A careful study of Paul’s epistle to the Romans shows that Paul the Apostle was not ignorant of the sin and evil that was so prevalent in the Roman Empire. As a matter of fact Paul the Apostle addresses this issue first and foremost in the introduction of his letter to the Romans…he does this clearly in chapter one.
Paul clearly writes about the evils in the society of his day and clearly communicates The Lord’s Mind and Judgment on this matter – that the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
Romans 1:17There was no way the Roman Empire was going to escape the Judgments of God if men continued in ungodliness and sin and refused to repent. Paul clearly communicated in his writing to the Roman Christians that there was a day of reckoning that would come because of the unrighteousness and evil in society. There was no escape from the Wrath of God to come except by repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ.
(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Was Paul’s Warning to only to Secular Rome?
However, when one continues to study Romans chapter 1 carefully, one realizes that Paul’s warning was not just directed at the secular society in Rome but rather the warning was also directed to the society of people who once knew God and had knowledge of Truth but walked away from the Truth of God.
Yes, we know that there were a large number of Jewish peoples who lived in Rome and also a large number of Christian converts who lived in Rome at that time. Therefore Paul’s warning was not just directed at none believers in Rome as most bible students tend to interpret the warnings in Romans Chapter one.
The question is was Rome a ‘godly’ nation before the Jews and Christianity arrived there from a Christian perspective? Were the Romans folks held to Judeo Christian Truth before the advent of the Jews and Christians in Rome? So, if the Romans were ‘pagans’ and ungodly according to a Christian point of view, how then could they reject truth and knowledge of God which they did not have in the first place?
In general Paul sends a warning to the whole Roman Society but seems to zero-in on those who had knowledge of God and Truth of God but rejected it and turned away from it.
Yes, it is true that in every society, The Lord’s Creation is a testament that He exists to every one’s conscience and as such Romans chapter 1 addresses the none Christians who reject the knowledge of God and there is no escape from the implications of Romans chapter 1.
However, many times Christians tend to think that Paul was only addressing pagans, homosexuals, and all other sinners and excluding Christians and Jews who turned their backs on God; for it is them who are even held more accountable to the fearful warnings in Romans Chapter 1, directed to those that turn away from the Knowledge and Truth of The Lord. So, this chapter calls us to accountability as Christians to Romans Chapter 1…
Are we in anyway turning away from the Truth and Knowledge of God? Are we as Christians slowly and subtly rejecting the knowledge of God and His Truth in His Word?
Look around the many false teachings and doctrines that have crept inside the Church today, especially in the Western world, would it be wrong to say that many churches are turning their backs on Truth, Sound Doctrine, and Knowledge of God? How then could we escape the warning of Romans chapter 1 that promise wrath of God on all who reject the truth and knowledge of God?
In the West there is a tendency to think that the warning is only to the heathens, liberals, homosexuals, evolutionists, and every pagan but I am afraid this warning in Romans chapter 1 goes out to Christians as well…and we had better begin soul searching and repentance from all sin and false doctrines before it is too late.
The question then is when does this wrath take place? Paul writes to the Roman Christians in present future tense when he communicates the warning – the wrath of God IS REVEALED against all ungodliness… In other words, when men turn away from God and reject the knowledge of God, then God’s Wrath IS REVEALED…
However, looking at other scriptures in the New Testament, we see that there is a Wrath that comes on societies when they reject the Truth and Knowledge of God…this is what I call a ‘Present Wrath’…and also there is the Wrath to come…the ‘Future Wrath’, when Jesus Christ returns – The Day of The Lord…
John the Baptist speaks of the Wrath to come…a future wrath...
Matthew 3:7-8Jesus Christ alludes to a ‘near future’ wrath… Were events in 70.AD this ‘wrath’? Jerusalem has to endure this ‘wrath’ until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled…
(7) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
(8) Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Luke 21:23-24John the apostle writes here about a ‘present wrath’ that abides on those who believe not in The Son of God…
(23) But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
(24) And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
John 3:36Paul the apostle writes about a ‘Day of Wrath’ that is to come…But The Lord is patient that men everywhere will repent…
(36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Romans 2:4-6Wrath is promised to those who obey not the truth, Jews first and then Gentiles…Paul draws this interesting distinction between Jews and Gentiles…wrath first to the Jews and then Gentiles…interesting, in light of historic events surrounding the persecution of Jews around the world…
(4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
(5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Romans 2:7-9It is only Jesus Christ who can save us from the Wrath of God…
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Romans 5:9A future ‘Wrath of God’ is promised to the children of disobedience…but the warning goes out to Christians so that they don’t get deceived by sin…
(9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Ephesians 5:5-7Paul continues to warn that the Wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience and all who continue to sin and therefore exhorts the saints to flee sin…
(5) For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
(6) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
(7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Colossians 3:5-6Paul the apostle clearly writes about the ‘Wrath to Come’…it is only Jesus Christ who can deliver us from the Wrath to Come…
(5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
(6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
1 Thessalonians 1:10Interestingly Paul writes to the Thessalonians about a ‘Wrath’ that came upon the Jews for resisting the preaching of the gospel…Paul even is more descriptive…he says this ‘wrath’ came upon the Jews to the uttermost… We see that The Lord can cause His wrath to come even in the ‘present’ on those who resist the gospel… Was Paul speaking of the events around 70.AD?
(10) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16The Lord has not called us as Christians to wrath but to salvation in Jesus Christ…
(14) For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
(15) Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
(16) Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
1 Thessalonians 5:9John the apostle writes about some of the events that take place when the ‘future wrath’ happens – the ‘great day of his wrath’…
(9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Revelation 6:16-17John continues to write about the ‘future wrath’ and events that take place when it happens…
(16) And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
(17) For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Revelation 11:18A ‘Future Wrath’ is promised to all those who will receive the mark of the beast…
(18) And the nationswere 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.
Revelation 14:9-10We see the ‘Future Wrath of God’ here….angels get ready to pour this wrath upon all children of disobedience upon the earth…
(9) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
(10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Revelation 15:7-8It is Jesus Christ who is in charge of executing the Wrath of God and It is only He who can save us from the Wrath of God…Amen!
(7) And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth forever and ever.
(8) And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
Revelation 19:15-16Greek Terms for Wrath in Romans Chapter 1
(15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
(16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
THAYER DEFINITION
G3709 ὀργή orgē
Thayer Definition:
1) anger, the natural disposition, temper, character
2) movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but especially anger
3) anger, wrath, indignation
4) anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment itself
4a) of punishments inflicted by magistrates
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G3713
Citing in TDNT: 5:382, 716
STRONG’S DEFINITIONFrom the Greek definition of the word ‘Wrath’ in the New Testament, we see that The Lord does indeed reckon with societies and civilizations that turn away from The Knowledge of God, Truth, and Justice…
G3709 ὀργή orgē
or-gay'
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.
- There is Vengeance…from The Lord…
- There is Punishment…from The Lord…
- There is Anger…from The Lord…
- There is Indignation…from The Lord…
- There is Wrath…from The Lord…on all individuals, societies, and civilizations that reject the Knowledge of God, His Truth, His Truth, and Justice.
Romans 1:17We see that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against those who hold the truth in unrighteousness… It is easy to simply point this verse to none Christians, heathen, pagans, homosexuals, and all liberals…
(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
However, a closer look at the western church today shows that many folks especially those in leadership are holding God’s truth in unrighteousness…
How many times has the church used the gifts of God like giving, assembling together, etc for personal gain? How many times have leaders crafted their own doctrines for their own personal kingdoms and control?
God’s Creation is a Testament that He exists…
Romans 1:19-20The Romans were without excuse concerning God and His Existence… Creation testified to their conscience that there is a Creator and the creator calls for righteousness, Truth and justice. However, Roman culture was deeply rooted and engaged in Greek Philosophies that exulted Man and Self.
(19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
(20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Despite the Jews and Christians who had knowledge of God in Rome, the Roman civilization was so much entangled in their own form of Secular Humanism. Paul the apostle sent a clear message to the saints in Rome that God’s Wrath was to be revealed on all forms of ungodliness…
Sins such as those that brought judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah existed in Rome; from homosexuality, lesbianism, infanticide, greed, gluttony, warmongering, and all sorts of other evils.
God’s judgment did come upon the Roman Empire and civilization with great severity that what remains of the once powerful Roman Civilization and empire are crumbled coliseums and stone walls of the once invincible empire.
This should serve as a serious warning to the Western World and its current civilization, just like The Lord did not spare ancient civilizations but judged them because of sin and evil, so, The Lord will not spare the current Western Civilization either.
Today in the Western world the same sins seem to be given credence by Secular Humanist Societies… from Homosexuality, Gluttony, Greed, Infanticide, Warmongering…the Western World is reminiscent of the Roman civilization and self indulgent culture.
There is wide spread rejection of the existence of God in the Western World despite the evidence that creation presents. This is a society that is totally rejecting the knowledge of God from elementary schools, Ivy League colleges, None Governmental Organizations, and the Court Houses…and amazingly the list includes many main stream Churches and a number of Evangelical Churches that are joining the Secular Humanist bandwagon.
Worse is that because of technology and globalization, the Western world ‘cultures’, ideologies, and philosophies are quickly sweeping the rest of the globe. I come from Uganda, in the ‘Third World’, yet I am astonished and amazed at the speed with which Western Culture, Thought and Philosophies have taken over Ugandan Society.
Unlike the Roman Civilization, the Western World has the Technology that serves as a vehicle for globalization and creation of a New World Social Order… Most of this is done with sincerity for the good of all, such that the whole world will have an even playing field…no racism, no greed, no discrimination against Gays and Lesbians…equal rights…yet all this is done with their backs against Jesus Christ, His Word, and His Truth.
They knew God but Glorified Him Not…
Romans 1:21-23Paul the apostle addresses folks who knew God but did not glorify him and were not thankful. Once again, this not only addresses none Christians but also Christians who have fallen into apostasy and turn their backs on the truth and knowledge of God.
(21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
(22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(23) And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
This type of apostasy is happening in many Churches today as Christian leaders continue to water down God’s Word and incorporate Secular Humanistic philosophies in their teachings so as to please man.
They profess to be wise, with accreditation in Theology from the best colleges and universities in the Western World, yet they continuously reject the very existence of God, the Birth, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. They deny the existence of God and as such become fools…
Our society today with major influence from the West places value in creation but yet they reject the Creator. They love the benefits of creation but yet hold to an Evolution perspective that basically rejects the existence of God.
One wonders why we have a large Green Movement and push for a clean environment from folks who believe in evolution. Why not simply allow the Environment to degenerate and simply allow for the ‘Survival of the Fittest’ principle to take course? Why spend billions of dollars protecting the environment and doing away with carbon emissions? Why protect species that are on the extinction list? Why not simply allow another ‘Evolution’ to take place?
Since we are told we originated from a ‘big bang’, and then why not allow a second ‘big bang’ 2.0 to take place so new species can be born out of our destruction of the earth through pollution?
The Western World worships creation and love its benefits of a clean green environment which they spend millions to protect knowing the consequences of inaction yet ironically claim to have creation originated as a result of evolution. Is it that the Western World knows that this is all we have and if we don’t take care of the environment, Evolution will not bail us out?
All the talk about saving planet earth, Mother Nature, green earth movement, the environment talk etc has very good merit, and yes it is a noble thing that we take care of the earth and not destroy it by pollution.
The Bible is very clear that The Lord will judge severely those who destroy the earth and it is a noble and moral thing that we as Christians take pride in protecting God’s Creation rather than partner with folks who out of greed seek its destruction…
Revelation 11:17-18However, the Western World has turned the ‘Save the Environment’ movement into a form of worship of ‘Mother Earth’ and the main pushers in these movements have rejected God as Creator in their knowledge and therefore not accountable to God as caretakers and stewards of the environment. It is basic worship of creation rather than the Creator.
(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.
First stages of God’s Wrath – Society is given over to uncleanness…
Romans 1: 24-27The wrath of God seems to come in phases, at least when one reads the Roman Chapter 1. We see that the first stage is that society is given over to the very sins and practices which the bible clearly condemns.
(24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
(25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
(26) 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:
(27) 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 recompense of their error which was meet.
In Rome, society became immersed in gluttony, greed, self indulgence, Senators were known to move around with young boys who served as sex slaves to the Senators, homosexuality was normal practice, wars of greed were common and society was given over to a debased mind.
The Western world is moving towards the same Roman direction. We have States in the USA that have legalized Gay Marriages, Infanticide in the form of abortion is legal and society will continue towards that path.
However, some Christians get too much taken up by such occurrences in which such sins become legal in their societies…thinking that the world is going to end…or the USA is going to be immediately destroyed… Yes, The Lord will definitely bring about judgment…and as a matter of fact, that judgment has begun in the form of these societies being given over to these sins which the Bible clearly condemns…
However, since we live in the last days, there is global propulsion of sins such as Homosexuality, Lesbianism, and Infanticide which are being promoted around the world and legislation being made in places like The Third World to have Gay Unions and Infanticide normal with funding from the Western World.
Whatever is happening in the USA or Europe is with great stride becoming a standard in the Third World. I mentioned that I come from Uganda, and it is amazing to see how Homosexuals are ‘coming out of the closet’, in Academia, we have professors pushing for Gay Rights, Abortion Rights, Prostitution etc…
With the advent of the Internet, there is a growing interest in the Porn Industry…as a matter of fact, one local Newspaper cited Porn as one of the catalyst for growth in the Internet Café Business in East Africa. This trend will not rescind but will only increase as the world becomes more technologically connected and globalized.
This is a new dilemma that we must face as Christians. The Evils and Sins we thought were only secluded to the Western World are right inside our own poor African neighborhoods.
Countless stories have appeared in Ugandan Press about Evangelical Homosexual Pastors, many of whom still pastor even to this day… Some of these Evangelical Pastors have been accused of sodomizing young teenage boys yet the authorities never bring about any charges against them.
This is something that the so-called ‘Flee Babylon USA’ theology pushers don’t want people to know… There is basically not a sin free and evil free society today in the world that has not become partners with the philosophies of the Western World… So, if one flees the USA because of the social evils and sins and moves to Uganda, soon or later, they will find themselves fleeing again because the same evils in the USA are now being established as social norms in Uganda…
What we are looking at here is not just the Wrath of God on the USA and Europe alone but on every nation that turns its back on God of the Bible. This is what the Whole Book of Revelation is about, not just a Judgment on the USA but the whole world!
A Civilization that increasingly hates God…
Romans 1:28-32Rome had become a society that increased in hatred for God. A certain Roman emperor at some point expelled Jews from Rome; he then proceeded to persecute Christians and used them as objects of game by feeding them to lions in the Roman Coliseums. Rome rejected the knowledge of God in their philosophies and became a society that hated God.
(28) 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;
(29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
(30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
(31) Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
(32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
However, this warning was not just only intended for the Roman Secular world but also to Christians who had fallen away and given themselves over to Apostasy. It included the Jews who rejected the knowledge of God and instead turned to worship idols and hated God.
It is important to note that at some point in history Rome got the opportunity to know about Jesus Christ due to the incredible missionary work of the early Christians in Rome. However, Rome rejected the Gospel and Teachings of Jesus Christ and instead embraced Greek Philosophies and Ideologies that focused on the worship of self and man. Rome not only received the knowledge from the preachers of the gospel that God of Heaven would judge such evil and sin, but Rome actually supported those who practiced sin and actually made sin a social norm.
The Western Society is not so much different from the Roman behavior towards the gospel. The Western world has had every opportunity to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ but they have rejected it and instead opted for Secular Humanism and worship of self and man. They have through legislation approved and supported sin…
Sadly many Christians in the West have given themselves over to the same spirit of worshiping self and man as this can be seen through the countless books by Christian authors that simply speak of ‘How to Better Self’ and ‘How to Make the Better You’…
We live in a very similar globalized world today that is increasingly becoming intolerable when it comes to God and His Son Jesus Christ. Today actually, the world would have no problems of you mentioning ‘God’ but when one immediately speaks about The Name of Jesus Christ, then hate is spewed against the messenger.
However, the matter is made worse by Christians and Churches around the world that have become compromised and thrown Sound Doctrine out of the window, embraced ecumenism and rejected the Teachings and Sayings of Jesus Christ…
Jesus Christ told us plainly that in the last days just prior to His Second coming, there is going to be a global hate movement against True Christians…there is going to be heavy persecution globally against all those who believe in The Name of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:9Brethren, the implications of Romans Chapter 1 are great and not just a warning to the Secular World but also a Warning to those who are giving themselves up to Apostasy and turning away from the Teachings and Sayings of Jesus Christ – The Knowledge of God.
(9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
There is going to be an exponential increase of evil and sin but this time legalized and made to look good…evil is going to be called good and good called evil…
We live in the last days and for us in this day and age it is imperative that we know that apostasy is not just limited to the USA and the Western World but increasingly becoming a global standard, so is sin in the likes of Gay Marriages and Abortions.
However, there is a day of reckoning, the Great Day of The Lord – The Day of His Wrath…that day is sure coming.
In Christ Jesus
Kato Mivule
