Jesus – the Lord of vengeance

Often we think of Jesus as merciful and rightfully so. Because he took upon himself the sins of the world. He is the Son of God who gives us real salvation.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)

However there’s another side to this. Jesus is also the Lord of vengeance. Because where there is injustice there follow the judgements from God. For though God is merciful he is also holy. Due his holiness God won’t forever stay his sword of judgement. Jesus is not  trigger happy. He does give time for people to repent but if they keep ignoring the call to holiness then he can and will execute justice.

Let’s read Nahum 1: 2-6 which says;

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.

The above verses do show the strong vengeance of God. Notice this wrath is directed to the enemies of God. These verses also show God is slow to anger. Jesus will always do things as per God’s will. So when he is asked by God to judge the wicked you know well that he won’t refuse his Father in heaven.

Happy are those whom God lavishes his love on! The love of God and the wrath of God are both very intense in their workings.  God’s love and mercy made Noah and his family escape the Lord’s judgement by flood on the rest of the world. The love which comes from Christ changed Saul the murderer of Christian’s into Paul the Apostle who then led many to Jesus. While the wrath of God brought down death and worms on Herod who tried to exalt himself a human to the level of being called a god. God’s anger cast down the rebellious angels including Satan from heaven to hell, who all have a limited time before the Final Judgement.

Don’t just limit this as a warning to the church as the warning is for the whole world. Jesus is coming again to judge the world because they have loved the darkness and despised the light. He will take account of every wicked thing that ungodly men and women have spoken against God and heaven.

Here’s what Revelation 19:11-21 says about Jesus;

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Here are a few verses on the Lord’s vengeance on sinners :

– For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the bloodshed on it, and will no more cover its slain. (Isaiah 26:21)

– For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs. (Psalm 75:8)

– For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” (Hebrews 10:30)

Now take heart if you have sinned but are willing to forsake your wicked ways. Because Jesus takes away the sins of those who repent and believe in the Gospel. For he came to take on himself the just wrath of God for our sins. Those with faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ have nothing to fear. It’s those who refuse to leave sin and unbelief who are to fear the Lord Jesus at the Final Judgment. Now a word of warning for all Christians; the Lord knows who really believes in Him and those who don’t trust but are hypocrites. So value the righteousness of Jesus and keep trusting in him and never waste your time in pleasing the world.

Remember that those who abide in Christ are safe from God’s judgment including the Final Judgment which is an eternal one. Those who believe in the Lord Jesus are not appointed for wrath from God.

Here are a few scriptures to reflect on:

– Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36)

– Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24)

– If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (John 15:6)

– For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

– By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

I now end this reflection on Jesus our Lord, with the following verses:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3–5)