Not Appointed to Wrath

Not Appointed to Wrath

By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed ... The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
~ Revelation 9:18,20-21 (NIV)

Fast-forward from 2010 AD to Earth's Great Tribulation. A fourth of the population was killed at Revelation 6:8. A third are killed here at 9:18. If one guesses that a third of the original population was Christians (who were raptured and are now absent), the planet has lost perhaps three fourths of its people, perhaps more.

Those remaining are a stubborn group. They have some clue that God is making war upon them (see Revelation 6:16). Yet like the Pharaoh of Moses’ time, they refuse to bow to His will. As the plagues of God’s wrath intensify, so does the pride which despises the goodness of God and refuses repentance Romans 2:4-5.

Rewind back to 2010.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NKJV)

The whole creation now groans because of sin (Romans 8:19-22). World governments are crumbling under waste and ineptitude. We who are Christ's face tribulation, trials, temptations.

But we are not appointed to wrath.

We are appointed to live together with Him (to abide in Jesus through His Word and Spirit), to comfort each other (one-on-one is implied), and to edify one another (build up the whole body).

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
~ Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV)

Rich comfort and peace and strength to each of you in such words.

I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: globalpost.com