In Greek, the word translated 'wrath' in the passage from Revelation is the word thumos, meaning "passion (as if breathing hard)." It can be translated"fierceness, indignation, and wrath," and it comes from the root word thuo, meaning "rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke). Thuo can be translated "kill, (do) sacrifice, slay."
I began to see that perhaps my fear of God's wrath is unwarranted. Isn't it true that we have been taught to believe that the end times will be frightening beyond measure? Have you, like me, ever had that feeling when someone isn't where you expect them to be that you've been left behind? I am convinced that Holy Spirit is trying to teach me that nothing should terrify me, not even Father God or the end times.
The dictionary defines wrath as "belligerence aroused by a real or perceived wrong" and "intense anger on an epic scale." Passion is defined as "a powerful emotion such as love or anger" and "something that produces a strong enthusiasm or interest in you" and "the painful death of Jesus Christ, according to the Bible."
This growing sense of wonder and affection for a God who has done everything for me was further confirmed as I read Hebrews 12:18-29:
"You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: 'If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.' The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, 'I am trembling with fear.'
"But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.
"You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel [also spilled on the ground].
"See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he promised, 'Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.'
"The words 'once more' indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"
The next passage is very long, so I will save it for tomorrow. Until then, I pray that your thoughts will turn more and more to His sprinkled blood which has made you perfect.
~Angela
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