The Wrath of Jesus

I believe in the God of mercy, grace, and love. But I also believe that He is a God of justice, holiness, and righteous anger. The Lord reveals both mercy and wrath—mercy toward His people, and wrath toward the wicked—both in this life and, ultimately, in eternity in hell.

Even when God shows mercy to His children, He never overlooks His justice. He can forgive sinners only because Jesus took their punishment upon Himself on the cross. It is through faith in Christ that anyone can be made right with God.

The Bible gives a solemn warning to those who do not believe: they are already under God’s wrath. As Scripture says: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him” (John 3:36). And again: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Romans 1:18).

It is heartbreaking that many continue in unbelief and stubbornness of heart, unaware that they are storing up wrath for themselves—a wrath that will be poured out on the Day of Judgment:

“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed … For those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger” (Romans 2:5, 8).

It would be foolish for us to ignore God’s clear warning about what is to come: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 5:6).

The Bible even gives us a glimpse of how terrifying this judgment will be. On that day, people will cry out to the mountains and rocks: “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” (Revelation 6:16).

Today, we don’t often hear much about “the wrath of the Lamb.” Many prefer a soft, sentimental image of Jesus that leaves out the full truth. Yet the Scriptures are clear: the Lord Jesus will carry out God’s righteous judgment on the world: “Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron sceptre. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty” (Revelation 19:15).

But here is the good news: this same Lord Jesus is our only refuge from God’s righteous wrath. For those who truly believe in Him, there is full assurance and peace:

“Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him” (Romans 5:9).

Those of us trust in Jesus do not face the coming judgment with fear, but with hope: “We wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Friend, please ask yourself: On that great and final day, what will Jesus show you? Will you receive His mercy, or will you face His wrath? Will He welcome you into His arms, or will He tread you under His feet?