THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT
“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and all injustice of men who unjustly hold truth captive. “(Romans 1:18)
“God manifests his anger from heaven on every sin and evil committed by men who, by their evil deeds, prevent the truth from working. “
You may remember how Romans 1:19,20 speaks of God revealing Himself by nature. Verse 18 tells us that there is something else “revealed” by God: it is his wrath. This anger is produced by the sins of men. Some, of course, hardly admit that God can be angry. They don’t see, don’t perceive, this anger in the present tense. But, in Romans chapter 2, Paul explains that there will be a “righteous judgment of God” where his anger and judgment will be fully manifested. Until that day, the wrath of God is “gathered up” (Romans 2: 5).
“The day of judgment”
Most of God’s prophets have given the same warning. Jesus often spoke of the “day of judgment” (Matthew 11.22,24; 12.36…). He often spoke of the fire that does not go out, of the suffering of hell (Matthew 5: 22,29; 25,41,46; Mark 9: 43–49). In fact, whenever the New Testament talks about hell (with the exception of James 3.6), it is Jesus who talks about it. He knew that terrible retribution awaits those who live in sin. That is why he addresses such severe warnings even to his disciples.
“I tell you, my friends: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and who after that can do nothing more. I’ll show you who to fear. Fear the one who, after having killed, has the power to throw into Gehenna, yes, I tell you, it is he whom you must fear. “(Luke 12.4,5)
Jesus will take part in the judgment (John 5: 22, 27; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
“Because he has appointed a day when he will judge the world with righteousness, by a man whom he has appointed, and he has given reliable proof to all of them by raising him from the dead. “(Acts 17:31)
FC: “He has indeed set a day when he will judge the whole world with justice, by a man he has appointed. He gave proof of this to all by bringing this man from death back to life! “
How can we have proof that the judgment will take place? This verse tells us that this proof is the resurrection of Christ. Many witnesses saw Jesus alive after his death. His victory over death is well known and proves that death is not the end. All men will one day be resurrected (John 5:29). Men will meet God and will have to answer to him.
Why is God angry
By carefully rereading Romans chapter 1 we find the reasons for the wrath of God:
“They are therefore inexcusable, since, having known God, they did not glorify him as God and did not give thanks to him …” (1.21)
“And they replaced the glory of the incorruptible God with images of corruptible man, birds, quadrupeds and reptiles. “(1.23)
“They who replaced the truth of God with a lie and who worshiped and served the creature instead of the Creator, who is blessed eternally. “(1.25)
Romans 1.23, 25: “Instead of worshiping the glory of the immortal God, they worshiped images of mortal man, birds, four-legged animals, and reptiles…
They exchange the truth about God for the lie; they worship and serve what God created instead of the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever… ”
Human beings give the place of God to things created by God. The things which should help us to know and honor God (1.20) are used against the knowledge and honor of God.
Men try to hold the truth about God captive (1.18). They turn away from the truth of God and accept the lie (1.25)
