"The Vengeance of God"
                                                                                              By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                              February 24, 2017
     "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
     To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God;  to comfort all that mourn;"  Isaiah 61:1-2.   
                                                       Introduction
     In my previous study entitled "The Rapture and the Wrath of God," I pointed out that the first half of the coming Tribulation period will be the time when "the wrath of the Lamb" is to be poured out upon mankind left on the earth, following the rapture of all true New Covenant believers, Revelation 6:15-16.  Then the last half of the Tribulation period will be the time when "the wrath of God" [God the Father] will be poured out upon unrepentant, Christ rejecting mankind.
     This seven years of wrath will come as a complete surprise to those living on the earth at that time, yet it shouldn't, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3.  Our God and Savior is a loving and merciful God, and without fail, has always warned fallen mankind in advance of the consequences of their sins.  Yet fallen mankind pays little to no attention to God's Word, and refuses to believe even what they may chance to hear of it, 1 Corinthians 2:14.  
     Nevertheless, the Lord Jesus Christ did warn mankind that a "day of vengeance," would come, Isaiah 61:2.  And that "day of vengeance" is the subject of this Bible study.  Join us for a study that hopefully will be both  enlightening and productive.......     
     The Need For Redemption
     Even before the Lord God created Adam and Eve, and placed them in the Garden of Eden, He knew that Adam would not obey His explicit command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Genesis 2:16-17. Yet in creating man in His own image and likeness [Genesis 1:26-27], it was necessary for God to create Adam with a freewill which would allow him to make his own choices.  Why?  Because God did not create robots!  God has a freewill and makes His own choices, and He created man in His own "image and likeness."    So the Lord God was not taken by surprise when Adam made his own choice to listen to his wife, rather than listening to Him.  .  
     But forseeing that Adam would disobey Him and bring upon all mankind sin and death [Romans 5:12], this  brought up the need for a redeemer to redeem fallen mankind.  The redeemer had to be a man, for it was man who sinned, and therefore only a man could redeem man. Then Christ Jesus, God's "only begotten Son," volunteered to become man [the second Adam, 1 Corinthians 15:45], and thereby the required Sacrifice for the sins of man; the Redeemer for all who would truly believe on Him, John 3:16; 5:24; Acts 16:30-31.  Glory to God!  What a Redeemer and Savior we believers have in Christ Jesus our Lord!     
Ordained from Eternity Past
      In Ephesians 1:4 we read, "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love."  
     This Scripture tells the true believer that Almighty God, knowing the end from the beginning [Acts 15:18], had already foreseen the need of redemption for fallen mankind,  had already determined the way of redemption [John 14:6; Revelation 13:8], and already knew,  even before He laid the foundation upon which He created the earth, who would and who would not believe when they were confronted with the gospel of Christ.  Based on His foreknowledge, He determined to save all who would truly place their faith in His Son [John 3:16], the Lord Jesus Christ,  who would be the sacrifice for the sins of the world.   Folks, this reveals the greatness and majesty of the living God of the Bible.  Praise the Lord!  Glory to God!  Hallelujah!  
The Crucifixion of Christ
     Even some true believers who have read in their Bible about the crucifixion of Christ, have never taken the time to really meditate upon what was involved in the suffering and crucifixion of our Lord.  Hopefully, the Lord God will give the grace to impress this event on the
hearts and minds of our readers as never before.......
     The crucifixion of Christ was the most terrible time of physical, mental, and emotional abuse ever experienced by any human being in all of human history.   
     By carefully studying and comparing all four of the gospel accounts, we can determine that Christ Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of the Lord's "familiar friends" [Psalm 41:9], arrested, and falsely accused. Then He was spit upon, slapped and beaten with the hands of His persecutors, scourged [whipped], beaten by the fists of the Roman soldiers, a crown of thorns was placed on His head, and then He was struck on the head with a rod, driving the thorns down into the flesh beneath His scalp.  He shed so much blood, that He was literally immersed in His own blood; the baptism of blood spoken of in Matthew 20:20-23, Mark 10:35-39, and Luke 12:50.  After many hours of such abuse, He then was literally nailed to a cross, piercing both His hands and His feet, and the cross was raised and dropped into the hole prepared for it atop Mt. Calvary.    
     The inspired Word clearly states, that as a result of such extreme abuse, He no longer even resembled a human being.  "As many were astonied [astonished] at Thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men," Isaiah 52:14.   
      The cross, with Christ nailed to it, was erected at "the third hour " of the day [9 a.m......Mark 15:25], and the Lord was left hanging there in the heat of the Sun until "the ninth hour," [3 p.m.], Luke 23:44.  Six long hours He hung on the cross, bleeding from open, untreated, wounds, and suffering from dehydration due to loosing the moisture in His body.  During those six hours He was taunted, mocked, and ridiculed by the crowd who gathered around the cross to see this "terrible criminal" being executed by the Roman Empire.  
     The inspired Word clearly and repeatedly states and teaches that Christ Jesus suffered such terrible punishment as the totally innocent sacrifice to atone for the sins of all of fallen mankind.  In other words, He was suffering in the place of every reader of this study, including myself, being made the sacrifice which would redeem every true believer from their sin, Isaiah 53:10-11.  Those who will by faith accept His sacrifice on their behalf, can be cleansed of their sins, and restored to a right relationship with God, Romans 4:23-5:2; Ephesians 2:8-10.  
The Moment of His Death
     The crucifixion of Christ was so terrible that even the Heavenly Father refused to watch His Son suffer and die.  Father God did indeed turn His back on the cross, refusing to look upon it, as His Son died for us.  Listen to the screams of the Lord Jesus as He cried out to His Father, "My God,  My God,  why hast Thou forsaken Me?  why art Thou so far from helping Me, and from the words of My roaring?" Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34.   
     It is has been commonly taught in the churches and the ranks of Christianity in the past, that Father God turned His back on the cross, and refused to look on it at the moment Christ died.  It is claimed that this was because God is so pure and holy that He cannot and will not look upon sin [Habakkuk 1:13], and that Christ Jesus was being made sin in our place as He hung upon the cross, "2 Corinthians 5:21."  
     Dear readers, I do not deny that this may be one reason why Father God turned His back on the cross as "His only begotten Son" died in our place and for us.  However, I have never believed that this was the only reason Father God turned His back and refused to look upon His Son as He was dying at Calvary.  
     Seriously think about this!  Would any Father, who truly loved his son, enjoy watching his own son die in such a state of suffering and agony?  Well...???  
     Our Bible says that "...God is love;..." 1 John 4:16.  It was "love" for fallen mankind that motivated Father God to allow His Son to become "the second Adam," in order to pay the sin debt of humanity, John 3:16.  Even though Father God was well pleased that His Son was willing to become the sacrifice for the sins of mankind [Isaiah 53:10], does any reader really think that Father God enjoyed the suffering of His Son, and had no emotional feelings as His Son was suffering and dying at Calvary?  I can't believe that Father God enjoyed watching His Son die!  Rather, I can visualize our loving Father in deep sorrow and perhaps even weeping for His Son as He turned His back on the cross.
     No, I am not adding to or taking from what the Scriptures actually and literally say, Revelation 22:18-19.  God forbid!   I am well aware that the actual reason why Father God turned His back on the cross that day, as Christ suffered and died at Calvary, is not stated, to my knowledge, anywhere in the inspired Word.  Therefore I am only setting before our readers another view of why, Father God turned His back on His Son as Christ suffered and died that day.  The Lord God knows the love I have in my heart for Him, and for His Word, and knows that I would never add to or take from His Word for any reason.   
     But think about this!  If my view is not correct, and has no merit, then why is there a time appointed for Father God to take "vengeance" upon a Christ rejecting world, Isaiah 61:2?    
The Vengeance of God
     This word, "vengeance," is translated from three related Hebrew words in the Old Testament Scriptures.  The Hebrew words are, "naqam, naqam, [both with accent marks] and neqama."  But it is the meaning of these words that stands out.  These words literally mean, "to avenge; to be avenged; to avenge oneself; to seek or take revenge."  See Gesenius Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, pages 565-566, Strong's No's 5358, 5359, and 5360.  When one reads the Scriptures where this word is used, it becomes obvious that God is going to "revenge" the death of His Son upon those of mankind who regard the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ as no more than an ancient event, and nothing to be concerned about.    
      These three Hebrew words occur a total of 42 times in the Old Testament.  "42" is the Bible number sigifying "the coming of Christ."   This tells us the time when "the day of vengeance" will occur; that is, at, or in connection with, the second coming of Christ.   In other words, during the seven year Tribulation period, following the rapture of all New Covenant believers.  At that time Father God is going to take "vengeance" upon the incorrigible wicked on the earth, for scorning and rejecting the sacrifice of His beloved Son in their behalf.  And what is the degree of "vengeance" which God is going to take?  I'm so glad you asked!  
The Law of Reproduction
     In the very first chapter of the inspired Word, the Lord God set forth the Law of Reproduction.  "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth, and it was so," Genesis 1:11.  This expression, "after his kind," occurs 10 times in this first chapter of the Bible.  "10" is the Bible number signifying "Law; the Law of God."   So it is established by God that every living thing should reproduce "after his kind."  
     To make this very clear to our readers, when one sows wheat seed in their field, it is wheat that comes up, not some other grain.  When an animal, such as a dog, gives birth, its offspring is a dog, not some other species of animal.  Every living thing reproduces "after his kind," according to the Law set in place by God Himself in the very beginning.  
     Yes, wicked men have done everything they know to do to prove this Law of Reproduction wrong, and prove their fool theory of evolution to be right.  However, nothing they have ever tried has changed God's Law of Reproduction, not even one iota.  
     Now some thirty years ago, or more, evolutionary scientists glowingly announced to the public that they had proven the theory of evolution.  Their claim was based on their having bombarded a rose bush producing white roses, with radiation to the extent that it produced a black rose.  And they claimed this proved that evolution was possible.  Hogwash!  A silly claim from silly little men.  
     Any thinking person knows that mutations within species have occurred throughout human history, and still occur today.  But mutations within species are not the same as changing a living thing from one species to another species.  Now if their white rose bush had produced water melons or cucumbers or black eyed peas, they might have convinced me that evolution is possible.  But their white rose bush produced another rose.  So it was a black rose!  Big deal!  It was still a rose!  With all of their massive efforts, scientists have never come up with even one single example of actual evolution.  None!  God's Law of Reproduction still stands today as true and firm as when the Lord God set it in place.  Every living thing still reproduces "after his kind."  
      I have gone to some length to emphasize this truth, because this natural law sets forth an even greater spiritual truth.  The Apostle Paul, in the New Testament, used this same Law of Reproduction to remind people,  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," Galatians 6:7.   The Lord Jesus Himself honored this Law, when He set forth the Beatitudes.  For instance, He said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy," Matthew 6:7.  Over and over again the Scriptures  set forth this truth; whatsoever a person does or says, or however they choose to live [their normal lifestyle], is what they are going to reap later in their life.   It can be either good or bad, depending on what one is sowing in life.  Are you treating others, like you would want to be treated?  Take heed!  
     When the Harvest Comes
     For most of human history, wicked people have sown wickedness and rebellion against the Lord God who created them, and even against each other.  This has never been more evident than it is today in these "latter times" or "last days."
     Dear readers, I am now 83 years of age, and I have never previously seen the whole world in such a state of wickedness, rebellion, and HATE, against God and His Word, as it is in today.  Sadly, this wickedness has even infiltrated the churches and the ranks of Christianity, and it shows!      
     Well dear readers, the Lord God gave mankind six days [6,000 years...2 Peter 3:8] of human history in which to do all their works on the earth, Exodus 20:9; 23:12; 31:15; 34:21; 35:2; Leviticus 23:3; Deuteronomy 5:13; Luke 13:14.  The six days or six thousand years are up! And what kind of crop has mankind produced on the earth?  Idolatry, witchcraft, adultery, fornication, murder, cheating, lying, stealing, wickedness, rebellion, war, and disease, Revelation 9:20-21. What a miserable mess mankind has made of their opportunity to prove their "greatness" before God who created them!  And now the time for the harvest has arrived!    
The Day When God takes Revenge
     Study very carefully Revelation 14:6-20, and see for yourself what God's Word has to say about the harvest. Verses 6-7 sets forth the timing of this event; the last half of the Tribulation period.  Notice in 14:20, that the blood of the slain on the earth will reach a depth equivalent to the heighth of the bridles on the war horses that shall be used in the final battle of Armageddon, Revelation 14:20; 16:16; 19:11-21.  I suggest also reading Isaiah 66:15-16, Jeremiah 25:32-33, and Ezekiel 39:17-21.   
     Folks, this amounts to the fact that every single unbeliever left on this earth following the rapture, who will not repent and turn to the Lord for salvation, is going to die a horrible death during the Tribulation period. By the end of the Tribulation, not one Christ rejecting unbeliever will be left alive on the earth.  And as these who have mocked and ridiculed and laughed at and scorned the death of Christ, obstinately refusing to believe that Christ's death at Calvary provided God's way of salvation for them, so God will "laugh" when they are screaming and dying in their wicked unbelief.  
     Read it for yourself in Proverbs 1:24-33, "Because I have called, and
ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
     But ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof:
     I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
     When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.  
     Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me:  
     For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
     They would none of My counsel: they despised all My reproof.  
     Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.  [Galatians 6:7-8]
     For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
     But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."   
     Dear readers, the Lord God will be cleansing the earth in preparation for His glorious Millennial Kingdom, which will follow the Tribulation period.  No unclean thing, or person, will be allowed to enter into the Lord's glorious Kingdom, Matthew 13:38-43.   This includes those of mankind who obstinately refuse to be cleansed of their sin, by faith in the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for them at Calvary some 2,000 years ago.  Father God, will take "vengeance" upon all who count the sacrifice of Christ in their behalf as only something to be mocked, ridiculed, and ignored.    
     Folks, the inspired Word still says, "For the wages of sin is death;....," Romans 6:23.  The wages of sin have never changed in all of human history.  Those unbelievers who choose to live in sin and rebellion against God, counting the sacrifice of Christ an unholy thing, will receive the wages of their wicked works, whether they presently believe it or not.  Payday for the rejection of Christ is almost here!  Are you listening!
     Something else that has never changed is God's "way" of salvation.  
     "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house," Acts 16:30-31.  
      "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me," John 14:6.  
    "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," Acts 4:12.  
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     Permission is granted to any true believer or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.  
     Thank you again, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, for your prayers and gifts for  me and for this Bible Study ministry.  They are appreciated so very much.  Thank you!  Thank you!  
     Please address all comments, questions, and correspondence to me at: Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 County Road 8120, Rolla, Missouri 65401, or for those who prefer to call, I can be best be reached at 573-201-0491.  
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