The Wrath of God

God's Great Patience

Paul J. Bucknell

Knowing God Series Index

Purpose: God has a special and wonderful purpose for delaying His judgment. He displays His wonderful love against the backdrop of the dark judgment. The more we understand God's zealous anger seeking satisfaction, the more we can appreciate His patience.

God's great patience

Why does God delay releasing His mighty wave of wrath? People sometimes deride God because of His delay of judgment. It can make Him look weak, uninvolved or even nonexistent to unbelieving eyes.

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation" (2 Peter 3:3-4).

God clearly regulates His anger. Where man's anger might get out of control, God's does not. He by nature is ‘slow to anger.' "The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression..." (Nu 14:18).

Patience exercised from strength

Instead of revealing weakness, we discover that God's patience allows Him to seek opportunity to divert His burst of wrath upon our fragile natures. And so, being patient, that somehow we might discover and find refuge in His mercy.

"But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (1 Peter 3:7-9).

Making most of this lull, we are wise to repent from our sins, turn to Jesus Christ for refuge and live holy lives. If we can grasp the implications of the end of time where Christ will return to judge all sin in the fury of His wrath, we might call on His Name to be saved.

"The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:7-8).

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