"The Terrible Wrath of God"

         "Also their slain shall be thrown out; their stench shall rise from

         their corpes, and the mountains shall be melted with  their blood."

                                             ISAIAH 34 : 3

         We pick up our study of Isaiah in chapter 34 where Isaiah changes the subject from the blessing of the church to the cursing of the nations. As glorious as the future will be for the people of God, it will be that much more terrible for the pagans of this world. Isaiah called all the nations to come forth and listen, as if they were being called to the tribunal of God Himself in heaven. Though Edom was singled out as a particular nstion that would receive the judgment of God this proclamation, according to John Calvin, could apply to all the surrounding nation that harassed Israel.

         The language of this prophecy is striking and terrifying. It paints in a very serious light the anger of God toward His enemies and the destruction that will certainly come upon them if they do not repent. Isaiah says that the fury of the Lord will rise up against them. He says, "their stench shall rise from their corpses, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood...."For My sword shall be bathed in heaven. The sword of the Lord is filled with blood. . . Their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust saturated with fatness.' Forit is the day of the Lord's vengeance for the cause of Zion. Its stream shall be turnef into pitch, and its dust into brimstone. Its smoke shall ascend forever. From generation it shall lie waste; no one shall pass through it forever and ever."

         One cannot read these passages without being struck by the power and horror here. Truly, it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God, though this is a doctrine that is rarely mentioned today. The days of Jonathan Edwards and his preaching on the fury and wrath of God are all but lost in today's sentimentality and presumptive grace. And yet, we only have to turn to the pages of Scripture, and not just the Old Testament, to read of God's fury being poured out against His enemies.

        Many horrible things happen i this world, and Christians often do not have answer for them. Even with the aid of Scripture, which explains that God's wrath against His enemies, we cannot explain some suffering. God's intent in allowing suffering is sometimes not clear. But we should not turn our backs on His providence and try to explain disaster away as chance. We should understand it in light of God's character, both His holiness and sovereignty.

        Do you take warning of Scripture seriously? Do you believe that God really does judge people through terrible and devastating means? Read the passages below. Remind yourself of the wrath of God, and you will have greater reverence for zhim and more motivation to call others to repent.