The only one who can truly change the heart of an individual is Jesus. When we see people in society being set up by others who are puppet masters sent to destroy humanity, we can understand whose children these manipulators belong to. How can we tell who the children of the Living God are? Can we tell who the children of wrath are as well? Some subjects in the Bible are rather clear cut, meaning that there is no gray area. This is one of those subjects. The children of the Living God are not the only one’s playing in the sandbox.
There are several Greek words used for children and they all have a very specific understanding. We know that one weakness in our translations is that English is not nearly as specific as the Greek language, so we do not always get the full meaning of the Greek text. This is why people get confused on many subjects, especially the subject of wrath. It is also the way that the enemy uses people to speak vain or empty words to confuse the innocent children of the Living God. The Apostle Paul suggests that we grow up so as not to end up following after intentional and cunningly devised fables.
Matthew 5:9 (KJV) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
People who make peace are called the children of God. The word uihos means ‘descendant or kin’. This can be a person who is an adult son or daughter, or a teenage son or daughter. This word is typically translated as “children”, but we are not really speaking of young children but anyone who has parents.
Matthew 5:9G3107Blessed are G3588the G1518peacemakers, G3754for G1473they G5207[sons G2316of God G2564shall be called].
5207 LSJ Gloss:υἱός A son
Dodson: υἱός a son, descendent.
Thayer:
1) a son
1a) rarely used for the young of animals
1b) generally used of the offspring of men
1c) in a restricted sense, the male offspring (one born by a father and of a mother)
1d) in a wider sense, a descendant, one of the posterity of any one,
1d1) the
υἱός
uihos hwee-os' Apparently a primary word; a “son” (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figurative kinship KJV Usage: child, foal, son.
Someone who is a son or daughter of the Living God makes peace. Well that is rather simple, but there is more. Children of the Living God are expected to behave a certain way when someone acts poorly.
Matthew 5:43-45 (KJV)
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children [5207] of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Jesus tells us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who use us and persecute us. If one is truly a descendant of the Father one would live in this manner. It is not a natural instinct to react to enemies as Jesus suggests, but it is a lifestyle that can be learned or achieved. It is dependent on how much of Jesus we have in our heart.
Kings and rulers don’t make their own children pay taxes. Jesus is not suggesting that we don’t have to pay taxes, he is suggesting our Heavenly Father will not treat us as if we are subjects in his kingdom, but instead like sons and daughters.
Matthew 17:24-27 (KJV)
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children [5207], or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children [5207] free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Jesus doesn’t spell everything out. He simply says “the children are free”. Jesus is not inferring that only the children of the king are free, but that the children of the Living God are free. The children in the Heavenly Fathers kingdom are not slaves, servants, or hired help; the children of the Living God are His children, they are free. Don’t be fooled. Just because there is a throne and a heavenly temple does not mean that His children are like Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion attempting to talk to the Great Oz. We are His children.
The word paidion means ‘young child between infancy and the age of the teen years’. Jesus explains the Heavenly Kingdom differently. We are to be like young children.
Matthew 18:1-6 (KJV)
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child [3813] unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children [3813], ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child [3813], the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child [3813] in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
3813 LSJ Gloss:παιδίον a little
Dodson: παιδίον a little child, an infant a little child, an infant, little one.
Thayer:
1) a young child, a little boy, a little girl
1a) infants
1b) children, little ones
1c) an infant
1c1) of a (male) child just recently born
1d) of a more advanced child; of a mature child;
1e) metaph. children (like children) in intellect
For Synonyms see entry G5868
παιδίον
paidion pahee-dee'-on Neuter diminutive of G3816; a childling (of either sex), that is, (properly) an infant, or (by extension) a half grown boy or girl; figuratively an immature Christian KJV Usage: (little, young) child, damsel.
First, we are told to be converted. The word converted means to “turn around, reverse; to change or to change direction.” Then we are to become like children. When we look at a baby we realize that they are innocent, they do not think in complex thoughts. They are not scheming and planning treachery. Babies are new to everything. They are learning, they are curious, and they engage with their mom and dad. Their needs are basic and simple.
When people brought their children to Jesus so that he could pray for them the disciples didn’t think children were worth Jesus’ time. Children were important to Jesus; enough so that he laid hands on them and prayed.
Matthew 19:13-15 (KJV)
13 Then were there brought unto him little children [3813], that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children [3813], and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Such is the kingdom of heaven. This is the way the kingdom of heaven is. It is like little children coming to Jesus. It is like someone who is willing to lay hands on another and pray. There is innocence and there is nurture.
We know that sometimes children are more perceptive in spiritual matters than adults. We see children here as a different word, pais meaning ‘a child who is old enough to be a servant’. I’m not sure what age was appropriate to be a servant, but we could guess maybe as young as seven. So this group was not babies crying, but school aged children old enough to understand who Jesus was.
Matthew 21:14-17 (KJV)
14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children [3816] crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
3816 LSJ Gloss: παῖςa child
Dodson: παῖς a boy or girl child
(a) a male child, boy, (b) a male slave, servant; thus: a servant of God, especially as a title of the Messiah, (c) a female child, girl.
Thayer:
1) a child, boy or girl
1a) infants, children
2) servant, slave
2a) an attendant, servant, spec. a king's attendant, minister
For Synonyms see entry G5868
παῖς
pais paheece Perhaps from G3817; a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy) a girl, and (generally) a child; specifically a slave or servant (especially a minister to a king; and by eminence to God) KJV Usage: child, maid (-en), (man) servant, son, young man.
Jesus stood in the outer courts healing the lame and the blind. The school aged children were calling out loudly or screaming “Hosanna to the Son of David”. The priests and scribes were not very happy. Since Jesus knew they weren’t very happy with him healing the lame and blind, Jesus did something that seems quite insulting to the hostile chief priests and scribes. Jesus looks them square in the face, points to the school aged children and says ‘Yes, I hear them, haven’t you ever read Psalm 8:2?’ Then Jesus left. Ouch, that must have hurt the hostile chief priests and scribes. Why would the adults hate Jesus for healing people? Meanwhile, the school aged children in the temple courts, screamed praises. The school aged children were celebrating Jesus. The children were more excited about the healing than the religious leaders.
We have another word for children used, teknon, meaning ‘a descendent but an intimate one’. This is children and parents in a mutual relationship bonded by love. Now when we see this word used we see Jesus’ heart for Jacob’s heirs.
Matthew 23:37-39 (KJV)
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children [5043] together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
5043 LSJ Gloss:τέκνον that which is borne
Dodson: τέκνον a child, descendent, inhabitant.
Thayer:
1) offspring, children
1a) child
1a) a male child, a son
1b) metaph.
1b1) the name transferred to that intimate and reciprocal relationship formed between men by the bonds of love, friendship, trust, just as between parents and children
1b2) in affectiona
τέκνον
teknon tek'-non From the base of G5088; a child (as produced) KJV Usage: child, daughter, son.
The parent/child relationship is an intimate one, which includes love. Parents want to protect their children and that is the relationship Jesus is trying to communicate here. He loves the Israelites like a parent loves a child. Jesus would have liked to protect and nurture the Israelites. They will eventually recognize what they missed when they call out for Him, saying “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”.
Paul uses this parent/child idea when he speaks of children. God is the parent, we are the children in Paul’s explanation of us being children of God. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches our spirit this because we have received the Spirit of adoption.
Romans 8:15-18 (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children [5043] of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
5LSJ Gloss: Ἀββᾶ father
Dodson: Ἀββᾶ Father Abba, Father.
Thayer:
1) father, customary title used of God in prayer. Whenever it occurs in the New Testament it has the Greek interpretation joined to it, that is apparently to be explained by the fact that the Chaldee "ABBA" through frequent use in prayer, gradually acquired the nature of a most sacred proper name, to which the Greek speaking Jews added the name from their own tongue.
Literal: Abba = "father"
Ἀββᾱ
Abba ab-bah' Of Chaldee origin [H2]; father (as a vocative) KJV Usage: Abba.
3962LSJ Gloss: πατήρ a father
Dodson: πατήρ father, Father, ancestor father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior.
Thayer:
1) generator or male ancestor
1a) either the nearest ancestor: father of the corporeal nature, natural fathers, both parents
1b) a more remote ancestor, the founder of a family or tribe, progenitor of a people, forefather: so Abraham is called, Jacob and
πατήρ
patēr pat-ayr' Apparently a primary word; a “father” (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) KJV Usage: father, parent.
We have been adopted as children of the Living God. Now we can expressly say “Father! Father!” Abba is a Chaldean word, it is an intimate usage of “Father in prayer”. Imagine what it would be like to grow up in an orphanage, and then you are chosen to be the child of your adopted parent. From that day on, when your adopted father walks into the room your heart swells with love, in thankfulness, that you are the adopted child of that father. You belong. That is the picture we should have of our Heavenly Father. We can cry out, in the most intimate words, Father! Father! We are heirs of our Father. We are joint heirs with his Son Jesus the Anointed. Therefore we receive the same benefits as Jesus because we were adopted. We belong.
Paul tells us that the entire creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. The word sons here is uihos, ‘people who are descendants and offspring’. The translation is a little quirky in the KJV, the Greek makes it more clear. The entire creation is watching with intense expectation as to who the sons of God are.
Romans 8:19-22 (KJV)
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons [5207] of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children [5043] of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Romans 8:19G3588For the G1063 G603earnest expectation G3588of the G2937creation G3588[2the G6023uncovering G35884of the G52075sons G3588 G23166of God G5531awaits].
20G3588 G1063For G3153to vanity G3588the G2937creation G5293was submitted, G3756not G1635willingly, G235but G1223through G3588the one G5293submitting it, G1909upon G1680hope;
21G3754that G2532even G1473[3itself G35881the G29372creation] G1659shall be freed G575from G3588the G1397slavery G3588 G5356of corruption, G1519unto G3588the G1657freedom G3588of the G1391glory G3588of the G5043children G3588 G2316of God.
22G1492For we know G1063 G3754that G3956all G3588the G2937creation G4959groans together, G2532and G4944suffers distress together, G891as far as G3588the G3568present
Because the creation will be freed from the slavery of corruption, the creation waits in excited anticipation for the revealing of the sons of God. Revealed or uncovered is the word apokalupsis. The same word as apocalypse, revelation. Apocalypse literally means something that has been stolen and hidden by a klepto, or kleptomaniac. Who is the kleptomaniac who has stolen and hidden this secret? The same kleptomaniac who has forced creation into corruption. This is why the creation groans and suffers distress, or groans and travails in pain until the day the sons of God are apocalypsed (revealed), then the creation will be freed. Paul says that the descendants will be revealed and then there will be freedom for creation in the glory of the children (those in the parent child relationship) of God. So there is freedom for all of creation in revealing the descendants who are the adopted children of God
Paul explains the prophet Hosea, that there will be people that God will call His who were not originally His, and those people will be called His beloved and also called children of the Living God.
Romans 9:25-29 (KJV)
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children [5207] of the living God.
Children of the Living God. The nations that believe on the Living God are adopted as sons and daughters. The same people who believe by faith are made righteous and are the descendants of Abraham.
Galatians 3:6-7 (KJV)
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children [5207] of Abraham.
People become heirs of Abraham by having the same faith that Abraham had, and then those same people who have faith in Christ Jesus are all children of God.
Galatians 3:26 (KJV)
26 For ye are all the children [5207] of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
This is why it is only Jesus who can change the heart of an individual. It is by faith in Christ Jesus that we become the children of the Living God, and as children it is important that we grow up into adulthood in the faith of Christ Jesus. Then our actions can start to align with His words.
Ephesians 1:4-5 (KJV)
4 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:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
In this context, the word children is not actually in the text, but it is the word adoption that carries the implication. The sons and daughters of the Living God are holy and without blame. Jesus made our adoption possible and now we are part of the family of God.
While this is all sunshine and roses for those who confess Jesus as Lord, there are other children in the neighborhood who are not adopted by the Living God. They are children of their father.
There are two Psalms of David which start out reading almost the same. The Lord God looks down from heaven upon the children, offspring/descendants, of men. He is looking for those who understand and seek Him.
Psalm 14:1-3 (KJV)
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children [5207] of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Psalm 53:1-3 (KJV)
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children [5207] of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
It is a pretty damning song. None, not even one person is seeking the Living God. They are fools. From David’s perspective, there are no other people groups seeking the Lord God. Imagine the immense responsibility it was for David to try and keep Israel connected to the Living God, knowing that were weren’t any other nations seeking Him.
Paul uses the contrast of people as dark and light. Those who are offspring of light are of the Living God, adopted into the family. Those who are not of the family of light are in darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-9 (KJV)
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children [5207] of light, and the children [5207] of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
We have a responsibility being apart of the family of light. The context is the Day of the Lord, the apocalypse of Jesus as Christ, the day the Lord comes back with his armies. The sons of light won’t be overtaken. They instead will be with the Lord at the time of the Day of the Lord. The revealing (apocalypse) of the Lord to the world is one aspect of that Day, the other aspect is the revealing (apocalypse) of the children of the Living God. When the armies of the Lord are revealed, they won’t just be revealed to the people of earth, but to every evil and malicious spiritual being that has been blinding and tormenting earthlings. Every spiritual being along with every human on earth will be in fear of the two apocalypses’ on that day.
If we remember Solomon’s words, there are people who make a covenant with death for the pleasures of this life.
Wisdom 1:12 Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands. 13 For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living. 14 For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth: 15 (For righteousness is immortal:) 16 But ungodly men with their works and words called it (death) to them: for when they thought to have it (death) their friend, they consumed to nought, and made a covenant with it (death), because they are worthy to take part with it (death).
Chapter 2 of the Wisdom of Solomon goes on to tell us why they make this covenant with death and what things they do to the righteous. Then Solomon tells us their own wickedness blinded them.
Wisdom 2:21 Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness hath blinded them. 22 As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls.
23 For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. 24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his (the devil’s) side do find it (death).
Anyone who makes a covenant with death or takes hold of the devil’s side will be in darkness. But it is by one’s own freedom of will that this happens. Just like the deliberate decision to be a son of the Living God is a deliberate decision we make, and then we are adopted by His decision. Jesus gives us a good perspective of how this happens. One group proselytizes another, be it dark groups or light groups.
Matthew 23:15 (KJV)
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child [5207] of hell than yourselves.
There are rewards for recruiting people into either family, the family of light or the family of darkness. For those recruiting people into the family of darkness, their rewards are given now, on the earth. For the family of light, rewards are given later when we become immortal. The descendants of disobedience follow after the prince of the power of the air.
Ephesians 2:2-3 (KJV)
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children [5207] of disobedience [543]:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children [5043] of wrath [3709], even as others.
543LSJ Gloss: ἀπείθεια disobedience
Dodson: ἀπείθεια willful unbelief, obstinacy, disobedience.
Thayer:
1) obstinacy, obstinate opposition to the divine will
ἀπείθεια
apeitheia ap-i'-thi-ah From G545; disbelief (obstinate and rebellious) KJV Usage: disobedience, unbelief.
3709LSJ Gloss: ὀργή natural impulse
Dodson: ὀργή anger, wrath, passion anger, wrath, passion; punishment, vengeance.
Thayer:
1) anger, the natural disposition, temper, character
2) movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger
3) anger, wrath, indignation
4) anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment itself
4a) of punishments inflicted by magistrates
ὀργή
orgē or-gay' From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment KJV Usage: anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.
Just like the children of light have a parent/child relationship with the Living God, the children of wrath have a parent/child relationship with the prince of the power of the air. Orphans look for a place to belong, a group, a family, someone to adopt them. This is why some people willfully become obstinate or rebellious to divine will, the will of the Living God, who wills that man be immortal and that none should die. The descendants of disobedience don’t care about the future, they make the willful decision to perish forever. The children of wrath suffer the same fate that their father does. Notice how curt Jesus is with the Pharisees and Jews.
John 8:39-47 (KJV)
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
If they were of Abraham they would be children by faith. They were not truly of Abraham because they did not love the healing Jesus did. They were mistaken as to who their father was. These people were not the Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes or Prophets, they had been following a false religion and tradition for just over two hundred years. That is why they could not understand Jesus’ words. The devil is the father of lies and they and their earthly families all believed the lies.
Paul would like us not to be babies who are tossed around with every crazy idea and scheme and plan of evil men. This word nepios means ‘a baby that does not have language skills yet’. They are able to scream and cry but they cannot tell their parents what they want or need. This is a reference to the young age of the disciples.
Ephesians 4:14 (KJV)
14 That we henceforth be no more children [3516], tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
3516LSJ Gloss: νήπιος not yet speaking
Dodson: νήπιος an infant, child, unlearned unlearned, unenlightened; noun: an infant, child.
Thayer:
1) an infant, little child
2) a minor, not of age
3) metaph. childish, untaught, unskilled
νήπιος
nēpios nay'-pee-os From an obsolete particle νη ne ; implying negation and G2031; not speaking, that is, an infant (minor); figuratively a simple minded person, an immature Christian KJV Usage: babe, child (+ -ish).
Those proselytizing children for wrath are looking for young babies who have not developed language skills. We should not act like young babies without language skills either. We should grow up so that we are not listening to people who want to derail our faith.
Ephesians 5:6-7 (KJV)
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children [5207] of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Vain words are “empty words”. This is why wrath comes upon the children of disobedience. They speak empty, hollow, words. There is always a superstition and a vague “prophecy” to tickle the ears. Do not be partakers with them. Paul also tells us to kill or make dead our evil members upon the earth, meaning deaden ourselves to lusts and evil passions. We were once like the world in this aspect.
Colossians 3:6-7 (KJV)
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children [5207] of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
The wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience, the children of unbelief. This is an important point. There are many people speaking empty words, claiming that the adopted sons and daughters of the Living God will have to go through the tribulation. As we have studied previously, the first three and one half years of the tribulation is called the wrath of the Lamb. The second three and one half years is called the wrath of God. The children of the Living God are seen in heaven, the dead in Christ who rose, and the living who were on the earth all are watching the Lamb take the scroll and open the seals. Wrath cannot come on the saints who are singing about being redeemed by Jesus’ blood and being made kings and priests. Wrath, both the wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of God come upon the children of disobedience. Remember that we were at one time like them. The time of wrath is for those who do not believe on or choose the Living God as their father. The adopted children have another mission during this seven year period. The point and summation to keep in mind is that the children of the Living God are not appointed to wrath. The children of the prince of this world are appointed to wrath.
Let’s take a quick look at wrath, what do we see?
Romans1:18 wrath is against ungodliness and unrighteousness
Romans 2:5 wrath is for hard heartedness on the day of wrath
Romans 2:8 wrath for contentious and unrighteous
Romans 4:15 the law works wrath
Romans 5:9 the righteous are saved from wrath
Romans 9:22 the potter can show his wrath to the vessels of wrath
Romans 12:19 don’t avenge yourself, give place to the wrath of God
Romans 13:4 rulers are executors of wrath upon those who do evil
Romans 13:5 be subject to the rulers not only because of wrath but for your own conscience.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come
1 Thessalonians 2:16 the Jews were forbidding the proselytizing of the Gentiles so that they could be saved, the wrath will come upon those Jews to the uttermost.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 we are not appointed to wrath but salvation through Christ Jesus.
The time that the wrath of the Lamb is declared is when the sixth seal is opened. Where are the saints? Watching the seals being opened and interceding for the people of earth.
Revelation 6:16-17 (KJV)
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Next we see the wrath of God. Where are the saints? This is after the coronation of Jesus as receiving the kingdoms of the world. The saints have received their rewards and the bride is making herself ready.
Revelation 15:7 (KJV)
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 16:1 (KJV)
1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Now we see the “Day of the Lord”, the day that the Lord comes with the saints. That great and notable day is the wrath of the Almighty God executed via Jesus and His bride.
Revelation 19:15 (KJV)
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Now, at this time Jesus is apocalypsed’ (revealed) and the sons of God are apocalypsed’. Therefore all creation will be set free from the bondage of corruption.
This is a very clear cut subject. Wrath is for the children of wrath, the disobedient ones who make the prince of this world their father. The adopted ones are not subject to wrath and are spared from wrath. It is like a child of the king who has the right to sit on his or her fathers lap when he sits on his throne. The child of the Living God enjoys every right and privilege because Jesus redeemed them unto adoption. Those adopted children are not servants or slaves, nor are they subservient to the other sons of God. Jesus is not jealous of having brothers and sisters who share in his inheritance. Jesus is sharing his inheritance with us, willingly and intentionally.
We should consider Sirach, the familiarity of this as compared to the wheat and the tares, or the sower and the seed.
Sirach 40:15-16 (KJVApocrypha)
15 The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.
16 The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass.
The children of light are not appointed to wrath, the wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of God is only for the children of darkness. If we understand this subject, we can clearly see and understand the plan of the prince of this world. We can also see through those who would intentionally mislead us with empty words. This subject makes clear the destiny of the children of the Living God. One day the children of the Most High will be revealed.
