Is James 5 Referencing the Rapture?

Dr. Couch, is James 5:7-9 a rapture passage?

ANSWER: Yes, it is, for a number of reasons that I will explain below. Some have said it could not be a rapture passage because the word "rapture" is not in the verses. This is true but that is not a good argument. In fact the word we translate as "rapture" is only used one time in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and there it is translated as "to be caught up." The Greek word is harpazo that means to "snatch away," or "to jerk away." But the doctrine is actually taught in about 13 or more other passages of Scripture.

The same is true about the phrase "the second coming" in regard to Christ's return, His coming down to reign in Israel as the Davidic King. That expression "the second coming" is used only one time in Hebrews 9:28 where it says that the Lord will "appear a second time" for deliverance. But hundreds of other passages tell us of His second coming to reign on earth.

James 5:7 speaks of the "coming of the Lord." James then goes on and speaks about the farmer who waits for the produce of the soil. The believers are to be patient and strengthen the heart "for the coming of the Lord is 'certain, guaranteed and in the hand, sure'" (eggus) (v. 8). Believers then are not to complain against each other because "the Judge (the Lord) is standing right at the door" (v. 9), and we could be judged for speaking against our fellow believer when He arrives.

The outstanding teacher on the rapture, Dr. John F. Walvoord, holds that this James passage is a rapture teaching. Since James was one of the earliest NT books, this is probably the first teaching on the subject.

Why is this a rapture passage?

Because believers in the church dispensation are warned that Christ is the Judge who presently standing right now at the door. If He came today, and I was mistreating a fellow believer, they "I will be judged when He walks in!" If I judge myself then I will not be judged. The Bema Judgment is for rewards whether we have done good or bad works. Paul writes: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one will be recompensed for his deeds in the body according to what he has done whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10).

Could this James 5:7-9 be a second coming passage? No, because those of us who are now in the church dispensation could see this take place, that is, His coming as Judge. There are two events that must take place before Christ's coming to rule in Jerusalem. (1) the rapture itself, and (2) the seven year tribulation, or the wrath of God on the earth after the church has gone to glory. Coming as Judge here in James has to do with the church and not His judgment upon the world.

This coming here in James is imminent for us, the present believers of the church dispensation. In that sense, we are not waiting for the second coming. We are waiting for the rapture "coming."

Dr. Paul Benware writes on the James passage and the rapture: "As the New Testament passages on the rapture were written; no signs were given that must be fulfilled. A normal reading of a number of Scripture passages leads to the conclusion that the writers of the New Testament believed in imminency. From James 5:7-9 Christ could return at any moment. … Therefore, in verse 8 James is declaring that the Lord Jesus 'has drawn near,' indicating that He may well appear at any moment. The verb "standing" in verse 9 is better translated 'has taken a stand.' The picture James paints is that of the Lord Jesus standing right a the door with His hand on the knob, ready to fling the door open at any moment and appear to us. The opening of this door may not be soon, but it is certainly seen as an imminent event. And because the Judge could appear at any moment, these believers are to live correctly."
—Dr. Mal Couch (2/11)

Salvation During the Tribulation

Dr. Couch, will people have an opportunity to be saved during the tribulation? ANSWER:  Yes, indeed, during every dispensation there is an opportunity to be saved. See Revelation 14:6-7. This may be the last chance for the lost to accept the gospel. In verse 6 it sounds like there is "another" gospel besides the one we all know about. But actually, the Greek text simply reads "having gospel (that is) eternal (gospel) to preach to those who live on the earth ..." The gospel of Christ is characterized as a gospel that lasts forever. It is eternal! And people are saved only by it no matter what dispensation they live in.    Notice the gospel will be preached to the entire earth, "to every nation and tribe and tongue and people." To believe is to "fear God, and give Him glory." "Judgment is coming, thus belief is to fear Him and worship Him. Notice how God is classified as the Creator, He "made the heaven and the earth, and sea and springs of water." While technically, the gospel is about the death and resurrection of Christ for sinners, the gospel encompasses a total presentation of the God who saves men. He made men as well, and, He is to be feared and worshiped.    Actually John wrote that "the hour of judgment came" (Aorist Tense, not a Perfect Tense). At the point of Revelation 14, it had already arrived, it was time for human judgment to begin. Men could not escape judgment, it had come upon the human race.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch  (1/11)

Confidence

Dr. Couch, what is the apostle John telling us in 1 John 4:17 about having confidence? ANSWER: John writes: "Love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world" Our confidence replaces fear when we stand before the Lord, as mentioned in verse 18. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected by love." Believers go before the Bema seat where our works are judged but not our eternal destiny. That issue is over as Paul says in Romans 8:1. "There is therefore now no condemnation, judgment (positional) for those who are in Christ Jesus." We now stand as positionally perfect in Christ though in our walk, in our experience, we still are living out our sins in this life. Our destiny is secure but our works are judged, and, we shall receive rewards for what we do in this life. The word "confidence" in Greek is "paresia" which means "to be fearless, to be cheerful, to have boldness and assurance." We can do this because all of our sins were taken care of at the cross. There is no judgment or an indictment against us because of the death of Christ in our behalf! Those who think they can lose their salvation remain in fear and have no confidence about their salvation. And, they do not know their Bible. They do not understand the difference between Positional Truth and Experiential Truth! They think that what they do determines their redemption. Rather, it is what Christ did for us that guarantees our salvation. There was nothing that we could do to please God; Christ had to do it all! Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (12/10)

Wrath of God

Dr. Couch, what is the wrath of God (being revealed) in Romans 1:18? ANSWER: "Being revealed" is the Greek word "apokalupto" and it means to "remove from being hidden." It is in the Present Passive Indicative form. "For the wrath (orgas) of God is right now being revealed." And it is being revealed against "all unrighteousness of men ..." In other words, people know what is evil among the human race. And there is a sense, not necessarily in detail, that there is a judgment coming from God against the same. Some go a step further with this verse and argue that it is saying that there is a knowledge of the fact that there is a final day of wrath right now being set forth, that will soon fall upon mankind. The seven year period of the coming tribulation is called "the wrath of God." On this verse the great scholar Nicoll says: "Wrath in the NT is usually prophetic, but in 1 Thess. 2:16 it refers to some historical judgment, and in John 3:36 it is the condemnation of the sinner by God, with all that is involved, present and to come. The revelation of wrath here probably refers mainly to the final judgment." I hope this helps. Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)

Apostasy

Dr. Couch, you seem to be right on about the cultural apostasy that is now sweeping our nation, and of course, the entire world. ANSWER: This is setting us up for the tribulation. It will be a horrible time, though the true believers will certainly not be here. However, the church may go through the storm clouds of the tribulation and experience terrible things before the rapture. Remember, the wrath of God will fall on a specific generation that is definitely deserving God's judgment. It is not going to fall simply indiscriminately. It will be a judgment on a specific period of history with the population in massive rebellion against the truth.    In my view a cultural apostasy is mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:2: "For MEN (the lost) will be lovers of self, ..." They will "hold to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power ..." (v. 5). As the church goes, so goes the culture. Or, as the culture goes so goes the church! However you want to say it! Thanks for asking, Dr. Mal Couch (8/10)

2 Timothy 4:1

Dr. Couch, what is going on in 2 Timothy 4:1 and the issue about the "His appearance and His kingdom"? Is His "appearance" the rapture, and is the "kingdom" the messianic reign taught about so often in the OT? And what about the "and" ("kai") between "appearance" and "His kingdom"? ANSWER:  You sent me a lot of information about the use of the "and" which I don't think is important in understanding the passage. The context is more important here.    I do not think this passage is about the rapture of the church but about Christ's return in order to judge both those who are alive and those who have died. "Appearance" is a noun and is the word "epiphaneia." As the Lexicon says this is about "the advent of Christ" and not the rapture. He comes to earth to judge and rule!    The "by" is not a stated preposition but is embedded in the nouns "by" His appearance, and "by" His kingdom. These are genitive/ablatives in Greek grammar.    2 Timothy 4:1 fits perfectly with Matthew 25:31-46. There the King comes to sit on His throne and judge the sheep and the goats. The righteous Jews and Gentiles will inherit the kingdom "prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (v. 34).    I believe the passage is really simple. Let's not complicate it. Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (7-10)

What is Happening in the Nations?

Dr. Couch, where are we today, with what is happening in the nations of the world? ANSWER:  We are into the rebellion of the nations, the hardness of heart, and the rejection of Christ as the Savior of the world! Isaiah said it well. God has to bring upon the planet judgment in order to cause the peoples of the earth to listen to Him. He said "When the earth experiences Your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness" (Isa. 26:9b).    But the world can grow extremely hardened in its reaction to punishment. The next is not a contradiction but it does lay down a truth that we need to look carefully at. "Though the wicked are shown favor, the wicked man does not learn righteousness; instead he deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, and does not perceive the majesty of the Lord" (v. 10).    Only the punishment of the seven year tribulation will awaken the world to its awful sinfulness. We are getting closer to that day! But the believers in Christ need not fear. The church will be taken out of here before that terrible time arrives. Paul writes that the Thessalonians turned to God from their idols:    "to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come" (1 Thess. 1:9b-10).    I read the other day from some "big" Bible teacher that the only place the rapture is mentioned is in 4:13-18. How foolish and blinded such a teacher can be! And he is only fooling himself and those who look to him as one who explains God's Word! These verses in chapter one give us the same scenario of the blessing that is coming to the believer in Christ. God will remove His Own from the earth before that terrible seven year tribulation comes upon the earth. What a glorious Day!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (6-10)

Egypt and Assyria Blessed by Israel

Dr. Couch, it looks as if Egypt and Assyria are blessed by Israel in the kingdom. Is this correct? ANSWER:  Yes, indeed! Isaiah 19:16-25 tells us that Israel will become a terror to Egypt, and that would only be in the messianic Kingdom. The Egyptians will shrink like women (v. 16), because of the purpose of the Lord against them. Five Egyptian cities will be speaking Hebrew (the Canaan language) and will swear allegiance "to the Lord of Hosts" (v. 17). The Egyptians will build an altar to the Lord in Egypt "and a pillar to the Lord near its border" (v. 19).    The Lord will make Himself known to the Egyptians and they will even make sacrifice and worship God, "and will make a vow to the Lord and perform it" (v. 21). The Lord will heal the Egyptians and He will respond to them and will heal them (v. 22). And, "In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria" (v. 23). Finally, the Lord will say: "Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands and Israel My inheritance" (v. 25).    This has never happened before so we are waiting for it to take place, and that would only be during the time of the Kingdom reign of Christ! The Lord will also judge the people of present day Jordan but then, He will bless them and they will know Him—again, at the time of the Kingdom. Only dispensationalists can spot the timing of this event, and that would be the one thousand year reign of the Messiah! We sometimes forget that many peoples of earth will come to the Lord at that time. The Kingdom will be a great moment of conversion for many Gentile nations. It will be a blessed time in world history.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Mar., 10)

Moses' Shining Face

Dr. Couch, the first time Moses went up on the mountain and received the Law from God, the Bible does not mention his face shining from seeing the Lord. But the second time he went up, it says in Exodus 34:29-35 that his face shone from speaking with Him. What is the difference? ANSWER:  Moses broke the first set of Law tablets because of the sin of the people in the valley when he came down from the mountain. He went back up and was given a second set of tablets. Then it says "the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with the Lord" (Exod. 34:29). Aaron and the people "were afraid to come near him" (v. 30). Because of their fear Moses had to put a covering over his face to calm their hearts.    One good explanation comes from Unger who writes that the first giving of the Law was totally legal, while the second giving was "mixed with divine grace and glory." This seems to be demonstrated in Exodus 33:5-11, for it says that when Moses appeared before the people, as shown with the pillar of cloud descending, they all stood "and worshipped, each at the entrance of his tent" (v. 10). At least for awhile, they had learned their lesson about the holiness of their God. These chapters were "learning" chapters about who their Lord was. In their encounter with Moses and God, Aaron reminded the Lord that the people "are prone to evil" (32:22).    God's people must recognize the Lord's judgment and His grace. There is not the one without the other. As sinners, we are due judgment, but Christ went to the cross to provide grace. "Don't mess with the Lord, as Israel did!" Where would we be without His grace and mercy?    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Mar., 10)

America's Collapse

Dr. Couch, why have things collapsed so quickly in our country, on every level—political, social, theological, cultural, etc.? ANSWER:  Things were building up more quickly than we could imagine—we just didn't notice the changes coming. Theologically, I believe this is a judgment from God upon an apostate nation, and world. We are moving rapidly toward the end times. America for some time now has walked away from the Lord. But on the human level, there are some things we can observe that I believe are part of God's judgment.    (1) We have for some time now departed morally. Drugs, abortion, homosexuality, etc. has been destroying us from within for decades. (2) The mixing of cultures that did not have the Judeo-Christian morality behind them. And, those who have Christianity as a heritage have apostatized into immorality anyway. The founding of the nation, and our Reformation European heritage has been long ago lost to this culture. (3) Our secular state universities have moved toward liberalism and socialism, and these views have been fed to our young people now for decades. (4) And, our young people have been so brainwashed from grade school to buy into the lies of Satan. And as well, the repudiation in our schools of any form of recognition of Christianity.    In many schools, they have discarded Christianity but have honored Muslim and Hindu holidays in place of Christian traditions. Now I know having a holiday does not make our nation "Christian" but there is still a principle being trashed. And we will pay a price for that.    I know for a fact that many of my school friends came to Christ because Bibles were passed out at school and there were plays and musicals given over to Resurrection Sunday and Christmas. Everyone knew that America's morality had its origins from the Word of God, even though they may not have been born again or went to church on Sunday. Without doubt, we have departed on one level or another, and we are going to pay the price.    Someone recently sent me an article about a paper written by a chaplain in the Army saying that the real enemy in this country is premillennialism. Premillennialists, he said, see things black and white, and this is causing problems with those who are conciliatory on issues. We knew that this argument would be coming—blaming the facts of Scripture for how we are perceived in the world. Pray that this will not bring more havoc on those who are proclaiming the truth in our culture.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Dec., 09)

Parable on the Branches Abiding in Christ

Dr. Couch, is John 15:1-9 about loss of salvation? It's the parable about the branches abiding in Christ. What do you say? ANSWER:  First of all, the issue here is about fruit bearing not about one's Position in salvation. Christ prunes the branches of the vine in order to make them bear more fruit. To prune is painful to the branch. But it brings forth more fruit in the process.    Notice that the individual connected with Christ, the vine, is "already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you" (v. 3). That is a Positional statement about salvation. So the issue here is fruit bearing, or a relationship that produces fruit. Salvation is not the point. That is a settled issue.    The main idea is "abiding" or to put it in the vernacular, about "sticking" with Christ, "staying with Him in fellowship, which is so necessary for the daily Christian walk. Verse 5 makes the main point, "apart from Me you can do nothing." Again, this is not a salvation issue but a fruit production issue, the "doing something for the cause of Christ."    Some think the "casting away into the fire, and they are burned" is alluding to the loss of salvation and the fires of eternal, spiritual judgment (v. 6). But who is doing the "casting away"? It is the "they." Or, men who are doing the judging, not God! "They gather them" is a Present Active Indicative, Third Person Plural, meaning "they," or "men" gather the branches and cast them into the fire. The "Men" or probably even the lost, who are doing the judging against Christians, that is those believers who are hypocrites because the world does not see any good coming out of these believers in their walk. The Christians are walking like the world, like the lost! And, there is no fruit bearing.    The issue of fruit bearing also has to do with glorifying the Father, and by this, we prove that we are Christ's disciples, and that has to do with our following and walking with Him, not an issue about our salvation (v. 8). Finally, "fellowship love" is the issue as stated in verse 9. We are to be abiding, "sticking" with Christ in His relationship love, as stated in this verse. Most of the time in this passage when Christ says "abide" or "stay with" Me, He uses the Present Tense in Greek. "Be daily and continually staying with Me" in fellowship ..." How we are walking is what this passage is all about, not about our Position in our salvation.    Thanks for asking. I hope this helps.    Dr. Mal Couch (Dec., 09)

The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah

Dr. Couch, I recently debated a woman on the internet who argued that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was not about homosexuality but rather about the attempt of gang rape of the visitors [the angels] who had come to these cities, specifically the angels who came and spoke with Lot (Gen. 19:1-29). How do we answer?

ANSWSER: First of all, I would not argue with a woman. They are more emotional and are not to be Bible teachers according to Paul. The apostle writes in 1 Timothy 2:12-15: “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet [that is, not to be flapping the jaw]. Because it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression.”

Women are emotionally fooled whereby men are simply sinful by the evilness of the heart. This is why we don’t want women pastors. They can so quickly mislead, thus this woman you debated with!

Today, people, even Christians, are misled by the culture. They foolishly buy into the cultural arguments and do not think for themselves. Satan is “the god of this culture” and controls even what many Christians think on doctrinal issues (John 16:11; Eph. 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:4). Satan “is the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” He is “the god of this culture who has blinded the minds of the unbelieving.” He can pull the wool over the eyes of Christians as well as the unbelieving.

To argue that the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is not about homosexuality is not only stupid but just plain evil, and, it is quoting what the homosexuals want to say about the passage in order to justify their sins of the most evil and the most filthy of practices. This issue is not really worth answering!

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch

The Final Judgment

Dr. Couch, I have heard some say that the seven year tribulation is the final period of judgment of the Jews and a final judgment that ends the dispensation of the Law. Is this so? ANSWER:  There is some validity for this argument because there is no question that the last "week" of the Seventy Weeks of Daniel is a judgment against the Jewish people. The antichrist will "make a firm covenant with the many (the Jews) for one week (one seven year period), but in the middle of the week (three and a half years) he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering …" (Dan. 9:27). It is clear that this is yet future. The book of Revelation continually makes reference to the seven year tribulation by dividing it into "three and a half … and three and a half years, etc." This is referred to about five times throughout the book of Revelation. Also, the antichrist, as Paul reminds us, enters the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and "exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God" (2 Thess. 2:4).    One could argue that Christ presented Himself as Israel's King. They rejected Him, and with that rejection, the dispensation of the church began. It must be remembered that the dispensation of the church was not prophesied or spoken of in the OT. It was a mystery, which means "something not before revealed." Paul makes that clear in Ephesians 3. He wrote of:    "My insight into the mystery of Christ which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit" (Eph. 3:4b-5). That is "that the Gentiles are (to be) fellow heirs and fellow members of the body …" (v. 6). And "to bring to light what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God … according to the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord" (vv. 9-10). Even the angels in glory did not know about the church age. Paul goes on and writes: "In order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenlies" (v. 10).    Thus, in the mind of the Lord, the seven year tribulation is the close of God's judgment dealing with Israel before the establishment of the Christ's one thousand year Kingdom reign! The church is but a parenthesis, and it is taken home in the rapture before the terrible tribulation period begins on earth!    Some argue that the idea of the mystery of the church does not mean that the church is not mentioned in the OT, but this is not so. The most comprehensive and complete Greek commentary on Ephesians is written by Dr. Harold Hoehner. (It took him twenty years to write the 900 pages) He has an excellent treatment on "mystery" and writes:      Paul clarifies exactly when and to whom this mystery first became known. … In other generations it was not made known to people. … The mystery was made know to him by revelation, and he continues by saying that it was not made known in other generation. … The revelation is made known to all people, even the heavenly powers (vv. 2-4, 9-10). … It was not known by any person in past generations. … Paul discloses that this mystery, which was not known in past generations has now been revealed. … This corresponds with Rom. 16:25-26 where Paul states that the mystery was kept secret for ages but now has been manifest. … The revelation is some hidden thing or a mystery of God that is unveiled in God and cannot be discovered by human investigation. In the present context, it is the uncovering of a mystery that has been hidden in God throughout the ages (vv. 5, 9). (pp. 437-441)    Conclusion: It is possible then that the seven year tribulation period, which is a judgment upon the Jews (and also a judgment upon the Gentile nations), is indeed the final work with the Jews before the Kingdom is established on earth. Remember, the church is gone in the rapture before the beginning of the tribulation (1 Thess. 4)!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

Bema Seat Judgment

Dr. Couch, is 2 Timothy 1:12, 18 and that day about the Bema judgment of the believer?

ANSWER: Paul writes:

"For this reason I also suffer these things (persecutions), but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day" (v. 12).


"The Lord grant to [Omesiphorus] to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus" (v. 18).

Yes, the context has to do with rewards and recognition for service rendered for the Lord's sake. In verse 12 the "I am convinced" is in the Perfect Tense, showing that Paul had arrived at a conclusion over time and now he "had become certain" that God was able "to guard" or "defend" what Paul was doing in the ministry as what had been entrusted to him by the Lord! "Entrusted" has the idea: "to deposit." Paul was given a task by Him and he would be faithful to the end, and his faithfulness would be honored at the Bema Seat! 

   In my commentary series on 1 & 2 Timothy (AMG), Charles Ray writes: "'That day' is primarily utilized in reference to the day believers will 'appear before the judgment seat of Christ' (2 Cor. 5:10). Paul could never return the favor, but God could."

   Thanks for asking.
   Dr. Mal Couch

What Are The Imprecatory Prayers And How Does Judgment Relate To The Word Brimstone?

Dr. Couch, what are the imprecatory prayers, and how does judgment relate to the word brimstone?

ANSWER:  This word (goph-reeth) comes from the word gopher wood (goh-pher) and is used but one time in the OT (Gen. 6:14), and there, in relation to the building the ark. Goph-reeth is used seven times in the OT, is translated as brimstone, and has to do with God's judgment. In prophecy in Ezekiel 38:22, brimstone refers to the Lord's wrath and judgment upon Gog in the final days (possibly before the tribulation actually begins). "I shall rain on him (Gog), and on his troops, and on many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire, and brimestone." This is a geophysical outpouring that destroys many of Israel's enemies who come up against the Holy Land, led by Gog, the peoples to the far north, the Russians and her allies.

   Brimstone may be a reference to pumas which is light like wood, but is actually porous rock, thus thought to be by the ancients a form of wood. Sulfur spewing forth from volcanoes also could be tied to what the ancients were witnessing. 

   The set, A Dictionary of the Bible, says we cannot be certain as to what kind of tree the gopher was. Celsius says it was a cypress. In any case, it was plenteous during the building of Noah's ark. Since the Lord ordered that this gopher wood was to be used in construction it can be assumed that it would not soften in water, possibly being a very hard and study wood (Gen. 6:14). Since brimstone comes from this word "gopher," being a hard wood, the connection was perfect to describe brimstone and/or thus, judgment.

    In the NT brimstone comes from the Greek word theion and is used seven times. It is related to the judgment that comes from the Greek gods. One reference is used in Luke 17:29 and the rest are in Revelation. 

   The imprecatory psalms are the psalms that call down God's judgment upon evil peoples. Imprecatory has in mind a giving forth of a curse. There are at least three such Psalms: 35, 69, 109. David cries out: "Lord … fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of buckler and shield, and rise up for my help" (35:1-2). "Pour out Thine indignation on them, and may Thy burning anger overtaken them" (69:24).

   When evil is so evil, and when un-justice so destroys the innocent, it is proper to call forth God's vengeance upon the wicked. Both mercy and justice are God's business but when the wrath of man is so destructive, and obvious, it is right to call upon the Lord's judgment to stop the pain and evil. In the book of Revelation the martyred call for God's vengeance on those who were so wrathful on earth.

   Thanks for asking.
   Dr. Mal Couch

Judgment During the Age of Grace?

Dr. Couch, the bad things that come upon the earth (floods, wars, pestilence, etc.), do they come directly from God in His wrath and judgment? We know the tribulation will be a seven year period of wrath from heaven, but is God bringing judgment today during the age of grace? 

 

    Good question, but of course the answer is yes. The Lord is providentially in charge of His world even right now. Things that happen do not sneak by Him! And He is not passive and impotent. 

    Jeremiah 10:10 makes this clear: “The Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.” When He brings calamity and foul weather upon the globe (v. 13) human beings are shown for what they are: dumb! Jeremiah writes: “Every man is stupid, devoid of knowledge” because they do not see Him in His glory but instead trust their foolish idols of gold and molten metal (v. 14). 

    I am doing the most complete study of Romans I have ever done. Paul in Romans 1:18 makes it clear that God’s wrath is presently falling upon sinful humanity. “For the wrath of God is presently being revealed (Present, Passive, Indicative of apokalupto) from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who are presently pressing down (Present, Active, Participle) the truth by means of [their] unrighteousness.” With the participle, “pressing down” the truth implies that it is part of their nature to continue to disavow God. It could be translated “They are the ones who continually have it as their nature to always be pressing down and thwarting what is right.” 

    This is why there are wars and calamities that daily fall upon mankind. This includes natural disasters, wars, revolutions, etc. God is doing this for two reasons: (1) to bring on people the rightful judgment for their sins, and (2) in order to cause them to look up and cry to Him for salvation found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the last reason does not really drive men to God, though it should. The hearts of people are so wicked they are unmovable and intransigent in their evilness and rebellion! 

Thanks for asking.

Dr. Mal Couch

What About Hurricane Rita and the Judgment of God?

Dr. Couch, you seem so certain about judgment falling on certain cities as San Francisco and New Orleans. What about hurricane Rita striking the Texas coast? 

 

    ANSWER: First of all, when judgment strikes a people, the righteous may also suffer. While judgment may be pinpointed on a certain evil city, all of America today is in an apostate condition. I believe in the absolute sovereignty of God. Storms do not happen by accident. So if a San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New Orleans (Big Easy) is hit, what would your answer be? Simply happening by accident? 

    Storms should humble everyone—the sinner who is lost, and the Christian! Job says "God makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away" (12:23). He "restrains the waters, and they dry up; and He sends them out, and they inundate the earth" (v. 15) He sends the lightning bolt, and with this it is said to mankind, "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom" (28:26-28). (In my opinion America is being "led away" right now!) 

    God sends storms and "by these He judges people; and [by the storms] gives food "in abundance" (36:28-33); He sends storms to do "great things which we cannot comprehend" (37:5); He sends the "downpouring" and tells the rain, "Be strong!" (v. 6). And by this, every man cannot work because God "seals the hand of every man" (v. 7). When the storms come, the animals go into their dens (v. 8). "With moisture He loads the think cloud and disperses the cloud of His lightning" (v. 11). He commands the storms "That it may do whatever He commands it on the face of the inhabited earth," (1) "for correction," (2) "for the benefit of His world," (3) or "for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen" (vv. 12-13). Notice that Job said He sends the storms "for correction" (v. 13)! 

    Our Evangelical world today, for the most part, denies the absolute sovereignty of God. I do not! 

    Thanks for asking!

    Dr. Mal Couch