The Wrath of God Revealed

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them." (Rom. 1: 18-19 nkjv)

Where and how is "the wrath of God revealed from heaven"? We know that God's revelation of wrath against unrighteousness and ungodliness reveals that he is righteous and just.

All Born Under Wrath

Everyone is born into the world under the wrath of God. Paul says that even believers "were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." (Eph. 2: 3 nkjv) They were born in sin and under wrath. (See also Psa. 51: 5) Yet, when they believe in Christ, they are no longer under wrath. Thankfully, there is a promise of salvation from death and divine wrath for believers. Said the Lord Jesus Christ:

"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.” (John 3: 36 nkjv)

Every unbeliever, every lost sinner, is under God's wrath until the blood of Christ is applied to him. The blood brings cleansing and remission of sins. (Heb. 9: 22) Paul says of every believer in Jesus: "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thess. 5: 9 nkjv) He also said: "...having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Rom. 5: 9 nkjv)

Wrath Revealed From Heaven via Sodom

Most people familiar with the Bible would perhaps say God's wrath was "revealed from heaven" by his destroying the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and that is true. So we read:

"...like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath." (Deut. 29: 23 nkjv)

"Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven." (Gen. 19: 24 kjv)

The apostle Peter says that the destruction of Sodom and her sister cities were examples of God's wrath being revealed from heaven, saying:

"and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly" (II Peter 2: 6 nkjv).

The story of the destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah, and their several sister cities became widely reported in the world, and even today is known by millions, perhaps billions, of people. In that destruction there is a revelation from heaven of God's wrath against sin.

Wrath On The Egyptians

In the terrible destruction that Lord God brought upon the wicked Egyptians via the ten horrific plagues we see his wrath against injustice and wickedness on full display. So Moses wrote this song of the redeemed when seeing their cruel enslavers drowned in the Red Sea:

“Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces. And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble." (Exo. 15: 6-7 nkjv)

The story of Egypt's destruction was told everywhere so that it became a well known event in many parts of the world. Rahab, a resident of Jericho, when she spoke with the spies of Israel said: "For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt...And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." (Joshua 2: 10-11)

So, we see where God's wrath was revealed from heaven by the ten plagues of judgment upon the Egyptians for their sins.

Wrath on Israel for their Rebellion

We see how God's own redeemed people, with few exceptions, rebelled against him after the Exodus, during their wilderness journey to the promised land, so that the Lord therefore "cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them." (Psa. 78: 49 nkjv) His wrath was clearly revealed from heaven then. Wrote the prophet Zechariah:

“But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. “Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts." (Zech. 7: 11-12 nkjv)

Wrote the prophet David of this wrath poured out upon the rebellious people in the wilderness:

"Therefore the Lord heard this and was furious; So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel, Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation....So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel...But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, And did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, And did not stir up all His wrath." (Psa. 78: 21-22, 29-31, 38 nkjv)

Later we read of the covetousness of Achan and others that brought on their disobedience to Yahweh and how Yahweh poured upon the nation the fury of his wrath.

"‘Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.’ ” (Jos. 22: 20 nkjv)

The incident Joshua refers to is in chapter seven and is described as follows:

"But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel...who is taken with the accursed thing shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’ ” (Joshua 7: 1, 15)

We could also mention the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in Numbers chapter 16 and how God's wrath was openly revealed by a terrible punishment. Notice the divine record of this display of God's wrath:

"Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, "Lest the earth swallow us up also!" And a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense." (Numb. 16: 31-35 nkjv)

But, though these events surely revealed God's wrath against sin and unrighteousness, these are not what Paul has chiefly in mind in Romans chapter one when he speaks of God's wrath being revealed from heaven. The Greek word from which we get "is revealed" is apokalyptetai and is a linear present tense verb, and may be translated as "is being revealed," meaning that the revelation of God's wrath has been, is, and will continue. 

Wrath Revealed In Consequences of Man's Depravity

However, there are other ways in which God's wrath is revealed from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of people. However, I don't think that this is what the apostle has foremost in his mind. I think Meyer's commentary rightly observes (highlighting mine):

"But what revelation of divine wrath is meant? Paul himself supplies the information in Romans 1:24 ff., in which is described what God in His sufficiently well-grounded (Romans 1:19-23) wrath did (παρέδωκεν αὐτούς). God’s wrath therefore is revealed from heaven in this way, that those who are the objects of it are given up by God to terrible retribution in unchastity and all vice."

God's wrath against man's wickedness is revealed "because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them" (vs. 18), the "it" includes God's wrath, righteousness, justice, and holiness, as well as God's "eternal power and Godhead" or "invisible attributes" (vs. 20). Many of God's attributes are revealed in nature and providence. His goodness is revealed or is borne "witness" to, "in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14: 17 nklv). 

God's wrath against man's immorality is revealed in the fact that his judgment and wrath against sin and sinners has made men more incorrigible. God's wrath against their sin has had these adverse effects:

-- "became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (vs. 21)

-- "God gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts" (vs. 24)

-- "they became fools" (vs. 22)

-- "God gave them up to vile passions" (vs. 26)

-- "God gave them over to a debased mind" (vs. 28)

Notice also verse 27 that helps to show that this is the correct way that God's wrath is continuously revealed among men. It reads as follows:

"Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due."

The above named penalty for the sin of homosexuality and other kinds of immoral sexual acts is that 1) they "receive in themselves" that penalty, whatever it is, and 2) this "error" of theirs is "due," or "fitting," or necessary and appropriate. Also, the word "receiving" is a present tense participle in the active voice, which means that the depraved ones mentioned are active in receiving the divine penalty and that the receiving is continuous, like the revelation of God's wrath, as we previously noted. So, what is the "penalty" that homosexuals receive as a result of their abominable sins?

Very few commentators want to answer this question, and just leave their commentaries void of any answer to this question. Barnes in his famous commentary gives the right interpretation I believe (emphasis mine):

"And receiving in themselves ... - The meaning of this doubtless is, that the effect of such base and unnatural passions was, to enfeeble the body, to produce premature old age, disease, decay, and an early death. That this is the effect of the indulgence of licentious passions, is amply proved by the history of man. The despots who practice polygamy, and keep harems in the East, are commonly superannuated at forty years of age; and it is well known, even in Christian countries, that the effect of licentious indulgence is to break down and destroy the constitution. How much more might this be expected to follow the practice of the vice specified in the verse under examination! God has marked the indulgence of licentious passions with his frown. Since the time of the Romans and the Greeks, as if there had not been sufficient restraints before, he has originated a new disease, which is one of the most loathsome and distressing which has ever afflicted man, and which has swept off millions of victims. But the effect on the body was not all. It tended to debase the mind; to sink man below the level of the brute; to destroy the sensibility; and to "sear the conscience as with a hot iron." The last remnant of reason and conscience, it would seem, must be extinguished in those who would indulge in this unnatural and degrading vice."

The "new disease" of which he speaks I believe is syphilis. Barnes perhaps alludes to the epidemic and devastation (late 1400s - 1800s) that resulted from this disease in that period and was called "The Great Pox." After appearing in Europe around 1495, syphilis spread rapidly, causing grotesque skin sores, bone decay, and neurological damage, often leading to a prolonged, agonizing death. (AI) We could write much about the history of this disease. But, it is not the only disease that results from such immoral sex acts. In the 1980s HIV became a killer and killed many homosexuals, and sadly, even innocent people contacted that disease by blood transfusions and other ways.

What is sad is the fact that the discovery of antibiotics for many of these diseases has not only done good in treating men who have have those diseases but it has had the sad effect of making men more willing to do those wicked acts. So, the penalty is what Barnes said. Many acts of disobedience to God's laws and regulations bring harm to a person's body, and to his soul, mind, and spirit too. Transgression is not good for your mental health, body health, or the health of your soul and spirit. We should keep in mind the word of God to Israel:

“If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” (Exo. 15: 26 nkjv)

Transgression is bad for your health, physically and spiritually, temporally and eternally, perhaps. Does this truth give us authority to say that everyone who has a disease has it because of some particular sin? No. There are often exceptions to what is generally the case. Still, it pays to serve God and to not do anything to incur his wrath. To a man who the Lord healed of paralysis Jesus warned, saying “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” (John 5: 14 nkjv) Here Jesus connected sin with being made ill. So too did James the Lord's brother in these words:

"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." (James 5: 14-15 nkjv)

Some sicknesses may be penalties for sins committed and so James says "if he has committed sins," meaning any sins that may have brought on the sickness, he will be both healed and forgiven, a double cure.

But, we also see God's wrath and condemnation against ungodliness and sin in the death of all things. We cannot exclude death from the ways in which God's wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness is continuously being revealed from heaven (and from him who rules in heaven). 

Wrath Revealed in Death

The dying of all things reveals God's wrath.

First, we must say that God's wrath is revealed in death. The fact that men, animals, and every living thing dies, is dying, and will continue to die is proof of God's wrath against sin and of his condemnation of all. The fact that everything is decaying and waxing old (what we call corruption) reveals the wrath of God. The psalm of Moses speaks of this truth.

"7 For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified. 8 You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. 9 For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. 10 The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath." (Psa. 90: 8-11 nkjv)

Death is a punishment for sin and manifests God's hatred of sin and his love for righteousness. All the death and decay we see in the world is a revelation of God's wrath. Notice the words of this old Christian song:

1. Hail! ye sighing sons of sorrow,

Learn from me your certain doom;

Learn from me your fate tomorrow,

Dead, perhaps laid in your tomb!

See all nature fading, dying!

Silent all things seem to pine;

Life from vegetation flying,

Brings to mind the moldering vine.

Though Christians have been saved from wrath, why then do they die? If death is the penalty for being under God's wrath, then why do Christians die? The Heidelberg Catechism asks the same question: “Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?” (Q. 42). Its answer: “Our death does not pay the debt of our sins. Rather it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into life.” 

Nearly all Christian apologists will say that for the Christian physical death is not a penalty. God has other reasons for Christians dying (although those who are alive when Christ returns will be transformed in body without dying). We could say much about this, but it would lengthen this article even more, and we try for brevity, even if it is hard to do at times, and perhaps will write upon it some time later.