People get mad sometimes. They get angry over many things. Why?
God gets mad sometimes. He gets mad over just a few things. Why?
Heathen are classified by original wording to be “idol worshipers” and “rebellers against God”
Psalm 2 says: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”
Man’s rebellious spirit has always been tough to tame. Man doesn’t necessarily like authority, and pretty much wants to control his own destiny. We have to look at the origination of the conflict; because without that, there can be no perspective. God in the spirit world, creates everything physical. Satan rebels against God, and is cast out of heaven with a lot of angels. God creates the heavens and the earth, and Satan hates anything that God has to do with. So, Satan attacks the creation with lies, deception, trickery, intensity, substitutional wealth and worship, lust, and time demands. There are more, but those are substantial. And people are the epitome of God’s creation.
When God brings order under Abraham, and begins the separation of people that He calls “His”; things get intense. It seems the ones not chosen to be God’s people back then had different reactions. Some were ready to attack physically to see if God would protect them. Many populations sought to bring them under subjection, but failed because God took care of them. But even “His” people failed God sometimes due to all the distractions.
So “rage” is what happens when a boiling point is reached. The difference between rage and anger is that most anger is in control with sharp intensity. But rage crosses the line of control and becomes almost rabid in its response. Jesus overturned the money tables at the temple due to the disrespect of prayer from “His” people. There was no rage, but justifiable anger. But when heather rage, things get out of control.
Look at many situations in the current age. Rage seems to be everywhere. Why? What’s different about this worldwide unrest? Is God not in control anymore? When the Scripture is embraced in its entirety, the picture becomes clear. The Bible predicts “good” being called “bad”, and “bad” being called “good” in the last days. Since we know that the “last days” are somewhat undefined, we can surely detect upheavals more now than in any time ever. There WILL be an end to things. It will come in decisive stages, and they will increase in frequency and intensity. Jesus is going to return in the clouds. We have to be ready. He will be gathering His people up in a massive show of power, fulfilment, rescue, and completion. The heathen will celebrate the absence of those pesky Christians who interfere with their debauchery, hedonism, lawlessness, greed, anarchy, and wickedness.
The heathen will not celebrate for long when they realize the seriousness of their decision to turn their backs on God. Then it will be revealed that they had been deceived by the great deceiver. THEN, the rage will be off the charts.
What are we to do now? When the heathen rage now, love them. When they are unruly, love them. When they tear you down, love them. Remember God’s Holy Spirit can annihilate them instantly. So do not fear, use that intense power God has given each of His believers to meet those raging people with solid, yet compassionate structure of Jesus sacrifice on the cross.
As I talk with homeless people in downtown Cincinnati, the name of Jesus brings a peace to their hearts. Clothes are given out, hot food distributed, bottle water soothes parched throats, and calm voices of encouragement break through the cages of despair. Jesus does that. He is the One who reaches into their hearts. Thank You, Lord; for showing me how YOU counteract the rage……