Australia
February 2, 2010
Some people may be afraid of Satan's wrath in the end times. I hope that the Word of God will change that. The word "wrath" occurs 13 times in the KJV of the book of Revelation:
6:16, 6:17, 11:18, 12:12, 14:8, 14:10, 14:19, 15:1, 15:7, 16:1, 16:19, 18:3, and 19:15.
The wrath of God is referred to 12 times, whereas the wrath of Satan is referred to once. This can be expressed as a ratio of 12 to 1. The verse that refers to Satan's wrath is Rev 12:12.
There are two Greek words that have been translated as "wrath" in the above verses: orge Strong's 3709 and thumos Strong's 2372. The New Strong's Expanded Dictionary reads, "Thumos is incipient displeasure fermenting in the mind. Orge takes over when thumos has subsided and longs for revenge and desires to injure the one causing the harm." There seems to be a sense of justice associated with orge. The Greek word in 12:12 is thumos. In contrast, the Greek word in 6:16 (first occurrence) and 19:15 (last occurrence) is orge. The Lord is the alpha and omega of wrath (see Rev 1:8, 1:11, 21:6, and 22:13).
The Expository Dictionary by Renn reads, "It is clear, then, that the anger of God against all who oppose him will be consummated on all who oppose him on the final day of judgment when Christ returns. The anger of Yahweh under the old covenant will pale into relative insignificance by the magnitude of his wrath poured out on all those who are found outside of a saving relationship with his Son." The Lord is also the alpha and omega of salvation.
Another Greek word that has been translated as "wrath" is parorgismos Strong's 3950. The New Strong's Expanded Dictionary reads, "Parorgismos occurs when irritation, exasperation, and embitterment attach themselves to righteous anger and makes it sin" (eg. Eph 4:26). Hence, we need to be careful with our own "wrath." In conclusion, we should be vigilant in regard to Satan's wrath (1Peter 5:8). However, Satan is furious "because he knows he has a short time" (Rev 12:12, HCSB). The people of God will conquer him (Rev 12:11). There will be no place for Satan in heaven any longer (Rev 12:8), so let us not give him a place in us (cf. Rev 14:5). Will it not be God's wrath that will end Satan's wrath on the earth?