The topic of God’s wrath remains a subject of intense controversy among believers today. To understand this difficult topic, we must address the concerns: who will be subject to this judgment, why has God determined it necessary to dispense judgment, and what is the timing for this wrath to be fully revealed?

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  (11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-8  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  (3)  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  (4)  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  (5)  Ye are all the children of light, and the children 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.

First, let us examine the intended targets of God’s wrath. Supporters of mid-tribulation, pre-wrath, and post-tribulation theories suggest that believers will remain on earth for all or part of the Tribulation. However, identifying exactly who God’s wrath is directed toward reveals that the Church is not among them. Based on this distinction, one can only conclude that the Church will be absent when this wrath is dispensed.

Ephesians 2:2  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 of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:4-6  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  (5)  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; (6) fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

If the scriptures identify “children of disobedience,” then it stands to reason there are also “children of obedience.” The distinction between the two is found in their actions and their standing before God. As shown in Colossians 3:4-6, the children of disobedience are defined by the practice of the sins listed in those verses. In contrast, the born-again believer, the child of obedience, is one who has obeyed the Gospel and received full forgiveness and no longer makes sin a practice. The born-again child is not sinless, but will sin less!

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

From this, we can conclude that God’s wrath is directed specifically at the children of disobedience. This judgment is the consequence of a heart that remains unrepentant and closed to God’s grace.

Romans 2:5  But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

By repenting and receiving Jesus Christ, the Church stands forgiven and protected by His sacrifice. We are spared from the outpouring of God’s wrath that is coming to the world. Paul’s epistles beautifully illustrate this for us: once a person is born again, they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This presence of the Spirit serves as a guarantee, sealing the believer safely until the moment of our redemption.

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Now that we have confirmed that God’s Word excludes the Church from His wrath, let us look closer at today’s passage. In 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, what is the precise definition of the salvation mentioned, and how does it apply to our current understanding? The Greek word for salvation is:

σωτηρία
sōtēria
so-tay-ree’-ah
Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): – deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

It is important to recognize that salvation can have different meanings depending on the scripture. While it often describes being saved from sin (John 14:6), Paul’s use of the word in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 is set within a discussion about the Rapture. We must interpret the verse according to that specific theme.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  (3)  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  (4)  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  (5)  Ye are all the children of light, and the children 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,  (10)  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  (11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

We can see a significant shift in the book of Revelation: after chapter 3, the Church is no longer mentioned. Once John is called to “Come up hither” to see the events that “must be hereafter,” the focus changes. The same door that was promised to the Philadelphia church in Revelation 3:8 and 3:10 reappears in Revelation 4:1. This specific door is mentioned only three times in the entire book of Revelation, serving as a key indicator for the Church’s location.

Revelation 3:8-10  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.  (9)  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.  (10)  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Revelation 4:1  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.

After the Bridegroom comes to take the Church to the marriage, the door is shut. This follows the pattern Christ established in Matthew 25, where He used the parable of the virgins to demonstrate the closing of the door upon His arrival.

Matthew 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

When the Rapture occurs and that door is shut, no further entrance is possible, leaving the rest of the world to face God’s judgment. Scripture clearly shows us this shift: chapter 5 of Revelation shows the glory of Heaven, while chapter 6 introduces the Seven Seals. This progression makes it undeniably clear who is falling under the weight of the wrath of the Lamb.

Revelation 6:16-17  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?

The question remains: who will be able to stand? If the Church were intended to endure any part of the Tribulation, she would surely be equipped to stand through it. However, this verse suggests otherwise. Friend, your presence here today is not an accident; God has placed you in this moment so that you might find salvation while there is still time. I invite you to consider your standing, don’t you want to be among those in the Church who are caught up to meet Jesus in the clouds? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!