Last time we reached the end of chapter 1 of 1 Thessalonians. Before moving on to chapter 2 I want to pause with the phrase that comes right at the end of chapter 1: “Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.”
We don’t like to think of God’s anger, wrath or fury. We like to think of a loving and caring God who welcomes us into his presence. But Paul mentions this wrath more than once in his letters (more that once in this letter, in fact) so it’s in the Bible, and we need to try to understand it.
Firstly, note that (at least in 1 Thessalonians 1.10) the wrath is not explicitly defined as God’s wrath.
Many commentators have interpreted it that way, however, so the question arises of how God’s anger or fury sits with the loving God we prefer to think of. I think Tom Wright is helpful here:
People sometimes ask how a loving God can also be angry. Looking back at the inhumane and brutal twentieth century, one has to say that a good and loving God must be angry when faced with such wickedness. But, though this time of wrath will surely come, Jesus himself will deliver his people from it. That was central to the Christian hope in the first century, and remains central today.*
Brian Zahnd takes a different view, understanding that the wrath Paul refers to is the rage that can build up in us when we lose touch with the ways of God. He says that “By his blood Jesus saves us from “the wrath,” because in his forgiving death Jesus provides a place for rage to die.” He makes some very practical suggestions for inhabiting the peace of Jesus rather than the rage of this age, including praying more (using the Psalms to take our anger to God), getting outdoors more, and getting enough sleep! I think this is helpful too.
However we understand the wrath that is coming, Paul is clear that Jesus saves us from it. Zahnd quotes Psalm 4.8: In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe – Hallelujah!
*Paul for Everyone: Galatians and Thessalonians, p.93