Because of sin, the wrath of God has existed against mankind. And, it continues to be stored up for judgment against those who are not reconciled through faith, especially against those who have rejected the Gospel.
“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).
MORE WRATH
The necessity for Christ to come as a propitiation (to satisfy God’s wrath) is evidence that God’s wrath existed prior to the rejection of the Gospel. And, where it says “the wrath of God remains on him”, the term “remains” confirms that God’s wrath existed toward mankind prior to Christ. It is clear then that God’s wrath is not brought about by the rejection of the Gospel, but by our natural rebellion, though, no doubt, the rejection of God’s Son would add immensely to God’s indignation.
So, though God’s just wrath has been satisfied by Jesus’ sacrifice, those who do not believe on His Son will nevertheless have to face His fierce judgment, because His wrath continues to abide on them.
BENEVOLENT, BUT RIGHTEOUS
God’s wrath is hard to imagine because He is kind to those who He is angry with. “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5:45). Nevertheless, God (and Jesus since His ascension) has been judging the peoples of the earth throughout history and, in the end, He will bring all before His throne for His final judgment.
WARN PEOPLE
Therefore, we should warn people who haven’t believed in God’s Son as their substitute, for their sins to be forgiven, not to think that His goodness towards them means that He won’t judge them in His wrath, because He most certainly will!
As long as we recognise that the penal substitutionary view of the atonement doesn’t say it all about God’s reconciling act in Christ. There are other biblical ‘takes’ on Christ’s atoning act, e.g. the ‘Christus Victor’ view of Luther et al (which I blogged some time ago in some depth)
I think this adds balance to the subject of God’s wrath and God’s love. Having said that, I agree with your last paragraph.
Erroll,
Thanks so much for your input. I (and quite possibly others) would love to read the work that you mentioned and so it it would be greatly appreciated if you could reply with a link to it.
Blessings to you too!
In the meantime, for interested readers, here are Wiki links to the Satisfaction Theory of Atonement (expressed in my post) and the Christ Victor Theory of Atonement:
For what it’s worth, blogsite https://errollmulder.wordpress. com
Check Archives, ‘CHRISTUS VICTOR’ parts 1-3, Jan. 22, 24, 29 2014. The atonement is so huge isn’t it, probably only grasp it fully in heaven!
Some other perspectives: see https://errollmulder.wordpress.com Check Archives for ‘CHRISTUS VICTOR’: ANOTHER LOOK AT THE ATONEMENT, in 3 parts, posted Jan. 22, 24, 29 2014. The atonement is such a great subject, I think only in heaven shall we fully understand!
Real Church Life 
As long as we recognise that the penal substitutionary view of the atonement doesn’t say it all about God’s reconciling act in Christ. There are other biblical ‘takes’ on Christ’s atoning act, e.g. the ‘Christus Victor’ view of Luther et al (which I blogged some time ago in some depth)
I think this adds balance to the subject of God’s wrath and God’s love. Having said that, I agree with your last paragraph.
Blessings to you and your family!
Erroll,
Thanks so much for your input. I (and quite possibly others) would love to read the work that you mentioned and so it it would be greatly appreciated if you could reply with a link to it.
Blessings to you too!
In the meantime, for interested readers, here are Wiki links to the Satisfaction Theory of Atonement (expressed in my post) and the Christ Victor Theory of Atonement:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satisfaction_theory_of_atonement
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christus_Victor
For what it’s worth, blogsite https://errollmulder.wordpress. com
Check Archives, ‘CHRISTUS VICTOR’ parts 1-3, Jan. 22, 24, 29 2014. The atonement is so huge isn’t it, probably only grasp it fully in heaven!
Some other perspectives: see https://errollmulder.wordpress.com Check Archives for ‘CHRISTUS VICTOR’: ANOTHER LOOK AT THE ATONEMENT, in 3 parts, posted Jan. 22, 24, 29 2014. The atonement is such a great subject, I think only in heaven shall we fully understand!
Erroll, thanks for the link to your blog and the directions to your posts.
Yes, though there is so much to appreciate learning now, there is probably so much more that we will only fully understand in heaven.