquake at Christ’s second become somewhat controver- that those who accept the mark of Active Wrath. The “active wrath” coming, and 19:11-20 shows Christ sial within the Adventist the beast will “drink of the wine of model proposes that God has inter- engaging the world’s armies in a vio- T Church in recent years. the wrath of God, which is mixed in vened personally, intentionally, and lent war that concludes with the The Bible speaks repeatedly full strength in the cup of His anger” in some cases violently to put down destruction of the forces of evil. of God’s wrath. Psalm 2:5 says, for (14:10, NASB). And Paul spoke sev- evil in the past—and that He will do Paul spoke of this active form of example, that God “rebukes [the eral times about God’s wrath in both so even more forcefully in the future. God’s wrath in Romans 2: “Because kings of the earth] in his anger and Romans 1 and 2: The purpose of His active exercise of of your stubbornness and your terrifies them in his wrath” (NIV).** · “The wrath of God is being wrath is either to punish evil people unrepentant heart, you are storing God said to Jeremiah, “‘Take from revealed from heaven against all the for their sins or to deliver His own up wrath against yourself for the day my hand this cup filled with the people from their grasp, and often of God’s wrath” (vs. 5). “The day of wine of my wrath and make all the * Marvin Moore is the Editor of Signs both purposes merge into one. God’s wrath” is clearly a reference to nations to whom I send you drink of the Times®, whose editorial offices An obvious example of God’s the second coming of Christ, and it’” (25:15). are in Nampa, Idaho. active wrath in the past is His Paul said that unrepentant Jews were Revelation echoes the same ** Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quo- destruction of the sinful world at the preparing themselves to experience theme in the New Testament. In the tations in this article are taken from the New time of the Flood. Another is His that wrath. most vivid description of God’s International Version. destruction of Sodom and Gomor- He said essentially the same thing

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,4 2006 1 5 Perspective Digest, Vol. 11 [2006], Iss. 2, Art. 1 BY MARVIN MOORE* godlessness and wickedness of men rah with fire and brimstone. A third who suppress the truth by their is His deliverance of Israel from wickedness” (1:18). Egyptian slavery with hail and fire · “Because of your stubbornness and storm and the slaying of the and your unrepentant heart, you are firstborn of Egyptian animals and storing up wrath against yourself for people. The destruction of Pharaoh’s REFLECTIONS the day of God’s wrath, when his army in the Red Sea was also active righteous judgment will be re- wrath. vealed” (2:5). The Bible also predicts that at least · “For those who are self-seeking twice in the future God will intervene ON THE and who reject the truth and follow actively to punish evil and deliver His evil, there will be wrath and anger” people. Most Christians are familiar (vs. 8). with Revelation’s description of fire The Bible clearly speaks of this coming down from heaven and de- issue, so what’s the debate all about? vouring the wicked in the lake of fire WRATH OF GOD Why is anyone questioning what the at the end of the millennium (Rev. Bible seems to teach so clearly? 20:9). God will also intervene forcefully in human history at the begin- Active, Passive, and No Wrath ning of the millennium with the sec- God’s anger is a difficult subject that we The issue is whether God’s wrath ond coming of Christ. Revelation must come to terms with. is active or passive—or whether He 6:12-17; 16:17-21 picture God de- has no wrath at all. Each alternative stroying the Earth with a violent, he issue of God’s wrath has wrath anywhere in the Bible, it says has its proponents. global earthquake at Christ’s second become somewhat controver- that those who accept the mark of Active Wrath. The “active wrath” coming, and 19:11-20 shows Christ sial within the Adventist the beast will “drink of the wine of model proposes that God has inter- engaging the world’s armies in a vio- T Church in recent years. the wrath of God, which is mixed in vened personally, intentionally, and lent war that concludes with the The Bible speaks repeatedly full strength in the cup of His anger” in some cases violently to put down destruction of the forces of evil. of God’s wrath. Psalm 2:5 says, for (14:10, NASB). And Paul spoke sev- evil in the past—and that He will do Paul spoke of this active form of example, that God “rebukes [the eral times about God’s wrath in both so even more forcefully in the future. God’s wrath in Romans 2: “Because kings of the earth] in his anger and Romans 1 and 2: The purpose of His active exercise of of your stubbornness and your terrifies them in his wrath” (NIV).** · “The wrath of God is being wrath is either to punish evil people unrepentant heart, you are storing God said to Jeremiah, “‘Take from revealed from heaven against all the for their sins or to deliver His own up wrath against yourself for the day my hand this cup filled with the people from their grasp, and often of God’s wrath” (vs. 5). “The day of wine of my wrath and make all the * Marvin Moore is the Editor of Signs both purposes merge into one. God’s wrath” is clearly a reference to nations to whom I send you drink of the Times®, whose editorial offices An obvious example of God’s the second coming of Christ, and it’” (25:15). are in Nampa, Idaho. active wrath in the past is His Paul said that unrepentant Jews were Revelation echoes the same ** Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quo- destruction of the sinful world at the preparing themselves to experience theme in the New Testament. In the tations in this article are taken from the New time of the Flood. Another is His that wrath. most vivid description of God’s International Version. destruction of Sodom and Gomor- He said essentially the same thing

4 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol11/iss2/15 2 Moore: Reflections on the Wrath of God in verse 8: “For those who are self- to sexual impurity for the degrad- We can safely begin by saying that any teaching about God's seeking and who reject the truth and ing of their bodies with one an- ultimate dealing with sin and sinners must be consistent with His follow evil, there will be wrath and other” (vs. 24). anger.” Again, the words “there will · “Because of this, God gave them love. The problem for us humans is how to bring together be wrath and anger” are in the future over to shameful lusts,” and they everything we know about God without creating unacceptable con- tense, suggesting that the wrath and “received in themselves the due anger will be manifested at Christ’s penalty for their perversion” (vss. 26, tradictions. How should love respond to evil? Does love always sit second coming. 27). back and wait for evil to resolve itself, or does love at times inter- Passive Wrath. The active model · “[God] gave them over to a of God’s wrath has prevailed exclu- depraved mind, to do what ought vene actively to prevent evil from carrying out its harmful designs? sively within the Adventist Church not to be done” (vs. 28). throughout most of our history. The These verses support the passive passive wrath model, however, wrath model, because they state that allowed evil to run its course as a end God will finally resort to force to gained a small but resolute following God simply gives sinful people over demonstration to the universe of put down evil.” during the last three decades of the to the natural outworking of their what evil is really like. This raises a significant question: 20th century. This model proposes sins, letting nature take its course. However, it’s a mistake to make How does the idea of God’s that God’s wrath is primarily exer- No Wrath. This is actually a com- the passive model the complete ex- wrath—especially the concept of cised by His abandonment of evil to mon theme of those who propose planation of God’s wrath. There’s His active wrath—square with the the natural outworking of its own the passive wrath model, often argu- too much biblical evidence that God primary attribute of God’s charac- destructiveness. ing the passive wrath model in no has intervened actively to put down ter, which is love? This is where Romans 1 is partic- wrath terms, claiming that anger is evil in the past and that He will do so We can safely begin by saying that ularly relevant. Paul said that “the contrary to God’s character of love. again in the future. any teaching about God’s ultimate wrath of God is being revealed from If the idea of “no wrath” is ex- dealing with sin and sinners must be heaven against all the godlessness cluded from the passive wrath Anger, Force, and God’s Love consistent with His love. The prob- and wickedness of men who sup- model, God’s wrath is both active Several years ago as editor of the lem for us humans is how to bring press the truth by their wickedness” and passive. Romans 1 makes it clear Signs of the Times® I received a letter together everything we know about (vs. 18). This verse could be inter- that God’s wrath is passive at times. to the editor that illustrates the God without creating unacceptable preted to support the active wrath In fact, the proponents of the passive objection many proponents of the contradictions. How should love model. However, Paul wrote in the wrath model are close to being cor- passive and no wrath models have to respond to evil? Does love always sit present tense—“the wrath of God is rect when they suggest that this is the idea that God’s wrath can also be back and wait for evil to resolve being revealed”—and there’s scant the exclusive way God expresses His active. This letter was in response to itself, or does love at times intervene evidence of God’s active interven- wrath. The incidents of His active an article about Armageddon: actively to prevent evil from carry- tion in the lives of evil people at that intervention to put down evil with “I believe the view presented pic- ing out its harmful designs? time in history. Furthermore, several force in the history of our world are tures God as arbitrary, vengeful, and It should be evident that active other statements Paul made in chap- few and far between. And there’s a severe, using His power to put down intervention may be the most loving ter 1 suggest that the passive wrath reason for this. Throughout nearly evil—the very characteristics that thing that a loving being—divine or model is what he had in mind: all of history, we humans have lived Satan attributes to God but that are human—can do. A couple stories · “Therefore God gave them over in probationary time. During this actually characteristics of Satan illustrate this point well. in the sinful desires of their hearts time, God has for the most part himself. I do not believe that in the The first is about a family in

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,6 2006 3 7 Perspective Digest, Vol. 11 [2006], Iss. 2, Art. 1 in verse 8: “For those who are self- to sexual impurity for the degrad- We can safely begin by saying that any teaching about God's seeking and who reject the truth and ing of their bodies with one an- ultimate dealing with sin and sinners must be consistent with His follow evil, there will be wrath and other” (vs. 24). anger.” Again, the words “there will · “Because of this, God gave them love. The problem for us humans is how to bring together be wrath and anger” are in the future over to shameful lusts,” and they everything we know about God without creating unacceptable con- tense, suggesting that the wrath and “received in themselves the due anger will be manifested at Christ’s penalty for their perversion” (vss. 26, tradictions. How should love respond to evil? Does love always sit second coming. 27). back and wait for evil to resolve itself, or does love at times inter- Passive Wrath. The active model · “[God] gave them over to a of God’s wrath has prevailed exclu- depraved mind, to do what ought vene actively to prevent evil from carrying out its harmful designs? sively within the Adventist Church not to be done” (vs. 28). throughout most of our history. The These verses support the passive passive wrath model, however, wrath model, because they state that allowed evil to run its course as a end God will finally resort to force to gained a small but resolute following God simply gives sinful people over demonstration to the universe of put down evil.” during the last three decades of the to the natural outworking of their what evil is really like. This raises a significant question: 20th century. This model proposes sins, letting nature take its course. However, it’s a mistake to make How does the idea of God’s that God’s wrath is primarily exer- No Wrath. This is actually a com- the passive model the complete ex- wrath—especially the concept of cised by His abandonment of evil to mon theme of those who propose planation of God’s wrath. There’s His active wrath—square with the the natural outworking of its own the passive wrath model, often argu- too much biblical evidence that God primary attribute of God’s charac- destructiveness. ing the passive wrath model in no has intervened actively to put down ter, which is love? This is where Romans 1 is partic- wrath terms, claiming that anger is evil in the past and that He will do so We can safely begin by saying that ularly relevant. Paul said that “the contrary to God’s character of love. again in the future. any teaching about God’s ultimate wrath of God is being revealed from If the idea of “no wrath” is ex- dealing with sin and sinners must be heaven against all the godlessness cluded from the passive wrath Anger, Force, and God’s Love consistent with His love. The prob- and wickedness of men who sup- model, God’s wrath is both active Several years ago as editor of the lem for us humans is how to bring press the truth by their wickedness” and passive. Romans 1 makes it clear Signs of the Times® I received a letter together everything we know about (vs. 18). This verse could be inter- that God’s wrath is passive at times. to the editor that illustrates the God without creating unacceptable preted to support the active wrath In fact, the proponents of the passive objection many proponents of the contradictions. How should love model. However, Paul wrote in the wrath model are close to being cor- passive and no wrath models have to respond to evil? Does love always sit present tense—“the wrath of God is rect when they suggest that this is the idea that God’s wrath can also be back and wait for evil to resolve being revealed”—and there’s scant the exclusive way God expresses His active. This letter was in response to itself, or does love at times intervene evidence of God’s active interven- wrath. The incidents of His active an article about Armageddon: actively to prevent evil from carry- tion in the lives of evil people at that intervention to put down evil with “I believe the view presented pic- ing out its harmful designs? time in history. Furthermore, several force in the history of our world are tures God as arbitrary, vengeful, and It should be evident that active other statements Paul made in chap- few and far between. And there’s a severe, using His power to put down intervention may be the most loving ter 1 suggest that the passive wrath reason for this. Throughout nearly evil—the very characteristics that thing that a loving being—divine or model is what he had in mind: all of history, we humans have lived Satan attributes to God but that are human—can do. A couple stories · “Therefore God gave them over in probationary time. During this actually characteristics of Satan illustrate this point well. in the sinful desires of their hearts time, God has for the most part himself. I do not believe that in the The first is about a family in

6 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol11/iss2/17 4 Moore: Reflections on the Wrath of God We all want an angry God from time to time. But what feeling would you expe- his teen-age daughters. He said, rience if you saw a mother beating “Murderous.” Then I asked him how The cry, "Where was God when. . . ?" is a plea for an angry God. her five-year-old child with a piece he would want God to feel. He If we can feel anger over the little bit of abuse humans of garden hose? Name the feeling thought a moment, and then he perpetrate against one another that we observe, how must God you’d have if you saw a father hold said, “Murderous.” the lighted end of a cigarette against A number of years ago, my wife feel, who sees all the abuse that ever has his son’s bare skin. Or how about the and I visited the World War II con- happened and ever will happen? parents who keep a child tied to the centration camp in Dachau, Ger- bedpost or locked in a dark closet many. We felt profound anger as we day after day for weeks on end, wal- saw how Hitler treated Jews and lowing in its own excrement. These other “undesirables.” That was an which the father sexually abuses his intervened actively? The answer is are extreme examples, to be sure, but entirely appropriate response. daughter. One day he goes into the obvious. In the face of severe abuse, they do happen. So what feeling did Those who propose that God girl’s bedroom, and a few minutes active intervention is the most lov- you get when you read about these doesn’t become angry are rightly con- later the mother hears the daughter ing thing that a loving being can do. examples of abuse? cerned to avoid compromising His crying out, “No, Daddy, no! Please, Not to do so would be unloving. Anger is our normal human mercy. But mercy and justice need Daddy, stop!” So the mother goes to Those who favor the no-wrath response to injustice, and it’s also a each other. Justice without mercy an adjoining room, kneels down, concept argue that God doesn’t very loving response. It is bad only results in tyranny, abuse, and torture. and prays for God to intervene. become angry. This is what the cor- when we respond to it inappropri- But so does mercy without justice, for In the second story, the teenage respondent who wrote to Signs of the ately, such as when we lose our tem- mercy without justice allows evil peo- daughter of a farmer gets pregnant, Times® apparently believed. This pers. ple to take charge, as in the case of the but she hesitates to tell her parents view, however, involves a fundamen- God never loses His temper, but mother who prayed instead of inter- because she fears that her father will tal misunderstanding of anger, His anger—His wrath—is a very vening with force to protect her kill her. Finally, however, it becomes namely, that it’s always bad. appropriate and a very loving divine daughter. Justice that refuses to inter- impossible to hide the evidence, so Unfortunately, many Christians response to injustice. We all want an vene to protect the victims of abuse is before her father guesses the prob- have grown up with the idea that angry God from time to time. The very unmerciful. lem, she approaches him on the anger is bad. I can recall as a child cry, “Where was God when . . . ?” is a But should anger intervene with front porch of their cabin. When he being told that anger was bad, but plea for an angry God. If we can feel force? Our Signs correspondent said learns that she’s going to have a baby, “righteous indignation” was OK. anger over the little bit of abuse No, claiming that force is a character- he attacks her violently. In the midst Nobody ever defined righteous humans perpetrate against one istic of Satan. The stories of the two of her screams, the front door to the indignation, but plain old anger was another that we observe, how must mothers, however, help us to under- cabin bursts open. The girl’s mother always bad. And the proponents of God feel, who sees all the abuse that stand that sometimes forceful inter- leaps out, points a rifle at her hus- the passive model of God’s wrath ever has happened and ever will vention against evil is the most moral band, and shouts, “You strike my argue that, just as hot is the opposite happen? and the most loving thing we can do. daughter one more time, and you’re of cold and light is the opposite of I have a friend who believes that My correspondent at Signs said a dead man!” dark, so love is the opposite of anger anger is contrary to God’s character that force is a characteristic of Satan. Which mother showed the most and therefore anger is sinful, which of love, so I asked him one day how It’s true, of course, that Satan uses love for her daughter—the one who is why a loving God will never he would feel if an intruder were to force—to impose suffering, not to prayed passively or the one who become angry. break into his house and rape one of prevent it. Often, Satan uses force to

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,8 2006 5 9 Perspective Digest, Vol. 11 [2006], Iss. 2, Art. 1 We all want an angry God from time to time. But what feeling would you expe- his teen-age daughters. He said, rience if you saw a mother beating “Murderous.” Then I asked him how The cry, "Where was God when. . . ?" is a plea for an angry God. her five-year-old child with a piece he would want God to feel. He If we can feel anger over the little bit of abuse humans of garden hose? Name the feeling thought a moment, and then he perpetrate against one another that we observe, how must God you’d have if you saw a father hold said, “Murderous.” the lighted end of a cigarette against A number of years ago, my wife feel, who sees all the abuse that ever has his son’s bare skin. Or how about the and I visited the World War II con- happened and ever will happen? parents who keep a child tied to the centration camp in Dachau, Ger- bedpost or locked in a dark closet many. We felt profound anger as we day after day for weeks on end, wal- saw how Hitler treated Jews and lowing in its own excrement. These other “undesirables.” That was an which the father sexually abuses his intervened actively? The answer is are extreme examples, to be sure, but entirely appropriate response. daughter. One day he goes into the obvious. In the face of severe abuse, they do happen. So what feeling did Those who propose that God girl’s bedroom, and a few minutes active intervention is the most lov- you get when you read about these doesn’t become angry are rightly con- later the mother hears the daughter ing thing that a loving being can do. examples of abuse? cerned to avoid compromising His crying out, “No, Daddy, no! Please, Not to do so would be unloving. Anger is our normal human mercy. But mercy and justice need Daddy, stop!” So the mother goes to Those who favor the no-wrath response to injustice, and it’s also a each other. Justice without mercy an adjoining room, kneels down, concept argue that God doesn’t very loving response. It is bad only results in tyranny, abuse, and torture. and prays for God to intervene. become angry. This is what the cor- when we respond to it inappropri- But so does mercy without justice, for In the second story, the teenage respondent who wrote to Signs of the ately, such as when we lose our tem- mercy without justice allows evil peo- daughter of a farmer gets pregnant, Times® apparently believed. This pers. ple to take charge, as in the case of the but she hesitates to tell her parents view, however, involves a fundamen- God never loses His temper, but mother who prayed instead of inter- because she fears that her father will tal misunderstanding of anger, His anger—His wrath—is a very vening with force to protect her kill her. Finally, however, it becomes namely, that it’s always bad. appropriate and a very loving divine daughter. Justice that refuses to inter- impossible to hide the evidence, so Unfortunately, many Christians response to injustice. We all want an vene to protect the victims of abuse is before her father guesses the prob- have grown up with the idea that angry God from time to time. The very unmerciful. lem, she approaches him on the anger is bad. I can recall as a child cry, “Where was God when . . . ?” is a But should anger intervene with front porch of their cabin. When he being told that anger was bad, but plea for an angry God. If we can feel force? Our Signs correspondent said learns that she’s going to have a baby, “righteous indignation” was OK. anger over the little bit of abuse No, claiming that force is a character- he attacks her violently. In the midst Nobody ever defined righteous humans perpetrate against one istic of Satan. The stories of the two of her screams, the front door to the indignation, but plain old anger was another that we observe, how must mothers, however, help us to under- cabin bursts open. The girl’s mother always bad. And the proponents of God feel, who sees all the abuse that stand that sometimes forceful inter- leaps out, points a rifle at her hus- the passive model of God’s wrath ever has happened and ever will vention against evil is the most moral band, and shouts, “You strike my argue that, just as hot is the opposite happen? and the most loving thing we can do. daughter one more time, and you’re of cold and light is the opposite of I have a friend who believes that My correspondent at Signs said a dead man!” dark, so love is the opposite of anger anger is contrary to God’s character that force is a characteristic of Satan. Which mother showed the most and therefore anger is sinful, which of love, so I asked him one day how It’s true, of course, that Satan uses love for her daughter—the one who is why a loving God will never he would feel if an intruder were to force—to impose suffering, not to prayed passively or the one who become angry. break into his house and rape one of prevent it. Often, Satan uses force to

8 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol11/iss2/19 6 Moore: Reflections on the Wrath of God get people to obey him. This God coming is symbolic. This is simply a In the presence of intolerable evil, force is also an entirely will never do. All who obey Him way of stating the literal truth that appropriate response from a loving God. The Bible says that when must do so by choice. His second coming will be a time of But does God ever use force? Is war. And war is always an act of vio- Lucifer and his angels chose to rebel against God's law force ever an appropriate response lent intervention. The images of of love in heaven, Michael and His army of angels cast them out. for any loving being? Yes. Force is birds eating the flesh of the wicked simply the exercise of power to bring and of beasts being thrown into a That was force—God using His power to expel rebellion about a desired result, and situations lake of fire are highly symbolic, but and evil from heaven. do exist in which it’s absolutely the idea behind these images—that essential that good people exercise Christ will destroy evil and evil peo- force in order to prevent horrible ple with force at His second com- evil from gaining control and creating—is very literal. and claw.” They would suffer a miser- If it’s within my power not take off ing chaos and suffering. Proponents of the passive and no- able, prolonged, pathetic extinction. my hat, then I’m responsible for In the presence of intolerable evil, wrath models are quite horrified at When we have a dog or cat with a those who die when I take it off, even force is also an entirely appropriate the suggestion that God will exercise painful terminal illness, in mercy we if I didn’t strike them. response from a loving God. The His active wrath in the final punish- ask the veterinarian to “put it to The Bible’s description of the Bible says that when Lucifer and his ment and destruction of the wicked. I sleep.”In the same way, God’s forceful final destruction of the wicked—fire angels chose to rebel against God’s suspect this is because they consider destruction of the wicked is a merci- coming down from God out of law of love in heaven, Michael and all anger to be bad. But when we con- ful alternative to truly allowing heaven—sounds like a releasing of His army of angels cast them out. sider anger an appropriate response nature to take its course. the forces of nature that heretofore That was force—God using His to evil and injustice, then it makes A common explanation sug- God has held in check. That’s pretty power to expel rebellion and evil perfect sense for a loving God to be gested by those who support the violent! A proponent of the passive from heaven. And the Bible teaches active as well as passive in dealing passive model of God’s wrath is that, model of God’s wrath might argue that an all-wise God will eventually with it. And the biblical teaching rather than God Himself bringing that God won’t personally destroy exercise the same force to expel about the final punishment of the fire down on the wicked, they’ll be the wicked in the lake of fire; He will rebellion from the entire universe. wicked in the lake of fire is simply a destroyed by the revelation of His simply release the forces of nature. picture—symbolic, perhaps, but true glory in the final judgment. But to That’s like saying that I’m not The Final Destruction of in a very real sense—of God inter- absolve God of the responsibility for responsible if my pit bull attacks the Wicked vening actively to put an end to evil. the death of the wicked by saying and injures you because all I did was What about God’s wrath in the Let’s consider the prospect of God “He will just unveil His glory” let go of the leash. I hardly think a final destruction of the wicked that’s truly refusing to intervene with force hardly gets Him off the hook. Imag- judge would acquit me on that described so graphically in Revela- to destroy the wicked, allowing their ine for a moment that I have a laser basis. If it’s within my power to tion? Those who argue for God’s eternal demise to be simply the nat- beam in my forehead that will kill restrain the dog, then I’m responsi- passive wrath exclusively point out, ural outworking of their choice to be people if I take my hat off in their ble for the consequences when I let correctly, that Revelation is highly evil. To do that, God would have to presence. If I ever did that and were it go. Similarly, if it’s within God’s symbolic. However, it doesn’t follow place them in a world all by them- hauled into court for murder, what power to restrain the forces of that everything in Revelation is sym- selves long enough for them to do you think the judge and jury nature, then it’s hardly an argument bolic. Certainly the image of Christ become extinct through degenera- would say to my plea that “I didn’t in favor of the passive model of His riding a white horse at His second tion, disease, and the reign of “tooth kill anyone; I just took off my hat”? wrath to say that the destruction of

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,10 2006 7 11 Perspective Digest, Vol. 11 [2006], Iss. 2, Art. 1 get people to obey him. This God coming is symbolic. This is simply a In the presence of intolerable evil, force is also an entirely will never do. All who obey Him way of stating the literal truth that appropriate response from a loving God. The Bible says that when must do so by choice. His second coming will be a time of But does God ever use force? Is war. And war is always an act of vio- Lucifer and his angels chose to rebel against God's law force ever an appropriate response lent intervention. The images of of love in heaven, Michael and His army of angels cast them out. for any loving being? Yes. Force is birds eating the flesh of the wicked simply the exercise of power to bring and of beasts being thrown into a That was force—God using His power to expel rebellion about a desired result, and situations lake of fire are highly symbolic, but and evil from heaven. do exist in which it’s absolutely the idea behind these images—that essential that good people exercise Christ will destroy evil and evil peo- force in order to prevent horrible ple with force at His second com- evil from gaining control and creating—is very literal. and claw.” They would suffer a miser- If it’s within my power not take off ing chaos and suffering. Proponents of the passive and no- able, prolonged, pathetic extinction. my hat, then I’m responsible for In the presence of intolerable evil, wrath models are quite horrified at When we have a dog or cat with a those who die when I take it off, even force is also an entirely appropriate the suggestion that God will exercise painful terminal illness, in mercy we if I didn’t strike them. response from a loving God. The His active wrath in the final punish- ask the veterinarian to “put it to The Bible’s description of the Bible says that when Lucifer and his ment and destruction of the wicked. I sleep.”In the same way, God’s forceful final destruction of the wicked—fire angels chose to rebel against God’s suspect this is because they consider destruction of the wicked is a merci- coming down from God out of law of love in heaven, Michael and all anger to be bad. But when we con- ful alternative to truly allowing heaven—sounds like a releasing of His army of angels cast them out. sider anger an appropriate response nature to take its course. the forces of nature that heretofore That was force—God using His to evil and injustice, then it makes A common explanation sug- God has held in check. That’s pretty power to expel rebellion and evil perfect sense for a loving God to be gested by those who support the violent! A proponent of the passive from heaven. And the Bible teaches active as well as passive in dealing passive model of God’s wrath is that, model of God’s wrath might argue that an all-wise God will eventually with it. And the biblical teaching rather than God Himself bringing that God won’t personally destroy exercise the same force to expel about the final punishment of the fire down on the wicked, they’ll be the wicked in the lake of fire; He will rebellion from the entire universe. wicked in the lake of fire is simply a destroyed by the revelation of His simply release the forces of nature. picture—symbolic, perhaps, but true glory in the final judgment. But to That’s like saying that I’m not The Final Destruction of in a very real sense—of God inter- absolve God of the responsibility for responsible if my pit bull attacks the Wicked vening actively to put an end to evil. the death of the wicked by saying and injures you because all I did was What about God’s wrath in the Let’s consider the prospect of God “He will just unveil His glory” let go of the leash. I hardly think a final destruction of the wicked that’s truly refusing to intervene with force hardly gets Him off the hook. Imag- judge would acquit me on that described so graphically in Revela- to destroy the wicked, allowing their ine for a moment that I have a laser basis. If it’s within my power to tion? Those who argue for God’s eternal demise to be simply the nat- beam in my forehead that will kill restrain the dog, then I’m responsi- passive wrath exclusively point out, ural outworking of their choice to be people if I take my hat off in their ble for the consequences when I let correctly, that Revelation is highly evil. To do that, God would have to presence. If I ever did that and were it go. Similarly, if it’s within God’s symbolic. However, it doesn’t follow place them in a world all by them- hauled into court for murder, what power to restrain the forces of that everything in Revelation is sym- selves long enough for them to do you think the judge and jury nature, then it’s hardly an argument bolic. Certainly the image of Christ become extinct through degenera- would say to my plea that “I didn’t in favor of the passive model of His riding a white horse at His second tion, disease, and the reign of “tooth kill anyone; I just took off my hat”? wrath to say that the destruction of

10 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol11/iss2/111 8 Moore: Reflections on the Wrath of God Is God vengeful? No—which means He isn’t spiteful. is death. However, a loving God Messiah: “He was pierced for our didn’t want to see His children die, transgressions, he was crushed for Is He severe? If by severe we mean “malicious,” No, but if we so He devised a plan whereby Jesus our iniquities; the punishment that mean “strict,” Yes. God is always strict in dealing with evil. would take the guilt of their sins brought us peace was upon him, and The life of every creature is ultimately in God’s hands. Therefore, upon Himself and suffer God’s pun- by his wounds we are healed. . . . For ishment in their place. His death the transgression of my people he when the time comes that the wicked are permanently would substitute for theirs. This was stricken. . . . The Lord [made] destroyed, God will be responsible for their death, and whether would meet the demands of God’s his life a guilt offering, . . . [He] . . . justice for the death of the sinner was numbered with the transgres- He takes personal action to make that happen or merely and give His erring children another sors. . . For he bore the sin of many” allows it to happen is irrelevant. opportunity to accept Him and (Isa. 53:5, 8, 10, 12). allow His Spirit to control their lives. It’s impossible to miss the con- This model is strongly supported by cept in these verses that the suffering both the Old and New Testaments. Servant took upon Himself both the the wicked in the lake of fire is sim- be responsible for their death, and The sacrificial system described guilt of human sin and its punish- ply the result of His releasing the whether He takes personal action to in Leviticus is an excellent example ment. And there’s an obvious use in forces of nature. make that happen or merely allows it of the substitutionary model of the verse 10 of the language of the Old My correspondent at Signs said to happen is irrelevant. His justice is atonement. When a person sinned, Testament sacrificial system: “The that “God is not arbitrary, vengeful, the reason that He will not only allow he was instructed to bring a lamb, a Lord [made] his life a guilt offering.” or severe.” It’s true that God isn’t it to happen but will actually initiate goat, or a bullock to the altar of sac- The King James Version says, “Thou arbitrary in His dealings with the its happening. And in the long-range rifice, confess his sins over it, and kill shalt make his soul an offering for wicked. An arbitrary God would scheme of things, that tragic event it in the presence of the priest. The sin,” and the New American Stan- destroy them with no consideration will be the most merciful thing a lov- priest would then sprinkle the blood dard Bible says, “He would render for what His loyal subjects thought. ing God could do! of the sacrificial victim either on the Himself as a guilt offering.” That’s why God refused to eradicate altar or on the curtain inside the Several New Testament passages sin the moment it arose in heaven Implications for the Atonement tabernacle. The Bible says that “in affirm the concept of sacrificial sub- many eons ago. He allowed it to con- The idea that God doesn’t become this way the priest will make atone- stitution. One of the best is Gala- tinue for several thousand years so angry—that He doesn’t experience ment for the man’s sin, and he will tians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from that all created beings could pass wrath—has major implications for be forgiven” (Lev. 4:26). The conclu- the curse of the law by becoming a judgment against it for themselves. understanding Christ’s atonement sion seems inescapable that the ani- curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed Is God vengeful? No—which for sin. In order to explain the prob- mal took the sinner’s guilt symboli- is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ ” means He isn’t spiteful. Is He severe? lem, we need to consider a couple of cally upon itself, died in the sinner’s The tree is a reference to Christ’s If by severe we mean “malicious,” theological explanations for why stead, and released the sinner from cross, by which Paul obviously No, but if we mean “strict,”Yes. God Jesus died. both the guilt for his sin and its pun- means His death on the cross. And is always strict in dealing with evil. One explanation is called the ishment. It would be difficult to find notice that Paul said that Christ The life of every creature is ulti- “substitutionary model” of the a more obvious illustration of sacri- became a curse for us, and by His mately in God’s hands. Therefore, atonement. The substitutionary ficial substitution. death Christ “redeemed us from the when the time comes that the wicked model is based on the very biblical Isaiah 53 applied this concept to curse of the law.” That’s clear substi- are permanently destroyed, God will concept that the punishment for sin the suffering Servant, that is, the tutionary language.

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,12 2006 9 13 Perspective Digest, Vol. 11 [2006], Iss. 2, Art. 1 Is God vengeful? No—which means He isn’t spiteful. is death. However, a loving God Messiah: “He was pierced for our didn’t want to see His children die, transgressions, he was crushed for Is He severe? If by severe we mean “malicious,” No, but if we so He devised a plan whereby Jesus our iniquities; the punishment that mean “strict,” Yes. God is always strict in dealing with evil. would take the guilt of their sins brought us peace was upon him, and The life of every creature is ultimately in God’s hands. Therefore, upon Himself and suffer God’s pun- by his wounds we are healed. . . . For ishment in their place. His death the transgression of my people he when the time comes that the wicked are permanently would substitute for theirs. This was stricken. . . . The Lord [made] destroyed, God will be responsible for their death, and whether would meet the demands of God’s his life a guilt offering, . . . [He] . . . justice for the death of the sinner was numbered with the transgres- He takes personal action to make that happen or merely and give His erring children another sors. . . For he bore the sin of many” allows it to happen is irrelevant. opportunity to accept Him and (Isa. 53:5, 8, 10, 12). allow His Spirit to control their lives. It’s impossible to miss the con- This model is strongly supported by cept in these verses that the suffering both the Old and New Testaments. Servant took upon Himself both the the wicked in the lake of fire is sim- be responsible for their death, and The sacrificial system described guilt of human sin and its punish- ply the result of His releasing the whether He takes personal action to in Leviticus is an excellent example ment. And there’s an obvious use in forces of nature. make that happen or merely allows it of the substitutionary model of the verse 10 of the language of the Old My correspondent at Signs said to happen is irrelevant. His justice is atonement. When a person sinned, Testament sacrificial system: “The that “God is not arbitrary, vengeful, the reason that He will not only allow he was instructed to bring a lamb, a Lord [made] his life a guilt offering.” or severe.” It’s true that God isn’t it to happen but will actually initiate goat, or a bullock to the altar of sac- The King James Version says, “Thou arbitrary in His dealings with the its happening. And in the long-range rifice, confess his sins over it, and kill shalt make his soul an offering for wicked. An arbitrary God would scheme of things, that tragic event it in the presence of the priest. The sin,” and the New American Stan- destroy them with no consideration will be the most merciful thing a lov- priest would then sprinkle the blood dard Bible says, “He would render for what His loyal subjects thought. ing God could do! of the sacrificial victim either on the Himself as a guilt offering.” That’s why God refused to eradicate altar or on the curtain inside the Several New Testament passages sin the moment it arose in heaven Implications for the Atonement tabernacle. The Bible says that “in affirm the concept of sacrificial sub- many eons ago. He allowed it to con- The idea that God doesn’t become this way the priest will make atone- stitution. One of the best is Gala- tinue for several thousand years so angry—that He doesn’t experience ment for the man’s sin, and he will tians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from that all created beings could pass wrath—has major implications for be forgiven” (Lev. 4:26). The conclu- the curse of the law by becoming a judgment against it for themselves. understanding Christ’s atonement sion seems inescapable that the ani- curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed Is God vengeful? No—which for sin. In order to explain the prob- mal took the sinner’s guilt symboli- is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ ” means He isn’t spiteful. Is He severe? lem, we need to consider a couple of cally upon itself, died in the sinner’s The tree is a reference to Christ’s If by severe we mean “malicious,” theological explanations for why stead, and released the sinner from cross, by which Paul obviously No, but if we mean “strict,”Yes. God Jesus died. both the guilt for his sin and its pun- means His death on the cross. And is always strict in dealing with evil. One explanation is called the ishment. It would be difficult to find notice that Paul said that Christ The life of every creature is ulti- “substitutionary model” of the a more obvious illustration of sacri- became a curse for us, and by His mately in God’s hands. Therefore, atonement. The substitutionary ficial substitution. death Christ “redeemed us from the when the time comes that the wicked model is based on the very biblical Isaiah 53 applied this concept to curse of the law.” That’s clear substi- are permanently destroyed, God will concept that the punishment for sin the suffering Servant, that is, the tutionary language.

12 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol11/iss2/113 10 Moore: Reflections on the Wrath of God The concept of substitutionary that Christ’s death on the cross beings to Himself in love. And that stration of God’s love for His chil- sacrifice is also evident in Ephesians demonstrated His love for us: “Christ creates a major problem. dren and nothing more. But this 5:2, where Paul said that “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as But what does this have to do would make about as much sense as loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to with God’s wrath? The issue can be a father jumping off a high bridge as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” The idea of the cross as a summed up in one simple question: and drowning in the river below to God.” In 2 Corinthians 5:21 Paul demonstration of God’s love for lost What did Christ suffer on the cross? show his son how much he loved said, “God made him who had no sinners is so pervasive in the New Tes- According to the substitutionary him. If the son had fallen into the sin to be sin for us, so that in him we tament that it hardly needs further model of the atonement, by His river, then the father’s jumping off might become the righteousness of corroboration. death on the cross Jesus paid the the bridge to save him would truly God.” And Peter said that “Christ So what is to be made of these price for human sin. And the price of be a demonstration of his love for suffered for you,” and “He himself two theories of the atonement? It human sin is to suffer the wrath of his son. But jumping for no good bore our sins in his body on the tree” would be impossible for any one God that He will exercise against the reason would be a demonstration of (1 Peter 2:21, 24). model of the atonement to encom- wicked in the second death. the father’s foolishness, not his love. There’s no question that the Bible pass all that Christ’s death on the So did Christ suffer God’s active At the very least, Christ suffered teaches sacrificial substitution in cross accomplished. Human analo- wrath or His passive wrath on the God’s passive wrath on the cross and both the Old and New Testaments. gies are too limited for that. Our best cross? Certainly, He suffered God’s very likely His active wrath as well. understanding of the atonement is passive wrath—God’s abandonment The wrath of God that Paul spoke The Moral Influence Model of provided by examining the strengths of sinners to the results of their sins. of in Romans 1 was largely God’s the Atonement of each model (including several not Jesus cried,“‘“My God, my God, why passive wrath. But in Romans 2 he According to the moral influence considered here). The moral influ- have you forsaken me?”’” (Matt. clearly had in mind God’s active theory of the atonement, Christ ence model helps us to understand 27:46). That’s passive wrath. wrath at the end of the age, because didn’t die as a substitute for sinners. the great love that God and Christ Did God take an active hand in in verse 5 he said, “Because of your His death on the cross was simply a have for human beings and the great the death of His Son? The Bible isn’t stubbornness and your unrepentant demonstration of God’s supreme drawing power of their love. The so clear on that. However, if God heart, you are storing up wrath love for human beings. Seeing this substitutionary model helps us un- took a hand at all in removing life against yourself for the day of God’s profound example of love, sinful derstand something of God’s justice, from His Son on Calvary, that would wrath.” That’s an eschatological people will be influenced to respond the importance of His law, and the be active wrath. If wrath is God’s statement. Again, in verse 8 he said, by seeking His forgiveness. seriousness of sin in His sight. punishment for sin, and if sinners “For those who are self-seeking and There’s no question that Christ’s The problem with the moral will suffer God’s active wrath at the who reject the truth and follow evil, sacrifice on the cross was a marvelous influence theory is in what it denies time of the second death, then it there will be wrath and anger.” demonstration of God’s love for the rather than in what it affirms. As would certainly be consistent for God does have wrath, and this human race. Many texts in the New pointed out earlier, the moral influ- God to have taken an active role in quality is perfectly in harmony with Testament attest to that. One of the ence theory denies that Christ died the death of His Son on the cross. His character of love. Indeed, if He best known and best loved is John as a substitute for human sin. It If Jesus didn’t suffer God’s wrath didn’t experience anger over all the 3:16: “God so loved the world that he claims that God didn’t need satisfac- for sin on the cross in any sense, then pain and suffering He observes in our gave his one and only Son, that who- tion for His justice. The law didn’t the substitutionary model of the world, He’d be like my cat, which can ever believes in him shall not perish demand a penalty that had to be atonement makes no sense, and observe all manner of abuse going on but have eternal life.” Ephesians 5:2, paid. Christ’s death was exclusively we’re left with the moral influence around it—and sleep through it all. I quoted earlier, also declares clearly for the purpose of drawing human model. Jesus’ death was a demon- don’t want a God like that!

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,14 2006 11 15 Perspective Digest, Vol. 11 [2006], Iss. 2, Art. 1 The concept of substitutionary that Christ’s death on the cross beings to Himself in love. And that stration of God’s love for His chil- sacrifice is also evident in Ephesians demonstrated His love for us: “Christ creates a major problem. dren and nothing more. But this 5:2, where Paul said that “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as But what does this have to do would make about as much sense as loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to with God’s wrath? The issue can be a father jumping off a high bridge as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” The idea of the cross as a summed up in one simple question: and drowning in the river below to God.” In 2 Corinthians 5:21 Paul demonstration of God’s love for lost What did Christ suffer on the cross? show his son how much he loved said, “God made him who had no sinners is so pervasive in the New Tes- According to the substitutionary him. If the son had fallen into the sin to be sin for us, so that in him we tament that it hardly needs further model of the atonement, by His river, then the father’s jumping off might become the righteousness of corroboration. death on the cross Jesus paid the the bridge to save him would truly God.” And Peter said that “Christ So what is to be made of these price for human sin. And the price of be a demonstration of his love for suffered for you,” and “He himself two theories of the atonement? It human sin is to suffer the wrath of his son. But jumping for no good bore our sins in his body on the tree” would be impossible for any one God that He will exercise against the reason would be a demonstration of (1 Peter 2:21, 24). model of the atonement to encom- wicked in the second death. the father’s foolishness, not his love. There’s no question that the Bible pass all that Christ’s death on the So did Christ suffer God’s active At the very least, Christ suffered teaches sacrificial substitution in cross accomplished. Human analo- wrath or His passive wrath on the God’s passive wrath on the cross and both the Old and New Testaments. gies are too limited for that. Our best cross? Certainly, He suffered God’s very likely His active wrath as well. understanding of the atonement is passive wrath—God’s abandonment The wrath of God that Paul spoke The Moral Influence Model of provided by examining the strengths of sinners to the results of their sins. of in Romans 1 was largely God’s the Atonement of each model (including several not Jesus cried,“‘“My God, my God, why passive wrath. But in Romans 2 he According to the moral influence considered here). The moral influ- have you forsaken me?”’” (Matt. clearly had in mind God’s active theory of the atonement, Christ ence model helps us to understand 27:46). That’s passive wrath. wrath at the end of the age, because didn’t die as a substitute for sinners. the great love that God and Christ Did God take an active hand in in verse 5 he said, “Because of your His death on the cross was simply a have for human beings and the great the death of His Son? The Bible isn’t stubbornness and your unrepentant demonstration of God’s supreme drawing power of their love. The so clear on that. However, if God heart, you are storing up wrath love for human beings. Seeing this substitutionary model helps us un- took a hand at all in removing life against yourself for the day of God’s profound example of love, sinful derstand something of God’s justice, from His Son on Calvary, that would wrath.” That’s an eschatological people will be influenced to respond the importance of His law, and the be active wrath. If wrath is God’s statement. Again, in verse 8 he said, by seeking His forgiveness. seriousness of sin in His sight. punishment for sin, and if sinners “For those who are self-seeking and There’s no question that Christ’s The problem with the moral will suffer God’s active wrath at the who reject the truth and follow evil, sacrifice on the cross was a marvelous influence theory is in what it denies time of the second death, then it there will be wrath and anger.” demonstration of God’s love for the rather than in what it affirms. As would certainly be consistent for God does have wrath, and this human race. Many texts in the New pointed out earlier, the moral influ- God to have taken an active role in quality is perfectly in harmony with Testament attest to that. One of the ence theory denies that Christ died the death of His Son on the cross. His character of love. Indeed, if He best known and best loved is John as a substitute for human sin. It If Jesus didn’t suffer God’s wrath didn’t experience anger over all the 3:16: “God so loved the world that he claims that God didn’t need satisfac- for sin on the cross in any sense, then pain and suffering He observes in our gave his one and only Son, that who- tion for His justice. The law didn’t the substitutionary model of the world, He’d be like my cat, which can ever believes in him shall not perish demand a penalty that had to be atonement makes no sense, and observe all manner of abuse going on but have eternal life.” Ephesians 5:2, paid. Christ’s death was exclusively we’re left with the moral influence around it—and sleep through it all. I quoted earlier, also declares clearly for the purpose of drawing human model. Jesus’ death was a demon- don’t want a God like that!

14 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol11/iss2/115 12