Thursday: “The Day of Vengeance of Our God”
Isa: 61:2
Amidst all the good news, why does the Messiah, as depicted in Isaiah 61, proclaim God’s vengeance? When is this prophecy fulfilled?
Image © Steve Creitz at Goodsalt.com
When in Nazareth, Jesus, the Messiah, read Isaiah 61 as far as “to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor” (Isa: 61:2, NRSV; Luke 4:19, NRSV). Then He stopped and said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21, NRSV). So, He deliberately and specifically avoided reading the next words in the same verse: “the day of vengeance of our God” (Isa: 61:2, NRSV). While His ministry of good news, liberty, and comfort was beginning to set captives free from Satan’s tyranny, the day of vengeance was not yet to come. In Matt: 24:1-51 (compare Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:1-38), He predicted to His disciples that divine judgments would come in the future.
Indeed, in Isaiah 61 the day of God’s vengeance is the “great and terrible day of the LORD” (Joel 2:31, NRSV; Mal: 4:5), to be fulfilled when Christ will come again to liberate Planet Earth from injustice by defeating His enemies and setting the oppressed remnant of His people free (Revelation 19:1-21; compare Daniel 2.44-45). So, although Christ announced the beginning of “the year of the LORD’s favor,” its culmination is at His second coming.
How do you reconcile the notion of a loving God with a God who also promises vengeance? Are the ideas incompatible? Or do you understand vengeance as a manifestation of that love? If so, how so? Explain your answer.
Though Jesus has told us to turn the other cheek (Matt: 5:39), elsewhere He was very clear that justice and punishment will be meted out (Matt: 8:12). Though Paul tells us not to “render evil for evil” (1 Thess: 5:15), he also said that when the Lord is revealed from heaven, with flaming fire He will take “vengeance on them that know not God” (2 Thess: 1:8).
The difference, of course, is that the Lord in His infinite wisdom and mercy can alone bring both justice and vengeance in a completely fair manner. Human justice, human vengeance, comes with all the faults, frailties, and inconsistencies of humanity. God’s justice, of course, will come with none of those limitations.
| Which of the following incidents would make you more likely to want to see vengeance returned upon someone who does evil? (1) A person who hurts someone you do not love or (2) a person who hurts someone you do love? How does this help us better understand the link between God’s love for us and the warnings of vengeance? |
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Those of you who read my comments regularly will know that some time ago I mentioned that I would study the question of "the wrath of God" and write a post dedicated to it. This post is not "it". It is a vexing question and the more I study it I realise that when we try to make sense of the wrath or vengeance of God we are left with a lot of unanswered questions. Some of the answers I have read tend to be simplistic, and while appealing, often do not stand up to scrutiny.
Here is a collection of somewhat disjointed thoughts that you can consider.
The wrath of God is mentioned about 30 times in the KJV Bible. They are about equally divided between the Old and New Testaments.
The same word is used to describe the wrath of evil powers.
It needs to be remembered that what ever the wrath of God means, God is long suffering and not willing that any should perish. That sets a comforting ultimate limit on exercising any "wrath".
We have had a long running discussion on the issue of whether sin destroys itself or whether God steps in and destroys wickedness himself. I am not a theological gymnast and while I can see the arguments on both sides, I remain unconvinced that we have the final answer.
Paul wrote:
I suspect that is more an instruction to not give way to our own vengeance and leave whatever response is appropriate to God.
I am mindful of the notion that the Hebrew court system had a high element of restoration of that which had been taken away. I wonder if that idea should temper our notion of the wrath of God.
I am sorry that I cannot provide a nice neat answer to those who find solace in short definitive answers, but these somewhat disjointed thoughts are what I have in my head at the moment and will come up in a discussion I have with my learned theological friends when they are less busy. (The academic year has just started and they don't want to be pestered by an amateur theologian, just because he writes on a blog. {grin}) I hope that I have given you something to think about and even if we have to accept that there is no really definitive answer that will blow the minds of the skeptics, hopefully we will learn something that will help us on our journey.
Brother Ashton, thank you for your commentary. I use your commentary as part of my presentation in teaching Virtual Sabbath School at Scenic Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church, San Antonio, Texas 78250 (www.scenichills.org). The issue of "vengeance" and "wrath" of God is one that i think troubles and confuses many Christians. Historically, i think, the teaching of THE LORD having as part of His character vengeance and/or wrath has confused many Christians when it is taught that THE LORD has this character trait which is directed at human beings or other members of His Creation. I think that this is a mistaken theology. THE LORD (God) IS LOVE. He Loves ALL His Creation. Eternally. Unconditionally. Any vengeance/wrath of THE LORD is 100% directed at sin. sin is antithesis of THE LORD. That is what I believe, what I teach and what I focus. I recommend this weeks post from "Hope Sabbath School" which as an excellent discussion of this subject. I Hope and Pray that all Christians experience The Love of THE LORD. THE LORD is LOVE. Jesus Christ, the son of THE LORD, died to atone for the sin of all Creation. All Creation is Assured of Eternal Life in the New Earth. Amen
Thank you Mark. I like your contribution to the issue of wrath and vengeance too. The notion that it is directed towards sin rather than sinners is an important distinction.
When people refuse to repent of their sin, there will come a time that God's wrath and vengeance will be directed at the wicked and unrepentant sinners. It's not for us to take vengeance against injustice; that's what God will do Himself, from the blood of Abel all the way to last martyr. That's what He does in the book of Revelation.
We do have the final answer don't we? From the beginning of history on this earth the means of safety has been shown, along with the adequate warning that God will remove sin(and all who insist on clinging to it) and purify/restore the dominion to it's sinless perfection. Before any building is demolished time is allowed to notify all occupants, with time and help to find safety. For 120 years this notice was served via faithful Noah and his family. God has given warning to every generation and individual(see John 16:8-11), and we are given the privilege to warn the world while offering Hope in Christ, if in fact we have found it ourselves.
The sinner chooses destruction, but only God can bring that cleansing restoration of this earth which will destroy any who remain in rebellion. As the Sovereign who "so loved the world that He gave..." an infinite ransom, He can do no less. Would love allow sin/death to remain and torment/destroy the meek?
While some might question the "love and mercy" of One who raises those already dead back to life in order to execute the final cleansing of sin, even their voices are needed to either protest or acknowledge God's actions in all He has done. Prophecy reveals no protest will be heard. Keep in mind that "every work will be brought into judgment, and every secret thing...", along with "every idle word"(Eccl 12:13,14, Matt 12:36,37). With this evidence presented for all to see, who will protest? This must be done to settle the whole issue once and for all time.
Before we try and understand the great and terrible day of the LORD we have to admit that it is a biblical fact and not try and explain it away as some do.
It is clearly linked to judgment and the Second Coming of the LORD.
There is a separation between the believers and unbelievers, who are destroyed completely, while the believers spend eternity with the LORD and all the saved declare His judgments just and true and righteous.
See also: 1Thess 5:1-11; 2Peter 3:18-13; Mal 4:1-6; Zeph 1:7-18; Rev 19 & 20
See also Christ words. Matthew 24:44.
With all of these scripture references we must add John 16:8-11. No one will face the day of vengeance that didn't receive adequate warning of the cost of rebellion, that they were in rebellion, and where to find the Remedy.
Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature...
2 Corin 5:17
“The Day of Vengeance of Our God”
In the bible which begins in Genesis-Revelation we encountered two sets of people. Throughout all generations we encountered two sets of people. The good and the bad. Many can't rap their minds around this two sets/group of people idea. One, the good group is walking with the Lord, who is their Creator and sustainer of all things, and the other set/group who is evil is walking with his enemy/Satan, the great deceiver.
The same way we cant understand or comprehend how sin had brought our Creator to earth to die for humans, the same way we cant understand whether it is our sins that will ultimately destroy us, or if Jesus will. Why does parents use harsh discipline towards their children who the love?
To understand this destruction of sins in humans thing, to me, we have to first understand the role of angels in the bible. What do angels do on this earth which is vast. What are they guarding us from and against? The Lord said to Moses an angel will go with you, do not tempt him cause he cant save you. Did Moses saw that angel every time and everywhere? Ex 23:20-23. To John he said several things about angels, but Rev 7:1 talks about angels holding back the winds so another angel can rescue humans before they are destroy. To me, when the Lord remove his angels who do his bidding, Satan takes over and does Satan bidding- to destroy and kill.
There is nothing good about human being. People fool themselves in believing that they are good. Humans live their whole lives by deceiving and being deceived.
The lesson asked a question
"How do you reconcile the notion of a loving God with a God who also promises vengeance? Are the ideas incompatible? Or do you understand vengeance as a manifestation of that love? If so, how so"?
Eze 33:11 tells us God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked and Eze 18:20 say the soul who sins is the one who will die
Gods vengeance on the wicked is but JUST. It is indeed a manifestation of His love. He has given us ample time to repent and it is not His desire that any should perish but all should come to repentance despite the magnitude, weightiness of our sins.
More so, the soul who sin without repentance will die bringing judgment on him/herself. And it will be just on the part of the offended that she/he is avenged the evil done to them.
Ask yourself this: If your attached garage was on fire at 2:00 AM, would you want your neighbor to disturb your sleep with a phone call to warn you of your danger? Would you consider this bad or good?
The day of God's vengeance has been appointed and this message will soon go out in the 3rd angel's message to the world as a final warning to seek shelter(Zeph 2:3).
SSQ: "How do you reconcile the notion of a loving God with a God who also promises vengeance?"
Would you kill a vicious rabid wolf that was about to attack your little children in order to protect them? Would your friends consider you evil for doing so? What would they think of you if you thought it would be evil to kill another creature, good or bad, so you left the rabid wolf alone and it killed your children? Would they see you as kind and benevolent if you allowed such a thing? God is Sovereign, and has promised that sin will be vanquished for good, and that there will be no more evil in all of creation.
For the final question today:
Are we to seek vengeance, as our fallen nature understands it, or should we desire justice according to Truth? This will answer both questions won't it? It is a loving God who warns the wicked while offering them salvation. Also, God has counseled us to "fret not" over evildoers. Vengeance belongs to God alone, who is just in all He does(Rev 15:3).
For human thought it is impossible to unite concepts such as revenge and love. However, in the Divine case it is totally different from human perception. God is perfect, just, full of love and mercy, these characteristics make us see that expressions of love and revenge are characteristics of God's justice. God's justice once given will allow humanity to recognize that God acted in the right way.
Those who choose evil, may receive evil back, someday. God is always there to accept us when we fall, but some just voluntarily choose not to. As a God of justice, we all shall receive what our choices take us. May we choose Love today!
Maurice,
You tackled this question very well. Every time I want justice for what ever reason, I'm throttled back by the safety valve of, "justice is Mine says the Lord".
Might the two ideas of "The year of the LORD's favor" and "The day of Vengeance of Our GOD" stand in comparative contrast. "The LORD's favor" being the life in the Spirit of Love of the LORD and His Word to us. A life of growing light giving love to a needing world.
" The day of Vengeance of Our GOD" being the daily misery of earthly existence of pride and the lusts of the flesh and eye. The eternal torment that exists every day for those who can see evidence of GOD as Creator but daily make the choice to worship the creatures of their own imaginations. These thoughts are based on Romans 1.
God loves us with an everlasting deep abiding love. There’s nothing He hasn’t done to give humanity an advantage over sin.
In Heaven there isn’t one being who is not involved in the activity of saving humanity from choosing to separate from God.
Angels are active, fighting for us against evil angels who would influence us. They are actively protecting us, taking messages up and bringing to us messages of hope, belonging and love from above.
Jesus, God’s Own Son has loved, suffered long, instructed, given up His omnipresence to become One with us. He Who is life, ultimately died so His righteous would cover us despite our birthright of sin. He gives us His very own Spirit, Whom He breathed upon His disciples in the room before His ascension.
According to the scriptures, destruction was not meant for humanity. There are those who will choose it over the life giving option God presents in the plan of salvation.
Matthew 25:41 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
Those who reject God’s offer, who choose to harm will be consumed in the process of cleansing the earth.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
“Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”
Here’s the reference for Jesus breathing upon His disciples and instructing them to receive the Holy Spirit...
John 20:21
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
and when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:’
If I understand the Son of God to be the perfect Image of God the Father, I would have to conclude that the word translated – vengeance - to express the ending of this dispensation is unfortunate. I do not believe that vengeance is compatible with God’s Nature. He is sovereign, He is almighty, He is omnipotent and omnipresent – He does not have an enemy against which He would manifest, on emotion based, vengeance; especially not against the children made by Him in His Image.
"And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it GRIEVED Him at His heart."- Gen.6:6KJV. Yes, He destroyed the first inhabitants of the earth because of their wickedness, but Noah’s Thanksgiving moved God’s heart to conclude that He would ”not curse the ground again for man’s sake; though the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth...”– Gen.8:21KJV.
Why not just acknowledge that God’s Salvation for His children on earth will come to an end at an appointed time? Salvation is the focus of Christ’s statement when He refers to Isa.61:2KJV: He came “to preach the acceptable year of the Lord - Salvation - Luke 4:19KJV. Salvation is the focus of Christ Jesus’ mission; bringing Heaven’s Good News to mankind that there is a God in Heaven who cares about His children because He loves them and has provided the *Way of Life* for them.
Christ Jesus, our Savior is the embodiment of God’s Son, the perfect Image of God the Father living among man. I do not believe there is vengeance or condemnation in either the Son or the Father – loving Justice, Mercy and Grace are the components of their Will! They recognize we all are fallen creatures trapped in iniquity in this body of flesh, and Christ Jesus prepared the way out of the present darkness to enter His perfect Light of Life. He encourages all to believe, to engage our faith to live our Life according to His Light – walking in the Light of Forgiveness as we have been forgiven by the Father through the Son.
His Righteousness is to become our new nature and vengeance has no place in it!
God loves His fallen children! I see the final settling of the issues of iniquity to take place in the spiritual realm where sin is born. The score to be settled is with God’s adversary not His children. Therefore, I find the question at the end of the lesson offensive. God does not show emotional based partiality; His Will is based on perfect rigteousness and we should not look at its execution as the example suggests.
God loves the sinner and the saint – He gave His Life for the sinner to direct him to the Light of Life; the saint is already blessed with living the Life of Light in Him! Praise God for His Mercy and Grace – Amen!
God loves all earthlings.
Because He loves them, He hates anything that destroys them.
Those who remain inflictors of pain, suffering, and destruction, refusing the healing power of God's love for them, will finally be identified with their destructive behavior.
In mercy for the redeemed, those who never forsook their destructive ways for God's healing love and peace, will be destroyed themselves (with all the weeping and gnashing of teeth foretold).
For the finally impenitent, even the presence of God is hell. They will fully understand how grieved God is by their lack of compassion for those who needed their mercy. He takes the harm they have caused or allowed very personally, as if done to Himself (Matthew 25:45-46). Yet, in mercy even to them, they will be allowed to escape from the agony His eternal presence, as His devouring flame consumes them away into smoke and ash.
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is very instructive as to the nature of heaven and hell. The flames were to the three worthy Hebrews the very liberating presence of God, consuming only the bonds which had held them; but to the wicked who tried to destroy these faithful servants of God, the flames were a consuming fire (Isaiah 33:14-15; Hebrews 12:29). They were all in the same environment, but in that trial by flame the difference was seen between the righteous and the wicked (Malachi 3:18ff). We will all come face to face with the Consuming Fire, our God. For some it will be life and health. For some it will be agony and destruction.
Arnet – thank you for your comment. Yes, sinners and saints ultimately receive justice from their Maker, but it grieves the loving Father to see the living soul, His child, perish due to sin. He does not relish vengeance, it is disobedience's established outcome!
As you noticed in my comment, I believe that the final settling of the ‘score between good and evil’ is done between Him, Lucifer and his cohorts. It was angelic disobedience to the expressed Will of God by one of the highest ranked angels assigned to protect and guide man which deceived man into believing a lie. God does not hold man accountable for this act which Lucifer committed; He is sorry for man to have fallen from His Grace.
Unsuspecting man’s iniquity came about due to the deception perpetrated upon him by Lucifer, God’s Angel of Light asigned to benefit mankind after the Will of God. Man was not equipped to stand up against this strong angel’s deception – in like manner he also attempted to deceive and lead astray the Savior, Christ Jesus. It will be him, his followers from the angelic realm, and the ones not strong enough to resist his temptations which will come to their end in the final judgement, and with them all iniquity and resulting sin.
I believe that all fellow man deserves to be treated with compassion no matter the sin committed. Look at Christ asking the Father to forgive those who condemned Him to death 'because they do not know what they are doing'; they live in darkness of spirit! It is right to forgive the sinner who expresses his guilt from a contrite heart - light has shone into his heart. But we are also called to forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness and extend our sorrow and prayer to those who cannot hear the Truth and see the Light.
We are all born in sin and therefore come short of the Glory of God. God's Glory is His Nature of Righteousness which man was blessed with before the Fall; man was made in the Father’s Image. Now, because of Christ’s work on behalf of mankind, the Father’s nature is again available for man to help lighten his path through life and so reflect the Glory of God.
God’s Love gave fallen man a choice as he was still in this body of his iniquity; now it is his choice to receive this nature which expresses the Father’s Righteousness again or continue to walk in his own light.
The Father’s Righteousness covers the faithful as he lives his life in Christ by faith in the Power of the Living Word. If Christ had failed to overcome the temptation which Adam could not stand up against, we would not have a new life offered to us!
So, and only so, did we escape destruction – by His Love and Faith! This fact should humble every saint and sinner and cause us to be understanding and compassionate toward all man.
The day of vengeance is to comfort those who mourn, to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy.. Good news!
Vengeance is mine, says the Lord…Good news!
My ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts! …Good news!
Even in Eden, God’s response to the rebellion of humanity was to search them out, cover them, give them promises of restoration. What kind of vengeance is that? He accepted the responsibility for our salvation, even giving Himself as a sacrifice. What Love!
Human vengeance is revenge often motivated by anger and disgust. God’s vengeance is motivated by His character, Love. Good news!
Is 27:4-5
I have no wrath.Should someone give Me briars and thorns in battle, Then I would step on them, I would burn them completely. Or let him rely on My protection,
Let him make peace with Me,
Let him make peace with Me.
Is He a loving God, you bet ya. Can he also be a God of vengeance and wrath. You be ya, when He finds it necessary.
My thoughts reguarding today's lesson and questions it brings, are that the important issue to answer is have I turned over my desires for vengeance to God, putting them in His hands completely? Thus trust in Him as a loving God, long suffering, with vengeance when needed, and a perfect character, is at its highest. Now what does putting the matter in His hands do? It keeps my promise to Him "for Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."
Now whether He is a loving God or not is all in His hands. Have I washed my hands of the matter? No I put my hands in the hands of the man who stills the waters, and in His/our Father.
To me this is the answer to the love of God and the wrath of God. However simple minded, I find peace in it.
Isaiah says: Isaiah 26:3-4. I find peace if my mind is stayed on God. I shall not forget the rest of the message. This all comes about because I have put my trust in God.
Further study I found the text that goes with the phrase in my head. "Vengeance is Mine" thought I would share it.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19 KJV
It is good to compare another translation. I never forget Elder Vandamen saying Darby translation is His favorite.
not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19 DARBY
Because God is love He MUST bring an end to sin. How that happens can be seen as violent, however, it needs to be seen as a consequence. God is holy and sin cannot stand in the presence of a Holy God. (That’s why we need Jesus Christ). God does not wish to bring destruction, He is not willing that any should perish - but He is who He is! Scripture defines Him as a consuming fire so when sin comes into His presence there is a natural consequence - the day of “vengeance” when sin is eradicated forever.
The bias of Bible translators will affect their work. If they think of God as being a vengeful vindictive god, then they will read that into God’s character in their translation. There are several Hebrew words that are translated as “wrath”, one of which can mean passionate (Strong’s H639). Koine Greek is similar, for example, Strong’s 3709, from which the English word “orgy” is derived.
There are definitely times when God in both the Hebrew and Christian testaments is described as being angry, but I think we need to understand that all of God’s emotional responses are founded primarily on his love. His thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways. So this love is not just tender and sentimental. His love of necessity in this sinful world often has to take very difficult actions to hold people accountable for their actions to prevent harm to others.
Nevertheless, we must always understand that God sent his son Jesus to this world knowing that he would die for the sake of everyone, even very bad people. The Father paid a huge price in this act to redeem even the worst of us. And when we choose actions that lead to death (both ours and others), God is passionate about it—even very angry about it—because of the terrible price he paid to redeem us. But in the end, he must honour our choices—because the essence of his character is eternal and everlasting love—even if it breaks his heart.
Just a thought.
The acceptable year of the Lord is the time in which repentance is possible, in the case of the nation and remnant it continues into the tribulation period where they can still believe the Gospel of the Kingdom. The day of vengeance is once that period has expired and rightoues judgement takes place at the Lords return.