Scripture reveals a God of wrath and joy. He is angry with sin but also delighted with His redeemed people.
Today’s reading: Zephaniah 1-3; Revelation 15
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:16-17
1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. Revelation 15:1
The prophet Zephaniah described the anger of God against all the sin and corruption of, not only Judah but, all the nations of the world. He warns of the coming of the day of God’s wrath. That day would come and the judgment would be complete. Is there no escape? Yes, there is a hope for those who humble themselves before the Lord.
John’s vision in Revelation confirms that the wrath of God does have an end point. There would be seven plagues applied to the earth by seven angels. We are then told that the seven plagues, “are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.”
Finished. That is a good word to hear. Zephaniah has given us a beautiful picture of the delight which God has in His own. Several phrases show the completeness of His care and describe His presence (in your midst), His power (mighty one who will save), His joy (He will rejoice over you… exult over you with loud singing).
If we are to be biblical in our understanding of God we must grasp these realities of His being. He is absolutely holy and will not let the wicked go unpunished. He is also a God of love and mercy and will save all who come to Him in faith through His Son, the Lamb of God, who took away the sin of the world.
Be sure your understanding of God is accurate. Know Him in truth as He has revealed Himself in His Word. His attributes include His wrath and His joy.
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