I’m going out on a limb here to presume at some point in your life, you probably have seen one of those spy-thriller movies where a ‘mysterious figure’ is meeting on a dark street corner or rooftop to reveal some secrets to the ‘enemy’...but before they get the vital info out of their mouth, a ‘red dot’ suddenly appears on their forehead and you know what is about to happen: the contents of their skull exits out of the back of their head just before they slump over. I know, horribly graphic and uncalled for. But I would make the case that this ‘red dot’ is what it means to have the ‘wrath of God’ abiding upon you. (John 3:36)

Now before you bow up in shock or defense, allow me to explain. I would submit to you that understanding this idea of what God’s ‘wrath’ actually is, might make the message of God’s gospel...truly ...’good news’ in which you will appreciate that much more. And I am in no way trying to portray God as some ‘hit man’ or ‘assassin’ hiding in the shadows ready to ‘take you out’. But someone else is, and you would do well to have your Bible out and take some notes. 1 Pet. 5:8 and Eph. 4:27 might be good to not only read, but also draw a deep sense of what the tone of those passages are suggesting.

Take a look at a short exchange Jesus had with some folks in Luke 13:1-5, and take your time with it. An inquiry was made as to why some Galileans had ‘suffered’ some horrible things in their death. Look how Jesus responded to their question. He begins with a question of His own: “Do you suppose these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?” (2)

How does He then answer His own question in vs. 3? It’s a pretty straight-forward answer if you ask me. But He does not stop there. Read on...

Jesus cites another example of unexpected tragedy that befell a group of 18 individuals. Again, the same question is posed to this same group, and again, Jesus answers His own question with the same response: “Do you suppose they were worse sinners than all other men? I tell you ‘no’, but unless you repent, you will all...likewise...perish.” His words, not mine.

We’ve been studying this idea of multiple ‘gospels’ being preached today, and unfortunately, leading many people astray. It’s important to note that the gospel Jesus came preaching was accompanied by a command that all men need to ‘repent’. (Mark 1:14-15; Matt. 4:17; Acts 17:30). And as we just read in that passage in Luke 13, Jesus gives clear warning as to what happens to those who fail to truly...repent. They will ...what ____?

As I stated, God is not some ‘assassin’; but guess who is? Jesus refers to him in one place as a ‘thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy’. (John 10:10) This ‘assassin’ is the same one who ‘takes men captive’, ‘holds in power’ and leads the ‘whole world’ astray. (2 Tim. 2:26; Acts 26:18; 1 John 5:19). And where this spiritual enemy (Eph. 6:12; 1 Pet. 5:8) ...is permitted... to ‘line up the red laser dot’...is wherever he sees or finds sin. Satan is... ‘the wrath of God’. (Ps. 78:49-50). There’s a reason why Paul admonishes us to ‘give no place’ to him in Eph. 4:27; and then warns in the very next chapter how we better not be ‘deceived’, because what can those who continue to sin expect to come upon them? (Eph. 5:6) And why are God’s people D-E-S-T-R-O-Y-E-D? (Hosea 4:6)

Which leads me to wrap up today with this: The power of the gospel of Christ is the truth that we can be set free from sin and ‘sin no more’...less something worse happens to us. (John 8:32-36; 5:14) But tragically...the gospel most have been taught to believe is we can never be set free from sin in this life. Hmm...I wonder who might be behind that ‘gospel’? (Gen. 3:1-5; 2 Cor. 11:3-4,14-15). Now go read 1 John 5:18 and join me back here tomorrow, Lord willing.