The Wrath? Or the Rapture? Romans 9:11-28

Text:  “Pilate saith unto them, ‘What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ?’ “

Matthew 27:22.

Good morning, Christian ‘vessel of mercy’!  Praise God that he has chosen both thee and me to be partakers of His mercy!  We shall, therefore, never experience the full weight of His Holy wrath against sin - for we are Eternally safe, in Christ Jesus.  (John 10:27-30)

But, how does our text above relate to our selected Bible reading for today?  Is there some connection, or has the  Bible teacher perhaps made an error in his humble choice of text?  We are taught in Scriptures always to compare Spiritual things with Spiritual things.  (1 Corinthians 2:13)

Therefore, for relevance of comparison in today’s text, and in fact pertaining to all interpretation of Holy Scripture; we must always let the authority of Scripture interpret Scripture - there is no room in the process for the mere will or opinions of mortal men/women.  (2 Peter 1:20-21)

God’s Word is a perfect whole, all Scripture supports all other Scripture, and comparing writings from various books of God’s inspired Word helps us to form the various doctrines of our faith.

  Thus, we cannot take a verse, or in some cases half a verse of Scripture, and make a doctrine from it.  Doctrinal passages of our Bible must always be supported by what theologians refer to as ‘the whole thread of revealed Scriptural truth’ - the thread of truth which God has intricately woven throughout the books of the Old and the New Testaments.  We have God’s own Word, therefore,  on  what we do and do not believe.  Hallelujah!  That’s the truth!  Amen.  (John 17:17) (Isaiah 8:20)

The relevance of my chosen text for today is the fact that it is this question - “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” – that, when answered, determines for time and Eternity whether or not we shall one day experience the wrath or the rapture of the Lord God.

For Christ acceptors, the Eternal rapture described in verses like Psalm 16:11.  For Christ rejecters, Eternal wrath in a Hell that is hot indeed.  (Mark 9:43-48) (Psalm 9:17)

What have we done with Christ’s free offer of Salvation?  That is the real question for all sinners such as we.  (Acts 4:12) (Luke 19:10)

But, “What about the Calvinist doctrine of Unconditional Election?”, I hear some ask.  (i.e. the belief that God chooses whom He will save, and whom He will harden towards the Gospel instead)  The point I am here making, dear friend, as a believer in so-called Calvinist theology myself, is, that if one is among the Elect of God, then one can PROVE it by the answer one gives to Pilate’s poignant question!

Let us go no further.  Let us ask ourselves, in the privacy of our own hearts and homes: “Have I received Christ Jesus as my own personal Saviour AND Lord?”  Think for a moment on this rhetorical question. (Selah – now think on this!)

If we can answer in the affirmative then, praise God, we know for a certainty that we are indeed His Elect vessels of mercy.  Because this is so, we can never ever experience the dreaded wrath of a thrice Holy God of wrath against sin.  What relief this truth brings to mere sinners such as we.  Hallelujah!  I am saved by the grace of God!  (Jude 4) (1 Peter 2:8-9) (Romans 9:18-24)

God has chosen you and I to experience His Eternal rapture and delivered us from His Eternal wrath.  Does this thought not thrill your very soul?  Amen, it certainly thrills mine.  Thanks be to God for His unmerited Election grace and love!  Safe in the arms of Jesus indeed. (John 15:16) (Revelation 20:10-15)

God is therefore proven to be God Alone by our Bible passage and text. He created mankind - thus, He can do with us whatsoever He Himself desires to do.  God’s Sovereignty stands unchallenged by the pathetic beliefs, religion, and creeds of mere puny and mortal man.        (Psalm 115:3) (Ephesians 1:11) (John 15:16)

We are SAVED God’s way, or we are not saved at all.  Christ is the ONLY way of Salvation - rejecters of this fundamental truth receive God’s terrible wrath.  This is the Gospel truth!  Believe it.  Receive Christ.  Wait for the rapture of Heaven.  Amen, it is so, Lord Jesus, amen.

Thought:  God’s unconditional Election - deserves man’s unconditional acceptance.