Understanding Psalm 37: Comfort and Promises

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Psalm 37:1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. That last line certainly has application to believers today doesn’t it when we look around life and wonder why evil doers often thrive when followers of the King do not.

The answer is pretty simple – the world operates on the things of this world, the kingdom here rewards its participants while the Living God is working to teach us to live and walk by the Spirit of His Son and studying His Son shows He was certainly not of this world.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in YAHAVAH, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Now I want you to remember that the promise to dwell in the land is a reference to that PROMISED LAND God gave to Abraham. Keep that in mind as we sojourn through this chapter today. Then at verse 4-6 we change topics a bit as it says,

4 Delight thyself also in YAHAVAH; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto YAHAVAH; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

The Promise of the Desires of the Heart

So, the question is, "Does God give us what we desire?" To begin with, I think context tells us to first examine what the writer means when he says, "delight thyself in the Lord" because he then adds, "AND He shall give thee the desires of thy heart."

But even prior to the admonition to delight in Him, verse three reads, “Trust in YAHAVAH, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” And then verse four five and six add,

4 Delight thyself also in YAHAVAH; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto YAHAVAH; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

So, contextually, we must read the qualifications for YAHAVAH giving us the desires of our heart to include:

Trusting in the Lord
Doing Good
(and you will dwell in the land and be fed)

Then:

Delighting oneself also in the Lord
(and he will give thee the desires of your heart)

And then:

Committing thy ways to him,
and trusting in Him
and He will bring IT to pass

And then:

He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,
and thy judgment as the noonday.

Embracing Delight in the Lord

From this we can see the singular promise of God giving us the desires of our hearts are couched in major bookend conditions. But let's just look at the phrase, Delight oneself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. The word delight encompasses a profound sense of joy, satisfaction, and contentment.

Psalm 27:4 says that when we delight in the Lord, (we seek His presence) and Joshua 1:8 says it's when we “meditate on His Word day and night” and Romans 12:2 says it is when we “align our will with His” and Matthew 22:37 seems to suggest that this “involves the heart, mind, and soul." Frankly, if we are doing all of that it seems pretty clear that when we delight in the Lord, our desires will reflect His.

Galatians 5:17-21 says it well,

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time.

Understanding Scriptural Interpretation

There are different words in the Greek that describe action or doing. Two of them are Po-ey-oh and prasso. Poeyo probably speaks to an act, doing something once. Prasso means to practice something, make it a habit, work it. The word here in “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of GodGod’s spiritual reign—fulfilled and present, not political or future.,” meaning those who practice them.

Again, this advise is first to believers in Galatia, second to the Bride that was to be taken holy and pure in that day, and third must be considered relative to Victorious EschatologyThe belief that Jesus already fulfilled end-times prophecy, bringing spiritual victory—not future destruction. and fulfilled soteriologyThe belief that salvation is already complete through Christ, and now received through faith and love—not earned through religion..

With that all said, be merciful and compassionate with those who practice such, and pray that God will work with them in their weaknesses because sometimes those weaknesses are allowed by God to remain in us for whatever reason.

This is the funnel for scriptural interpretation. Who was it directly written to (the Galatians) when was it written to them (before Christ came to take His church) what is the best meaning of the passages in the context and then since Christ victoriously fulfilled everything, how does it apply to us today, almost 2000 years later.

The Principle of Desire for Godly Things

That said, I think the principle remains true – for those who receive and recognize Him in them today, the desire for fleshly things mentioned in the Galatian passages will be replaced by the fruit of the Spirit which you know is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (which are the next two verses in the Galatian account).

And this is the point – when we “desire” at least the things of God, delighting in Him and His ways over our own, He will grant the righteous desires of our hearts.

I just think we need to be very careful with the idea of God just granting our every wish. He is not a genie who grants every fleeting whim or selfish request like we think he will be when we are children. I frankly find it so sad when I meet people who say things like, “When I was a kid my rover was a dying and I cried out to God and said, ‘if you'll heal him I’ll believe in you.’ And Rover died!!!! So I will NEVER believe in God. Ever.” It’s a very myopic view of God and greatly part of the selfish view of Him.

Scriptural Reminders for Faith

So, a couple of reminders from the whole of scripture.

First, He shapes and molds our hearts to align our will with His and through the work of the Spirit of Christ within, we are purged of selfishness, pride, and unrighteous desires.

Second, as we draw closer to Him, our desires will begin to mirror His desires for us, reflecting His goodness and righteousness.

And third, God will grant desires that accord with His will and glory.

Romans 8:28 says,

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

According to what? His purposes. And do we know His purposes?

Isaiah 55:8-9 says,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Do you know what all of this translates to? One word – FAITH

Faith that He knows what is best. Faith that He will act according to His purposes. Faith that whatever happens that is up to Him alone. Faith that all things will work out for our good because we love Him.

At verse 7-8 the Psalmist continues and gives us further direct advice when waiting on Him to act, especially in a world that is passing us by materially, and it says,

7 Rest in YAHAVAH, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

My friends, walk by faith. Reside and abide in faith. And never allow yourself to misinterpret the world of the faithless as reality. Reality is what lasts, ephemera is fleeting, stand on the rock, walk in the Spirit, wait on the Lord.

Now, verses 9, 11, 18 (sort-of), 22 and 29 all reference the idea of “inheriting the earth.”

Verse 9 says,

9 For evildoers shall

The Concept of Inheriting the Earth

Of course, we all know that Yeshua taught on the Sermon on the Mount,

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

The Greek word for meek is prah-oose and it means, “mild.” So take the phrase used here, “but those who wait on YAHAVAH they shall inherit the earth and we have the word, prah-oose expand to include patience.

Biblical Examples of Meekness

We can readily see the steadfast meekness and patience in some biblical characters, can we: Noah – 120 years building an ark where there was no rain. Abraham and Sarah waiting for a promised son. John the Baptist patiently waiting to Baptize one soul. The faithful Jews in Yeshua’s day waiting for His arrival. All of it depicting meek patience of those who in faith wait on Him.

So, we have at least four ideas presented in verse 9 to address here –

• Evildoers being cut off from the earth
• “but those that wait upon YAHAVAH” which is a description of meekness
• They shall inherit (how)
• The earth

Approaches to Biblical Interpretation

So, it is a places in the scripture like this where we get to see that biblical interpretation is entirely based on the perspective and knowledge of the persons involved.

The most common approach is biblical literalism, maintained in my estimation by new coverts full of desire to follow God rightly. Nothing wrong with it, its part of our spiritual maturation process but in my estimation the literal view is a phase that ought to be overcome by spiritual growth which comes by knowledge of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

The second phase, which can be just as damaging as reading every word literally, is to read every world spiritually, so as to completely spiritualize the text. I suggest that there is some growth and maturity present in those who go this route but like the literalists, they have taken things way too far.

The third phase, which is the desired place in my estimation, is fivefold:

Understanding the Audience

1. GRAPHIC

2. Reading the text from Genesis to Revelation – repeatedly.

3. Understanding the audience and why things were written then,

4. Knowing the culture of the Jews to the best of your ability, and

5. Realizing that everything we are reading is speaking to them in that day as a means to see material application and fulfillment and as a means to see IF there are any Spiritual applications present.

6. Accepting that not everything will stand on all four legs.

So taking all of this, we first must admit that when the Psalmist speaks of the earth he is in all probability speaking of land, and specifically the promised land. The patient, those that wait on the Lord, the meek will inherit the land promised to Abraham (Canaan). And we know, looking back that for a long time the patriarchs looked forward to the fulfillment of this blessing. In the time of Yeshua, this Psalm had become something of a catchphrase for all material blessings from the land or earth as the Jews were under the impression that they would someday, led by their only true Messiah, take over the earth/land and reign.

Meekness and the Spiritual Promised Land

Here is where you get to decide if you agree that Yeshua came and took the material expectations of the Nation and spiritualized them for His followers. We have examples of this in using bread and wine symbolically, making Himself Lord of the Sabbath, teaching that the Kingdom of Heaven is within and many more examples. That is how we might understand, if we are willing, the Yeshua was not saying that the meek who followed Him would inherit this earthly globe or be materially wealthy, but that they would inherit the spiritual promised land above, in the New JerusalemThe spiritual reality of God's fulfilled presence with humanity—replacing Sheol after 70 A.D..

Remember that the Jews also considered the land of Canaan as “a type of heaven,” When Yeshua promises it to the meek, He means that the meek shall be received into his kingdom, and partake of its spiritual blessings here on earth and of the glories of the heavenly Canaan hereafter. So, retain all this as we move forward and bump into the passages that repeatedly mention the idea of the Meek Inheriting the earth.

Verse 10:

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13 YAHAVAH shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

14 The wicked have

The Righteous and the Wicked

15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. 16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but YAHAVAH upholdeth the righteous. 18 YAHAVAH knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. 19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of YAHAVAH shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

The Path of Righteousness

21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. 22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by YAHAVAH: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for YAHAVAH upholdeth him with his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. 28 For YAHAVAH loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. 33 YAHAVAH will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Waiting on YAHAVAH

34 Wait on YAHAVAH, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of YAHAVAH: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And YAHAVAH shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Now, one last thing. I suggest – I maintain, that in time – perhaps another thousand years, the meek of Christ here on earth will overcome and inherit this earth further evidencing His victory over all.

But it will occur only when more and more believers are willing to let Him be their spiritual king in all they do – but that is a far out speculation.

Okay, Psalm 38 – which opens us up to another conversation – God’s anger.

Is God angry? Is His wrath awaiting? Will it fall upon the world in the future or on us at deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God.? Psalm 38 may give us some insight.

Psalm 38

Now there are several descriptive titles that have been historically assigned to this Psalm and frankly they all seem like nonsense. Right or wrong I suggest that this is David writing about his state of mind and body after the Bathsheba/Uriah affair.

Because everything was materially based in that age, I can’t help but wonder if YAHAVAH punished David with physical maladies that are not described elsewhere? The writing seems to suggest this – from verse 1-11, so lets read it and see what you think:

O YAHAVAH, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace.. 4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden thy are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. 6 I am troubled; I am bowed

Understanding Anger and Wrath in Scripture

Down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. 10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. 11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

We will come back to the gist of verses 1-11 but after writing all of this, David, it seems, continues and offers up similar thoughts, saying,

12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. 13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. 14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. 15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. 16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. 17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. 18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. 19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. 20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. 21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

Exploring Biblical Anger

So, let’s hearken back to the first verse where we think that David wrote, “O YAHAVAH, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.” Was God ever angry, full of wrath? And if so, how do we balance that with Him knowing all things, with freewill and even more especially, in the face of deterministic thinking where God offers no freewill to his creations – if that is the case, why would God ever be angry?

Recall back in Psalm 7 where we read,

Psalm 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

The Hebrew there translated angry is af, there and it means nose, meaning the face, meaning an angry countenance but the Hebrew word here in Psalm 38 the word translated wrath is khetsef and means rage.

Old Testament Expressions of God

These terms are interchanged throughout the Old Testament and there is no question that YAHAVAH was angry and full of rage at times. What are we to do with this fact? Is this a different God than the Apostolic Record God? Same God, different expressions at a different place, time and audience. Remember, we were made in God's image, male and female made He them. As rudimentary as this may sound, it seems like prior to the incarnation, God expressed Himself in relation to the Nation that He chose and elected like a Good, faith, supportive Father would toward ungrateful, rebellious children.

After all I have done for you little brats and you still prove how evil you really are,” is my assessment of Him. This is not to say He wasn’t also loving, and patient and longsuffering with them, but it just seems that the masculine side of him wanted nothing to do with evil, self-will or rebellion. And this was just. He is ultimately fair in His anger and wrath (NOW GET THIS) because He created Humans with freewill and with it they chose to repeatedly disregard and disrespect Him.

And disrespect to a man is the ultimate insult, the ultimate form of pride, the ultimate expression in idolatry. He was with them, He saved them, He fed them, He guided them, He gave them rules that would bless them if they were willing; and warnings of punishments if they were not AND THEY STILL REBELLED AGAINST HIM.

We see these very masculine traits in many males today and it is by and through these traits men have degrees of success in sale, on the playing field and in war. This is not to suggest that God was not loving or kind or peaceable, but I cannot help but wonder what the incarnation brought about in Him – as radical.

Understanding Wrath and God's Law

Taking the whole word into account, Paul tells us where wrath originates in man at least, saying in Romans 4:15:

“Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.”

And because God’s law is perfect, when His Nation willingly broke it the only result would be anger. Very masculine – very strait and ordered and perhaps being just because His Law was being disregarded by a Nation, He favored this was only to prove and show to them that it would only be through faith on Their promised Messiah that they could or would be saved from Satan, sin, death and hell.

The Fate of the Law

Paul writes to believers in Colossians in that day and says in Colossians 2:13-15:

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

The first line of verse 14 is better said:

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us.

Meaning, the Law inscribed, written of DOGMA was obliterated and smeared out which stood against them.

God's Wrath and Anger

Speaking of the incarnation, the Apostolic record clearly shows that God still had wrath and anger. Interestingly, the Greek term orgay is translated to anger 5 times, to wrath about thirty times, and to vengeance and indignation once each.

God is said to be or to express all of these things–so it would be a mistake to believe that God who is love is never angry or wrathful.

Quite frankly, Yeshua the meek, Yeshua the Kind, and Yeshua the Savior also is said to have been angry. What was the setting? Only in Mark chapter 3 where we read:

Mark 3:1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. 2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. 4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Isn’t it interesting that the only time the text says Yeshua was angry was in relation to the hard hearts of the religionists in His day?

But note, 34 other times 50% speak about the anger non-disciples had in that day. that orgay is used, it speaks either to:

Luke 4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

Acts 19:28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Government officials:

Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

On individuals:

John 3:36 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 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Warnings to believers in that day:

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were

Understanding Wrath in Scripture

by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

The Wrath to Come

And then finally, 50% that speak to the wrath to come, including—

Matthew 3:7 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?

Luke 21:23 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.

From Paul

Romans 2:5 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;

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Colossians 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

1st Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1st Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

That term, is come, is in the “first aorist (timeless aorist) active indicative” which means it had come – in fact the better way to read that line is, “But the wrath has come upon them at last."

But to that Bride in that day Paul adds, in 1st Thessalonians 5:9

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Wrath in Revelation

The next 50% of the times the word wrath is used is in????? Revelation.

You’ve heard this before but God did not pour His wrath out upon His innocent Son. Rome did that from the influence of His own people.

We know this because if God had poured his wrath out from his cup of indignation, why would the surviving apostles describe that wrath as coming on the land in the age of wrath.

This is evident by what Paul says in

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

No, Revelation, given to the seven actual churches to show them what was coming, references God’s wrath 17 times, including:

Revelation 6:16 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:

Revelation 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Revelation 11:18 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.

Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Revelation 14:10 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 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

The Wrath of God and Christ's Victory

Another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Revelation 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

The Division of the Great City

Revelation 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Re 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the tribes; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

And then chapter 20 opens with John saying, “and I saw a new heaven and a new earth and then adds, “and I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

And the Prince of Peace, even Christ, the far more feminine expression of God, had His victory, and God has been reconciled to the world, and we abide in a new age where the former age of wrath fades as Christ’s victory continues to role forth into the hearts and lives of Man.

Let’s stop here. Q and A. PRAYER