H. Richard Niebuhr warns about those who preach "a God without wrath (who) brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministration of a Christ without a cross." Paul reminds the believers in 1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10, "how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." Note five things related to the wrath of God.

First, the fact of the wrath of God. Romans 1:18 reads, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness."

Second, the fear of the wrath of God. Jesus teaches the fear of God in Luke 12:4-5, "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" David Jeremiah, shares, "Some of you have been among those who have said, 'Well, my god would never do that. My god would never send anybody to hell. My god would never judge anybody. My god is a god of love.' And when people say that to me, I have learned how to respond. I just tell them, 'You are right, your god wouldn't do that because your god doesn't exist.'"

Third, the fierceness of the wrath of God. Revelation 16:19b reads, "And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." The fall of Babylon demonstrates the fierceness of the wrath of God during the Great Tribulation.

Fourth, the foundation of the wrath of God. The wrath of God is not an arbitrary expression of anger, it is a divine attribute revealing His justice, righteousness, and holiness. Hebrews 1:9 reads, "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness." This demonstrates the perfect balance of the character of God.

Fifth, the function of the wrath of God. Someone explains, "The wrath of God functions as a divine expression of holiness and justice against sin, acting as both a punishment for wrongdoing and a warning of the consequences of unrepentant behavior. It's a response to human actions that violate God's law and principles, demonstrating His commitment to maintaining righteousness and order in the universe." Romans 2:5 reads, "But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."

John 3:36 reads, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Flee the wrath to come.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.