God’s Wrath vs. Satan’s Wrath — Part 1
By Dave Robbins
Prophecies foretell two specific decrees of wrath that will soon come upon the Earth —God’s and Satan’s.
Opinions range far and wide on this topic.
Many teach the Great Tribulation is the Wrath of God poured out on a world that has rejected God for so long. Some believe the Seals, Trumpets and Vials are part of this judgment. Others claim, “Satan’s wrath is the use of power to cause harm! God’s wrath is the opposite — it is when He stops using His power to protect us.”[i] They believe God will give Satan the freedom to release evil spirits imprisoned in the abyss who will go forth to torment men as part of God’s Wrath against rebellious men.
Hence, the Great Tribulation … in their opinion.
There are two wraths coming to the Earth. Both are foretold in Scripture and the prophecies always come to pass, which leads to two questions:
1) Is the Great Tribulation Satan’s wrath, God’s Wrath, both or neither?
2) Since 1 Thessalonians 5:9 states, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” who then is exempted from the wrath to come and which wrath is this verse referring to?
Let’s go to the Bible for the answers.
The Great Tribulation
The original Greek word for tribulation is thlip’-sis; from G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively): — afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.[ii]
Both Daniel and Jesus foretold the worst time of persecution the world will ever experience.
Daniel 12:1-2 says,
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Michael, an archangel, will stand up at the end. The Bible calls him the prince of Daniel’s people, the Jews. Historically, Michael has been a defender of the Jewish people (Daniel 10:13). This passage explains there will be a time of trouble such as never was before nor ever again shall be. This refers to the Great Tribulation which lasts for 3 ½ years. Most prophecy books teach the Great Tribulation lasts for seven years. However, there is not one scripture in the entire Bible that teaches a seven-year tribulation. There are six specific passages that teach the Great Tribulation will last 3 ½ years (Daniel 7:25, 12:1-7, Revelation 11:3-12, 12:6, 12:13-17 and 13:5-7). There is a seven-year period called Daniel’s 70th Week but the tribulation doesn’t start until halfway through that time period.
Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:15-21,
“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
Daniel 9:27 teaches the Abomination of Desolation happens in the middle of Daniel’s 70th Week, the final seven-year period. The Great Tribulation starts at the Abomination of Desolation (when the Antichrist stands in the Third Temple claiming to be God), which happens halfway through the final seven-year period.
The Wraths to Come
It is crucial to understand the difference between the Great Tribulation and the Wrath of God. The Great Tribulation is Satan’s wrath against people who will not worship him. We know this from Revelation 12:12, “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
This passage is spoken when Satan is banished from Heaven and confined to the Earth. This will occur 3 ½ years before the Battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus. Notice, Satan pours out his wrath against the inhabitants of the Earth because he knows he only has a short time left.
Revelation 12:14 tells us Satan will persecute the woman with the 12 stars (Israel) for time, times and half a time. Time, times and half a time is 3½ years – the length of the Great Tribulation. From these scriptures, we understand the Great Tribulation is not the Wrath of God but it is the wrath of Satan.
The Vials containing the Wrath of God will be poured out right at the end of the Great Tribulation and during the Battle of Armageddon. God will use the Vials during the Battle of Armageddon to deliver Israel from the armies of the Antichrist, much like He used the plagues in the Old Testament against Pharaoh to deliver Israel from Egypt. As a matter of fact, five of the Seven Vials in Revelation 16 are duplicates of five of the 10 plagues poured out upon Egypt.
Satan’s Wrath
In the near future, a spiritual war will occur in Heaven resulting in the worst time of persecution the physical world will ever know.
The War in Heaven
Revelation 12:7-9 says, “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” There is no question concerning the identity of the dragon. This verse says the dragon is that old serpent called the Devil and Satan.
Satan attempts 3 ½ years before Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ to overthrow God. This is an angelic war which happens when Michael and his angels, leading the armies of Heaven, make war against Satan and his angels.
Why does Satan attempt to overthrow God? Because he knows his time is short. He realizes he is getting ready to go to the bottomless pit in 3 ½ years. Why not go for broke? He launches this last-ditch effort to avoid the bottomless pit.
In this war, Satan is defeated. His punishment for this ultimate act of rebellion is to be banished from ever appearing in Heaven before God again. Up until this time, Satan has been allowed to appear before God (Job 1:7).
Revelation 12:10 says, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Satan’s main job is to accuse you and me and to bring guilt and condemnation upon us. He has been doing this now for 6,000 years. However, he is going to be cast down and confined to the Earth for the final 3 ½ years.
After verse 10 declares glory to Him that sits on the throne, for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, verse 12 says, “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.” (Revelation 12:12-13)
When Satan is confined to the Earth, he will launch the Great Tribulation against God’s people.
The Great Tribulation is the Wrath of Satan
Many people teach the Great Tribulation is the Wrath of God; however, Revelation 12:12 clearly shows us the Great Tribulation is the wrath of Satan. Satan comes down to the Earth having great wrath, knowing he has but a short time.
Satan will be confined to the Earth, knowing he only has 3 ½ years left. He will do his best to wreak havoc among God’s most treasured creation — the human race.
Satan Persecutes the Nation of Israel
Satan will persecute the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. We are already seeing the rapid rise of anti-Semitism throughout our world, even today.
However, Revelation 12:14 says Israel is going to have protection from Satan,
“And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”
Notice that Israel will flee into her place. Where is Israel’s place?
The Promised Land
It is found in Genesis 15:18, “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:” God made a covenant with Abraham promising the land on which he dwelled would be his and his descendants after him forever. Abraham was in Israel at this time. He was in the area of Beersheba about 40 miles south of Jerusalem. This is Israel’s place – it is Israel’s Promised Land.
What did the Bible mean when it said the woman would be given two wings of a great eagle? There is one nation on Earth today whose recognized symbol is the eagle. This nation happens to be Israel’s very best friend. The United States has used its military might to protect Israel from her enemies. It has also repeatedly used its veto power on the U.N. Security Council to protect Israel from the hatred of the United Nations.
The Antichrist Makes War Against the Saints
What does this phrase, “a time, and times, and half a time” mean? It is used several times in Scripture. A time is one year, times is two years and a half time is a half year. Daniel 7:25 states the Antichrist will make war against the saints for a time, times and half a time until the Ancient of Days comes. It is a picture of the Great Tribulation and the 3 ½ years right before the Second Coming.
How do we know it is 3 ½ years? Because the exact same prophecy is given in Revelation 13:5 which says the Antichrist will have power to continue 42 months. Instead of using time, times and half a time or 1,260 days, it uses 42 months. Revelation 13:7 says he makes war against the saints and overcame them during that time. This is absolute proof the Great Tribulation is 42 months or 3 ½ years.
Satan Attempts to Destroy Israel
Satan will attempt to destroy Israel according to Revelation 12:15, “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.”
This chapter is written in symbolic language so what do the waters symbolize? Revelation 17:15 reveals what the waters represent, “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” In the Revelation 17 prophecy, the waters represent multitudes of people. It appears to mean the same in Revelation 12:15.
The Bible says God will fight for Jerusalem though all the nations of the Earth are gathered against it. This is referring to the time of the Battle of Armageddon. Zechariah 14:2 says, “ … I will gather all nations against Jerusalem … ” These prophecies will be fulfilled at the end of the 3 ½ years.
A Great Earthquake
Revelation 12:16 tells us what will happen when Satan comes down against Israel like a flood, “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.” Could the Earth opening refer to the earthquake prophesied in Revelation 11:13? It says, “And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
This same earthquake is prophesied in Zechariah 14:4, “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” Could this be the Earth opening up to help Israel? Could this be the earthquake in which 7,000 die? It certainly seems to be a very strong possibility.
Satan’s War Against Jews and True Christians
Revelation 12:17 says, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Satan will make war against two entities: Israel and true Christians. Every Jewish person on Earth should either get to Israel or to the United States. There is another Jewish holocaust coming but there are places of safety for all who will heed the warning.
True Christians will also bear the brunt of the Great Tribulation. Most people who call themselves Christians will compromise and follow the False Prophet into an alliance with the Antichrist. True Christians will hold fast and not join the one-world religion of the False Prophet but they will stay true to Jesus Christ until He returns.
God’s Wrath
God’s Wrath in the End Time
Throughout Scripture, God’s Wrath is mentioned many times. Deuteronomy 29:23 tells us the Lord destroyed the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim, “ … which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:” As the Lord poured out the plagues on Egypt, preparing for the exodus of the Israelites, Psalm 78:49 tells us, “He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.” The Lord’s wrath “waxed hot” against the children of Israel in Exodus 32:10-11. His wrath was kindled against Israel in Numbers 11:33. These are specific examples of the Wrath of God upon mankind.
One would think having witnessed the judgments of God, men would fear the Lord, repent and align themselves with His Word to avoid His wrath.
However, the Bible tells us it is in man’s heart to do evil because judgment is not executed immediately. But this will not always be the case.
Currently, the Lord is giving mankind a season to repent. However, the time is coming when those who do not renounce their wicked ways will face His judgment.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night … ” (2 Peter 3:9-10)
The Bible prophesies God will pour out His Wrath again soon — and He will be justified in doing so.
Prophesied Wrath of God
There are many synonymous terms used to describe the end time Wrath of God:
The Day of the Lord: “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” (Isaiah 13:9)
The Day of Wrath: “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,” (Romans 2:5, NASB)
The Day of His Wrath: “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17)
The Great Winepress of the Wrath of God: “And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” (Revelation 14:19)
Other passages provide clues to the events that will occur when the Wrath of God is poured out in the end time.
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” (Revelation 11:15-18)
This happens when the Seventh Trumpet sounds. There is also the Seven Vials account:
“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 15:7)
From these passages, many questions arise when discussing this ominous prophecy. Will every person suffer when the Wrath of God is poured out? When will it occur and is it a global event?
To find these answers and more, we will look to the most detailed account of God’s Wrath which is found in the Book of Revelation — the Seven Vials.
The Revealing of Jesus Christ
The Book of Revelation is devoted to the revealing of Jesus Christ at His Second Coming.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass … ” (Revelation 1:1)
The word translated “revelation” is the Greek word “apokalypsis” which means to reveal. The Book of Revelation is devoted to dramatizing and telling the story of how the Second Coming is going to happen. The Second Coming is the crowning moment of all human history. Jesus Christ will return to the Earth to put down the thrones of men and establish the long-promised Kingdom of God.
Revelation gives at least four accounts of Christ’s Second Coming — all from different perspectives.
Structure of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is divided into three segments. John was told to:
“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;” (Revelation 1:19)
Revelation chapter one is a vision that John saw. Chapters two and three are letters written to seven churches in existence 2,000 years ago. The prophetic portion of Revelation begins in chapter four, verse one.
“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” (Revelation 4:1)
This is a major turning point that many people miss. It is a key area that has caused many to misinterpret the Book of Revelation.
Another very important aspect to understand is that the future is described in four different ways through four major categories of events. These categories form a sort of skeletal structure for the Book of Revelation. They are: Seven Seals, Seven Thunders, Seven Trumpets and Seven Vials.
Although the Seals, Trumpets and Vials are explained in some length, the thunders are not explained at all.
“And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.” (Revelation 10:4)
God only allowed John to write what He wanted understood.
The structural elements of the Book of Revelation are revealed when you compare the Seals, Trumpets and Vials. The Seals are the long story ending with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ back to Earth. The Trumpets are the shorter story ending at the same time. The Vials or Bowls are the very short story ending at the same event.
Each of these structural elements begin at different times but they all end at the same time, proving conclusively the Book of Revelation is not written in chronological order.
Let’s analyze the fourth and final narrative detailing the Wrath of God.
The Seven Vials
The Seven Vials are filled up with the Wrath of God.
“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” (Revelation 15:1-2)
“And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 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. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” (Revelation 15:5-8)
Remember, the Great Tribulation is the wrath of Satan, not God. At this point on the prophetic timeline, we will be at the end of the Great Tribulation and the Seven Vials of the Wrath of God are ready to be poured out. How do we know? The first Vial provides the answer.
The First Vial
The angels are commanded to pour out the Wrath of God upon the Earth.
“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. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” (Revelation 16:1-2)
The prophecy does not provide a clear description of the plague itself. However, it does reveal the timing. Notice the first Vial cannot be poured out until the Mark of the Beast has been administered.
Other passages tell us the Mark of the Beast is implemented during the Great Tribulation and the reign of the Antichrist, which is within the final 3 ½ years, prior to the Battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
“ … and power was given unto him,” (the Antichrist) “to continue forty and two months.” (the Great Tribulation) “ … And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them … ” (Revelation 13:5, 7)
It is at the very end of the Great Tribulation when the Vials will be executed.
The Second Vial
“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.” (Revelation 16:3)
Is this literally saying every single creature in the Earth’s major bodies of water will be killed? It is our opinion they will not. Here’s why.
Consider that many of the plagues of Egypt, in the days of Moses, strongly resemble the ones prophesied in the Vials. The Egyptian plagues (i.e., water turned to blood) were localized and almost exclusive to the nation of Egypt. This perspective will aid with the interpretation of this prophecy.
From this, we can estimate with high probability that Vials two through seven will not be poured out globally. They will be focused on the Antichrist, on his kingdom and on the invading armies of his world government that will invade Israel at the Battle of Armageddon.
As we go along, I will provide scripture for this.
The Third Vial
“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.” (Revelation 16:4-7)
All the waters in that region are being turned to blood. People are suffering. Then the angel tells the Lord that these folks are worthy to suffer God’s Wrath. This is very different from the prevailing message being taught throughout Christendom today — God is all love; live any way you want with no consequences. This belief is not scriptural.
It is true that God is a God of infinite mercy and grace. However, the same Bible teaches that He is a God of judgment for those who have not been born again and living a Christian life.
“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
Revelation 16:6 says they will be given blood to drink because they are worthy of it. They would not repent but worshipped the Antichrist and they are worthy of judgment.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7-8)
We are individuals of free will. We will either walk the path of Jesus Christ or we will walk the path of sin. No man can serve two masters. In this life, we will either serve God or Satan. These are the only two choices for every human being.
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
The choice of life or death is our free will decision alone and it is of eternal consequence. In the end time, many will not choose to live for Jesus and walk in His statutes.
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,” (the Antichrist) “whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)
That is why when God pours out His Wrath and turns the water to blood, He will be undeniably justified in doing so.
[i] https://comeandreason.com/gods-wrath-versus-satans-wrath-whats-the-difference/
[ii] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2347/kjv/tr/0-1/