Why God's Wrath is Good 

Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 1. 34:53 I love your ministry, and I’m so excited about the app. Is it worldwide? Also, can you explain the vision in Ezekiel 1? I know it’s Heaven, but the creatures and everything confuse me. 2. 36:18 Does God “hate the sinner”? (Psalm 11: 5) 3. 38:25 How do Jehovah’s Witnesses respond to Hebrews 1: 8? 4. 39:46 How is it that a non-believing husband or wife is sanctified by the believing husband or wife? Also, why is a pastor or shepherd held to a higher standard or judged more strictly? 5. 41:43 If believers are not appointed to wrath, will we be here for the Tribulation? 6. 42:54 How would you help someone see the error in thinking that Jesus was merely a human in right relationship with God when He lived and performed miracles, and wasn’t God Himself? 7. 44:16 Can you help me work through Acts 13: 48? What is your understanding of “appointed to eternal life”? 8. 47:53 Can a vegan argue for animal rights, from a biblical perspective? 9. 49:39 If a pastor will not meet with you to reconcile after a theological disagreement, how would you proceed? 10. 50:46 Is God angry with “prosperity gospel” preachers? 11. 52:17 What is your take on the severity of holding to the “oneness doctrine”? 12. 53:58 Can you help me understand why the Bible tells us not to enforce the death penalty today? It seems like the penalty for sin has changed. 13. 55:50 What do you say to the claim that eternal condemnation constitutes God’s love having a built-in time limit, and that upon death, God’s love turns into everlasting hatred for the damned?

The topic of God's wrath used to confuse me so much. I would just try to avoid thinking about it and it bothered me. A few years ago I learned the truth behind it and it was sooo liberating. I remember the feeling of realizing: "now I can embrace ALL of who God is and don't have to avoid learning and thinking about His wrath!" I pray this video would free many people in the same way. God is Holy and Just. And so merciful! ❤️ Also, the BibleThinker app is awesome!!! Downloaded it this morning!!!

If we cannot see God's wrath, we cannot see his love.

You are propelling me in my relationship with God thank you for your obedience

As a Pastor I often find myself cautious of Christian content I find online, we are to test the Spirit and earnestly contend for the faith. Often I have started one of your videos concerned about where you might be going with the topic only to find that you are spot on and I am in full agreement. God has gifted you with a tremendous ability to teach the Word of God in an easy to understand and calm manner. God bless you!

By now I can easily recognize all three of Mike's shirts

I don’t think I have ever listened to one who I see resonates with scripture so well! Thanks for your videos Mike! Definitely Gods work here

Mike, u rip, tear & lacerate the spiritual realm with these epic vids. Coming from Southern Cal, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Have a wonderful anniversary and rest time to you and your wife. Thankyou for devoting your time to teaching us. Really appreciate it and gives a fresh view of a biblical perspective.

Super excited for the app!! Much needed. Okay, watching the video now. 😉😇

Yay. I got the Bible Thinker app here in Australia.🙂🇦🇺 🦘 Thank you Brother Mike. God bless you and your family always in the Mighty Name of Jesus. I truly appreciate your teachings. 🙂

Excited about the app! The podcasts were very useful as well for car rides!

I'm so excited for the app! I feel secure when I think of God's wrath BECAUSE it points to His sovereignty, and I know He loves me and will never cause me eternal harm.

Just downloaded the app, thank you so much!

Amazing! Thank you, Pastor Mike for the new app!!!

Congratulations on the app launch, it’s great to see your ministry grow

God's wrath is just

Thanks Mike for all the rock solid teaching, I feel very blessed to have stumbled upon your ministry, I’m your unofficial promoter down here in little old New Zealand, have shared your videos with dozens of believers. I will pray for you and your family, that God will strengthen and equip you all to bring Him glory. Bible Thinker App available and works well in NZ, thanks again.

Yay! Very excited for the app : ) Also, thank you for another great video

Thank you Pastor Mike, this is an area that I have struggled with and this video gave me clarity. I am so thankful for your accurate understanding of Gods Character and that all the traits of God are glorious.

Well spoken, Pastor Mike!

I’m already making space for my Bible Thinker App on my front page (sorry Merlin Bird ID app). Thanks for making it!

Phenomenal teaching sir! This was SO edifying, and even eye opening in many ways with your commentary on the consequences of not acknowledging God's wrath. Thank you for not shying away from these topics that can seem uncomfortable, because they push us more and more to trust the word of God. I'm grateful to him for using you the way he does in this ministry more than you know!

Yes exactly, 'righteous wrath.' He is a just and fair, loving Father.

Hi Mike, I think God’s wrath is an spontaneous result of how He reacts when evil and transgression confronts Him. It is like a flame when exposed to paper, wood or straw, it destroys it because of the characteristic of fire. That’s how God’s wrath is, His nature destroys anything against it. We have to be transformed into his nature so that we can be with Him and not be destroyed by His presence.

I wonder if you are as nice & genuine off camera. You seem like the type of person that would be a great friend.

Amen

43:45 Because in philippians it says he set aside his priviledge as a cloak. He became a man and after being filled with the Spirit was our example and what we are to mature into. People balk at it becuase really often spiritual truth is foolishness to people and many actively suppress the things of the Spirit. I'm not talking about nar or Bethel. I'm talking read 1 cor and you'll see the biblical balance. More to say but I'll leave it there. ❤

Oh! This should be good 😁

Very much appreciated the teacing today. Good to hear a reference to Morris - The Apostolic Teaching of the Cross. He does a great breakdown on the nature of the wrath of God in the Old Testament. This quote from Tim Keller in his book King's Cross may be helpful and summarizes much of what you said in the video: Here you may say, “I don’t like the idea of the wrath of God. I want a God of Love.” The problem is if you want a loving God, you have to have an angry God. Please think about it. Loving people can get angry, not in spite of their love, but because of it. IN fact, the more closely and deeply you love people in your life, the angrier you can get. Have you noticed that? When you see people who are harmed or abused, you get mad. If you see people abusing themselves, you get mad at them, out of lve. Your sense of love and justice are activated together, not in opposition to each other. If you see people destroying themselves and each other and don’t get mad, it’s because you don’t care. … The more loving you are, the more ferociously angry you will be at whatever harms your beloved. And the greater the harm, the more resolute your opposition will be. When we think of God’s wrath, we usually think of God’s justice, and that is right. Those who care about justice get angry when they see justice trampled upon, and we should expect a perfectly just God to do the same. But we don’t ponder how much his anger is also a function of his love and his goodness. The Bible tells us that God loves everything that he has made. That’s one of the reasons he’s angry at what’s going on in his creation; he is angry at anyone or anything that is destroying the people and world he loves. His capacity for love is so much greater than ours - and the cumulative extent of evil in the world is so vast - that the word wrath doesn’t really do justice to how God feels when he looks at the world. So it makes no sense to say, “I don’t want a wrathful God, I want a loving God.” If God is loving and good, he must be angry at evil - angry enough to do something about it. Thanks again for doing what you do!

I I would thoroughly enjoy a video on the rapture. I personally believe we will be here for the tribulation, but i respect your opinion and enjoy your theology.

45:43 In acts the word appointed is better rendered disposed. And the context is in contrast to the Jews that didn't count themselves worthy of eternal life.❤

I would love to get your thoughts on born again believers backsliding (even horribly) and whether they can actually repent or not and remain in Christ or perhaps if prolonged and grievous back sliding is evidence as to whether they were ever saved to begin with. May seem like an elementary level question, but there are definitely different views on it. Love your videos, Mike. :)

This was a beautiful representation of Gods wrath Mike! Such a great video for the world to have.

Bible thinker app?? 👍👍❤❤❤

is there any way we can contact you?I have an important question and video clip from a church whos music i listen to. just want to see your biblical perspective on it. thank you!

Mike this is great teaching. I have picked up many points. One that I know I am guilty of is God is angry at sin not the sinner. I believe my motives were good saying this but like you said it is not correct.

Mike, what are your thoughts on ethical veganism?

God's wrath is good because judgment of sin was poured out on Jesus to save me. When we get rid of the wrath we remove the path of salvation.

🥰🥰

The Acts passage on appointed people - I’m so confused! 😭 So God elected people individually to believe but didn’t choose them and they chose Him? I know I don’t understand correctly. Can someone help correct me? Thank you!

God is so amazing! What God's holiness demanded, His love provided.

In regards to God’s wrath, did Jesus take on God’s wrath towards us on the cross? Thank you

My Pastor says that he reada a lot of from Psalms. He keeps learning from Psalms.

I was hoping the judges would have been brought up here

Mike, I think you are the 2nd wisest man of our generation. (John Piper being first on my list). Hopefully you don't mind coming 2nd to John Piper. Stay humble and I am sure I will be enjoying your growing wisdom for as long as The Lord shall tarry.

Mr. Winger. Sir, your special pleading for your version of God, Yahweh says that he can’t travel with the Israelites, because he might get angry at them, and you see that differently than the other mythologies.

Interesting this video was done so recently. I believe in the death penalty for those who commit murder and commit evil acts. Some Christians say grace should be given and always use Paul as an example, but it was Paul himself who said if you do evil be very afraid. Jesus said he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword. What's your view Mike?

The problem is when God shows anger on things that we do not consider so bad... for example idolatry... why he is so anger on idolatry?

@Mike Winger Why do you reject the clear scriptural teaching that God's anger is not without end (see Psalm 103 and Revelation 15:1) with the tradition of men (especially Augustine) that God's Wrath is forever (according to many in this tradition, this is a great joy to the saints in heaven)? As in Ezekiel 33, which you quoted, the purpose of God's wrath and justice is reconciliation, not unending torment. Put another way, God is not Justice, God is just; God is not Wrath, God has wrath; but God doesn't just have love, He isn't just loving, He is love, (1 John 4:8,16) His very nature is love and so His wrath and justice must be understood in that context as willing the best for the loved one, not their "just" eternal torment.

God has such wrath against sin because of how destructive it is for those whom he loves.

The NIV translation of James 1:20 says something pretty different. .....human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. It’s not saying that all anger doesn’t bring about the righteousness of God. It’s saying that human anger does not. The Bible is not saying that in sharing in God’s character in respect of anger you are prone to fall into sin.

Is slaughtering innocent babies and children good wrath? 1 Samuel 15:2-3 2 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt.3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction[a] all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”

Thank you for your videos Pastor Mike. I have learned alot from your teachings and appreciate how you always try to ground your teaching on Scriptures. With regard to Acts 13, the explanation using middle knowledge and God exercising His foreknowledge ( that ultimately which persons would choose to believe out of their own "free will" without any decisive action to influence this on God's part) in order to try to make compatible the clear teaching in many verses in Scriptures which describe God's decisive acts of choice and calling ( with no mention of man's own free choosing of God in these verses) does not seem convincing. Verses such as John 15:16-17; Eph 1:4; Thess 2:13; Romans 9:15-24; Isaiah 65:1; Romans 8: 29-30 ( and several others) unequivocally state that God " chooses"; God "elects"; God "calls"----"you did not choose me; I chose you" etc. These verses cannot seem to be explained by the " God already knew b4 He created the world who would believe "and so He goes ahead to still create this world and uses election to explain the "free will" choices of men to choose Him in future. this explanation ( God's foreknowledge + man's free choice) creates a possible problem : it appears to deny God's sovereignty in His Will to save those He wants to save as God would then appear to be responding to His created creatures actions rather than being sovereign in all His plans and desires. How do you reconcile God's sovereignty to the theology that man makes the ultimate choice to reject or choose God? God is either sovereign or He is not. Just as He is either Holy and Good or he is not. Finally the theology that " God loves man so much that He has given man "free will" to choose him freely" ---because that is how we define love as humans ( the often quoted example is if someone was " coerced " to love you/ choose you then its not love ( that is our human definition)------- so far I cannot find biblical examples of this theology ( free will to choose or reject God because he wants us to love Him out of our own volition----taking into account our "dead in trespassers" pre-believer natures) and would appreciate if you could point me to some of these:)) Thanks pastor mike!

Doesn't calvinism believe in predestination +free will also?

Thank Mike. I have a question maybe you can answer it or hopefully I can make the live stream next week and get my question in :) I've noticed pretty much every single early church father believed you can lose your salvation. They actually have tons of very explicit comments on it. I would say that I believe in eternal security, but why are all the early church fathers unanimously against it? It's very unsettling.

I Go to a wonderful church and they preach the word but they do not really preach about the once saved always saved doctrine they preach a person can lose their salvation if they constantly sin etc at least that is my understanding but they also believe that you are saved through faith in Jesus without works. So if a person continually chooses to live in sin and says they are saved or were once saved is it possible that the person could miss rapture aka a backslider?This has always bugged me and I believe that the new understanding that when we put saved that our works should show that we are saved and we should not go back to our old life but I feel as tho they make it seem like if a person has a sin pattern etc they lose their salvation. Idk I’m torn between the two and I believe that the Bible teaches us that our faith saves us and that our works should show we are saved? Maybe I’m confused.

It’s the strangest thing to listen to this. I have no problem with God having wrath! He’s holy! I don’t try to reason that out in my puny brain. Never entered my head. When I pray I always thank God that He is holy. I’m so glad He is a holy God I can’t even put it into words. This whole conversation is weird to me.

Close but no cigar. God's wrath is an attribute of god. God's attributes are revealed in the Gospel. Jesus absorbed the wrath of God through the covenant of grace. People are called to the covenant of Grace to savingly believe in the gospel by Christ alone who unites therm to himself and who thereby avoid God's wrath. The subsequent removal of God's wrath by Christ is only poured upon the elect who are called. The wrath of God therefore is resolved in the gospel which includes the doctrine of election and calling. This is graphically depicted in the gospel narratives which highlight Christ's calling of the disciples and every one else who experiences the destruction of the nation which is prophesied in the Olivet discourse and occurs. in 70 A.D. This critigue of your video is based upon the premise that the gospel is fully depicted in the Jesus narratives and presented in Pauls' gospel which includes Romans 9-11, which also includes Pauls discussion and articulation of the doctrine of Calling and election. A full understanding of the doctrine of God's wrath is completed in a full presentation of the N.T. gospel which includes both the illustration of the doctrine of Calling and election which is seen in the gospel narratives and fully defended and articulated in Pauls articulation of his gospel epistle to the Romans. Teaching and preaching the gospel of the New Testament includes the facts that God's wrath is fulfilled in Christ who calls and saves the elect alone. The gospel is the terminus point of God's wrath which is otherwise unintelligible. Be a good theologian and complete the discussion of God's wrath by showing how it is ended in God's sovereign gospel intentions, otherwise it is a half gospel.

Being right and being good are two different things. Good is cherished wrath is not. End of.

Greek: ὀργή Transliteration: orgē Pronunciation: or-gay' Definition: From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind) that is (by analogy) violent passion (ire or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment: - anger indignation vengeance wrath. KJV Usage: wrath (31x), anger (3x), vengeance (1x), indignation (1x). Occurs: 36 In verses: 34

The cross is an expression of two things: -Love -Hate But the hate is also love. It is towards behaviour not people and is motivated by concern for the welfare of human beings.

it's sad and scary that people think eternal torture is a good think

"When involved in bethel and that whole circle of churches a few years I found the "Kenosis" to be one of their primary teachings. Bill emphasizes and repeats "Jesus did not do his miracles as God but as a perfect man filled with the Holy Spirit." He preaches it, and has it in writing. its a verbatim (also in writing) repeat of preaching by Randy Clark, who is repeating word of faith "teaching" (i.e Heresy). Why i call that Heresy would be say the entire book of John. Where Christ is clearly portrayed as doing miracles because he's god. The disciples are able to do miracles because they are under his Authority. So here's why the kenosis teaching is huge for them. It is actually the primary foundation for this entire denomination. They are saying in essence (and often) we can and should be doing everything Jesus did because he emptied himself came to the earth as a man filled with the holy spirit so he was like us (except sinless). We are the same as Jesus because we are people filled with the Holy Spirit and fogiven (instead of perfect people). That is the teaching. It leads to this total obsession with miracles and signs and mysticism and the power of man. Heres why i hate this teaching. 1 . it de-emphasizes Christ as the unique god-man Uniquely attested to by signs and wonders and the Power and presence of the Holy Spirit. This was, in His own words, one of the primary evidences that we should believe in Him. I am not even remotely suggesting that signs and wonders have passed only that Jesus was Uniquely attested to by miracles more than all humans ever (likely combined). # 2. It massively exalts man. Instead of saying the apostles did miracles as delegated authorities (read the roman centurion and his understanding of faith to heal as being "a man under authority". ) it suggests that we are very much like Christ (proof texting "as he is so are we in this world") and we can essentially do miracles and supernatural feats anytime we want as we are filled with the same spirit Jesus was (rather than being like christ and "only doing what i see the father do"). Their entire reason for the emphasis on the kenosis is to provide a "theological" framework for the emphasis on miracles and healings. Thats it that the only reason it comes up. It portrays man is these super beings who are essentially like pre-fallen Adams and Eves (given "dominion" over the whole earth). Also this teaching majorly feeds into their very strong emphasize on confession "the creative power if the tongue". As a redeemed adam we have the dominion powers of Adam including naming and calling things as they are and speaking things into existence (the "little gods" teaching). Ironically this is all verbatim classic textbook word of faith heresy. Absolutely nothing new. Whats new is they have added some confusion over sanctification (claiming it was all accomplished on the cross) and some other areas of confusion. its basically Gnosticism or word of faith + mysticism. It can only happen though very little emphasis on the word. Tons if proof texting and being pulled off course by powerful, clever and subtle seducing spirits who constantly whisper tales of greatness and spiritual powers into your head until you end up a christian sorcerer hybrid (but as Christ said to the laodicean church he hates mixture), better to be either all hot or all cold."

So torturing people forever should be praised ? WOW!

Mike, doesn't Molinism contradict the truth of God's sovereignty? Also doesn't the fact that Molinism has Catholic (Jesuit) roots post-reformation concern you?

If God did not have love there would not be a heaven and if God did not have wrath there would not be a hell since God is love and wrath there is a heaven and a hell

Doesn't God is your throne represent that our power is the power of God. Thrones represent power don't you think?

I see it all the time. Former Christian’s proclaiming to be atheist because God has wrath in the Bible. Then they say how God is this cry baby that cries out for attention while I’m sitting here like 😐 that’s the point you gathered from the entire Bible?

We are not appointed to wrath, but we are promised tribulation, persecution, rejection and trials. All the apostles suffered tribulation and persecution. Prosperity gospel only works in America. Look at other countries. Look at the Holocaust. Look at the cross. A servant is not above his master. If they hated Him, they will hate us also.

Gods wrath comes 7th trumpet ( )below Revelation 11:15-19 King James Version 15( And the seventh angel sounded;) and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and (art to come; )because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18 And the nations were angry, (and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth

Thanks, Mike, for giving me a second non-calvinist take on Acts 13. Let me see if I understand your position. The future is determined by those who determine it, so those who determine to believe the gospel in the future do so unchangeably. God, being eternal, not hindered by time, does not have to wait until future believers believe, but can appoint them to eternal life in eternity (past), which is also eternity (present) and eternity (future); which is also why eternal life is not only a future hope, but a present reality for us. Correct, or NO, YOU’RE WAY OFF!?

How do you know if God is angry with you? Can anyone know the mind of a God? Like when the earthquake hit Haiti, a priest stood in the ruins of a Catholic Church and said "God spoke here today." How could anybody know if God spoke, and then blame an earthquake on him? Don't you think he'd be a little upset about that? He might say the Devil did it, not me 😉

God's wrath is not good. God doesn't even call it good. He repent from doing it as it grieves him. It's called the fearful day. Fearful because of those who will get it and for him that has to do it. He rather not. Only what pleases him is good. Judgement in wrath dose not. Only righteousness pleases God and is good. If someone says God like what is good and says God likes wrath they are upsetting for God.

You are about to talk on the wrath of God and you open with an ad for your app. Do you take your own subject seriously? Hmm to I show more interest in the Wrath of God or your app. Really? Goodbye.

Instead of describing his righteous wrath as anger, wouldn't it be better to say it's a justified response to sin?

I like listening to you but how come no one asks any critical questions? About the flood story, where this loving God wipes everybody out. What an awful story! God says he did it because the people were wicked and evil. According to what? At that point there were no laws, rules, or commandments. And didn't God know beforehand that he was going to be sorry? What about the part where everything happens for a reason according to God's will which is ultimately good. It just doesn't add up

You claim that God loves us so much and doesn't want anyone to perish, but yet if I question or have lack of belief, God is oh so willing to send me to an eternal torture. What kind of loving fathercould possibly send one of his children to an eternal torture no matter what the crime? And just because I question authenticity of 2000 year old text, that is worthy of an eternal torture? But a mass murderer, rapist, someone who wreaks havoc on thousands of other people's lives need only to ask for forgiveness to spend an eternity in Paradise. Doesn't belief in this God pretty much make human life worthless.? And you don't get to know until after you're dead? Really?

He wants Everyone to be saved, or has he predetermined a time of wrath for when everyone he predestined to be saved?

God's wrath is simply giving people over to what they desire. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Romans 1:18‭-‬19 KJV Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Romans 1:24‭-‬27 KJV And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Romans 1:28 KJV

How can anybody believe this nonsense?