The Wrath of God and Repentance

Is God really going to pour out his wrath on this world? How could a nice, loving, good God be so angry with humanity that he'd destroy it? Does God require repentance?

"Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abomination. (Eze. 7:3 KJV)."

If God didn't spare Israel and Judah, what makes us thing we're privileged to be spared the judgment of an angry God? Let's take this one step farther. If there's no judgment for iniquity, why do we preach salvation in Christ?

We read over and over again of God rendering judgment on humanity throughout the Old Testament. His judgment was swift and decisive. Except for Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives, God wiped out the entire human race because of its sin. What makes us think God won't do the same to us?

It must stand to reason if there's salvation, there must also be judgment. We read throughout the Old Testament of the mercy and longsuffering of God. We will find the first reference to God's longsuffering when Moses receives the second writing of the Ten Commandments from God.

"The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin (Ex. 34:6-7 KJV)."

This is why Jesus could say these words, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (Jn. 3:16 KJV)."

That's why Peter wrote, "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 (2Pe. 3:9 KJV)."

If there's no punishment for sin, there's no need for salvation. If there's no sin, there's no need for a Savior. Maybe the time has come for Christianity to face the fact sin is sin, and God requires repentance. It's eternity that hangs in the balance.
 
Isaiah cried for weeping, mourning, baldness, and sackcloth (Isa. 22:12). Ezekiel preached to cast away all transgressions and make a new heart (Eze. 18:31). Hosea cried out for repentance (Ho. 14:2). Joel called for fasting, weeping, and mourning (Joel 2:12).

John the Baptist preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mt. 3:2). Jesus said except we repent we will perish (Lu. 13:3). He repeated himself two verses later. Peter called for repentance in Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19. Paul said God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30)."

God is merciful. God is gracious. God is longsuffering. But one day, Christ will return. Humanity will be judged for its deeds, good or bad (Acts 17:31). I wonder, who is God waiting for? Who will be the last one to repent? God bless...