"The God Who Is Very Angry"

The God Who Is There
by D. A. Carson
"The God Who Is Very Angry" - Chapter Thirteen
Revelation 14:6–20 (NIV)


6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

8 A second angel followed and said, “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’  which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man  with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
Biblical-Theological Reflections on God's WrathThe person who talks the most about hell in the Bible is Jesus.The Bible teaches that hell is a place of eternal suffering.Those in hell can no longer repent.When we speak of the wrath of God we must speak of it with compassion and sorrow, remembering the grace that we have been shown.

"The God Who Gathers and Transforms His People"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Gathers and Transforms His People” – Chapter Twelve
Introduction
What is of life changing, ultimate importance to you?Everyone will “transcendentalize” someone or something. Is God your Creator of ultimate importance to you?If not, then it is a manmade idol that has captured your worship.
Not about Rules
Christianity is not about making a set of rules or keeping rules.Christianity is about the grace of God that gathers and transforms his people. When God’s grace (not our own efforts) is central, it humbles us and transforms us.
Ephesians 2
We need to be reconciled to God, but we ourselves must be changed.God performs a work of new creation in his people. He transforms them.Good works flow from this grace-granted transformation. They are the outcome not the cause.
Ephesians 2
This transformation is brought about by God’s Spirit. He is already at work within us, changing our hearts and minds.God transforms and gathers his people.God is gathering a community of believers from every race.
Ephesians 2
The gathered church is the place where God meets with his people-it is the temple where God dwells.The church is not a building, but a gathering of transformed believers.The NT knows nothing of unbaptized or unchurched “Christians.”
Ephesians 4:17-5:10
The living out of our Christian faith in our daily lives is not driven by rules, but by the gospel—our faith in and our gratitude for the cross and resurrection of Christ.Our morality is first and foremost a function of gratitude to God for what Christ has already done.
Ephesians 4:17-5:10
The Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent empowers us to live in a way that is different form the way we lived before.Our ethical behavior is driven by our redemption by Christ—we are not our own.
Ephesians 4:17-5:10
The Holy Spirit gives us a desire to please God. We are eager to find out what pleases him.The Holy Spirit has not yet perfected us—We are not yet what we will be, but by the grace of God we are not what we used to be.
Galatians 5:13-26
We are justified by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ.It is not enough for us to stand acquitted before God and be reconciled to him. We must also be transformed.Where there is no transformation, there is no saving faith.
Take Up Your Cross
Being bought with a price and transformed by God means that we come under the lordship of Christ, following him wherever it may lead us and whatever it may cost.It has been granted to us by grace to believe in Christ and to suffer for Christ (Phil 1:29).

"The God Who Declares the Guilty Just"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Declares the Guilty Just”– Chapter Eleven
Declaring Someone Just
The accumulation of good acts cannot “undo” an evil act. In the court of justice, good acts cannot acquit someone of a crime.So too with God, there is no scale that will be used to weigh good deeds against bad. If we have done evil, then we are guilty.The holy God does not pretend that good deeds make up for bad ones.Rather, God has found a way to declare guilty people “just” without contradicting his own integrity or attribute of justice.
Romans 1:18 – 3:20
Paul’s entire argument is to show us that we are guilty.This is the story of the Bible from Genesis 3.Both Jews (who have God’s Law) and Gentiles (who don’t) are all sinful and guilty before God.“There is no one who does good, not even one.” (Rom 3:10)“Good” things that sinful people do are due to God’s common grace, and they can’t erase their sinful acts.The heart of evil is wanting to go our own way and disowning the God who made us.If the measure of our goodness is obedience to the 2 great commands:Love God with all of our heart/soul/mind Love our neighbor as ourselves…then we have all miserably failed and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).
Romans 3:21-26
Revelation of God’s righteousness in its relationship to the OT.But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. (v. 21)
Availability of God’s righteousness to all without racial distinction on condition of faith.This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (vv. 22-23)
Source of God’s righteousness in the gracious provision of Christ Jesus as the propitiation for our sinsand all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (v. 24) God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood -- to be received by faith. (v. 25)
RedemptionPropitiationDemonstration of God’s righteousness through the cross of Jesus Christ.He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished -- (v. 25) he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (v. 26)
Romans 3:27-31
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith.  28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.  29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.  31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.   
Faith excludes boastingFaith preserves graceFaith is necessary to save Jews and Gentiles alikeChristian faith fulfills the OT
Final Word on Faith
Faith is not a subjective feeling or a personal, religious choice.Faith is always in an object—what or whom you believe.Faith’s validation depends in part on the truthfulness of faith’s object.Faith is unavoidable, because you will trust someone or something.
In Romans 3, Paul desires us to have a “God-given ability to perceive what God has done by hanging Jesus on the cross, reconciling us to himself, setting aside his own just wrath, demonstrating his love, and declaring us just, even though we are not, because the righteousness of Christ Jesus is now counted as ours and our sin is now counted as his.”

"The God Who Died and Lives Again"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Died and Lives Again” – Chapter Ten
Born to Die
The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the center of the Bible’s message.Jesus was born and came to earth to die. “He will save his people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21)This is the unique message of the Christian gospel.
The Ironies of the Cross
“Hail, king of the Jews!”The Man who is mocked as king is in fact the King.“You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!”The Man who is utterly powerless is transcendently powerful. “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!”The Man who can’t save himself saves others.“He trusts God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him!”The Man who cries out in despair trusts God.
Can God Die?
The Bible never speaks of God the Father dying. He is the eternal Spirit.It does speak of Jesus, who is the Word (=God) in the flesh, dying.It does speak of the cross in terms of God’s sacrifice. It is God’s action in Christ, the man who is also God.
The Resurrection
Overwhelming eyewitness testimonyWhy doubt the resurrection of Jesus?Only the offended party can forgive.“My Lord and my God!”

"The God Who Loves"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Loves” – Chapter Nine
Confused about God’s Love
If someone believes in God today, the one attribute they are likely to ascribe to God is love.However, the world’s definition of love—a love that is non-discriminating, non-judgmental is not the Bible’s picture of the love of God at all.God is also holy, righteous, true, and just.Any definition of God’s love that is true to the Bible must see that his love operates in full harmony with all of the other attributes of his being, without taking away from any of them.
Speaking of God’s Love
The Intra-Trinitarian love of GodGod’s general care and grace for all of creationGod’s moral, inviting, yearning love calling people to turn from sin and destruction.God’s love is sometimes described as selective.Once in relationship with his covenant people—the love of God may be spoken of in a conditional sense:“Keep yourselves in God’s love”Connected with obedienceA relational love (including discipline)
John 3:16-21
 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
God’s Love in John 3:16
In the Bible it is simply astonishing that God loves us.The measure of God’s love for us is Jesus.The purpose of God’s love for us is that we might have life.The means by which we come to enjoy this love and life is faith.

"The God Who Grants New Birth"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Grants New Birth” – Chapter Eight
Our Ultimate Need
We are in rebellion against God.Instead of wiping out the whole race, God has mercifully chosen to save a remnant by grace.We deserve death, but God provided atonement-provisionally in animal sacrifices, but finally in Christ Jesus our Redeemer.We have rebelled, and God’s wrath is against us-we need to be reconciled to God.We need to be morally transformed, or we will just go on sinning.We need all of the effects of sin to be overcome and reversed.
The New Birth
The new birth is not a name change, a human decision, or a religious experience.The new birth is a powerful regeneration, by God himself, in the human life, such that those who are born again are necessarily transformed.
What Did Jesus Say?
“No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”“No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.”“I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean” (Ezek 36:25)“I will put my Spirit in you” (v. 27)The new birth is bound up with the dawning of a new covenant that would be characterized by moral transformation and by the power and life of God to transform and renew.“Spirit gives birth to spirit.”“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”We may not be able to explain exactly how the new birth comes about, but we can see its effects.Where there is genuine new birth, you always see the results.Where the new birth has genuinely come from God, you will see transformation-a changed life.Not perfection, but the beginning of life from God that shapes our existence in a new direction.Christianity is not about ritualism, religious practice, or self-directed morality.The new birth signals more than a profession of faith; it signals transforming power. The new birth transforms, because it is God’s work not ours.
Jesus’ Authority to Speak
“We speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen...No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.”Jesus can speak of the new birth, because it originates in heaven—where he is from.
How Jesus Brings New Birth
We provide the sin, death and destruction; God provides forgiveness and life.We receive life not by ritual or effort, but by looking to God’s salvation in faith.On his cross Jesus provided the means by which we have new birth.In John 3, eternal life is the product of new birth.If you have new birth, you have life, and this life is eternal.New birth causes us to see—looking to the crucified and risen Christ for eternal life.By his death we have life.

"The God Who Becomes a Human Being"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Becomes a Human Being”: Chapter Seven
A God Who Is Coming
The prophets speak of a time when God would come to his people.The mystery is that sometimes this coming of God is also linked with the coming of a man, a Davidic kingThe little child is also the Mighty God, Everlasting Father (Is 9:6).
New Testament
Matthew and Luke: a child born of a virgin who is the “Son of God” come to “save his people from their sins.”Jesus is God’s solution to the sin problem begun in Genesis 3.
John 1:1-18
John’s gospel does not begin with the story of Jesus’ birth but by thinking about what the coming of Jesus means.Jesus is the eternal Word, the eternal God who became human and came to us.
John 1:1
OT understanding of “Word” God’s self-expressionGod’s revelationThe agent of God in creation The agent of God that comes to save and transform God’s people.“was with God” – God’s peer“was God” – God himself
The Three-in-One God
John’s Gospel helps us to understand the complexity of the eternal Triune God.Jesus is to be differentiated from God and yet at the same time is God.God (Father, Son, and Spirit) sharing eternal love before time.
John 1:2-13
The Word creates us: The agent of God in creationThe Word gives us light and life: The same light that brought life to creation brings eternal life to this world of corruption and death.The Word confronts and divides.Belief in Jesus by being born of God
John 1:14-18
The Word became a human being. Allusions to Exodus 32-34Tabernacle/TempleGloryGrace & Truth (Love & Faithfulness)Grace & LawSeeing God

"The God Who Is Unfathomably Wise"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Is Unfathomably Wise” – Chapter Six
Two Types of Writings
PsalmsWisdom LiteratureSome overlap between the two:Some psalms are wisdom literatureSome wisdom literature is poeticThese books don’t advance the story, but are a reflection of the life of God’s people “during the story.”Psalms
The God Who Makes His People SingVarious Kinds of PsalmsPsalm 1Psalm 8Psalm 14Psalm 19Psalm 40Psalm 51Wisdom Literature
The God Who Is Unfathomably WiseProverbsJobEcclesiastes

"The God Who Reigns"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Reigns” - Chapter Five
God’s Kingdom Over All
God’s Reign should not be confused with “reduced” ideas of kingship in the modern world.As Creator, God reigns over all. His sovereignty covers every domain in the universe.You cannot not be in God’s kingdom in this sense.
God’s Kingdom Over Israel
God also reigns in a special sense over a subset of his universal dominion.He reigns as king over his redeemed, covenant people.He rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt, covenanted with them, and now reigns over them as their King.
From Moses to David
Moses/Joshua – God appointed leader, mediating God’s law.Judges – vacuum of godly leadership, rebellion and chaos.Saul – a king after the peoples’ heartDavid – a king after God’s heart
The Covenant with David
2 Samuel 7David’s desire to build a “house” (temple) for God.David’s plan rejected. Why?God alone takes the initiative in key moments of his plan.God makes his servants great, not the other way around.God will build a “house” (dynasty) for David.God ensures the continuance of the dynasty in spite of human sin.The Davidic king is to reign as God’s “son” – patterned after him.An everlasting dynasty–eventually fulfilled by an ever-living King.
King David to King Jesus
Kingdom DividedNorthern Kingdom (Israel) – rejected Davidic dynasty, defeated and deported to Assyria.Southern Kingdom (Judah) – mostly wicked kings, eventually defeated and exiled to Babylon.A small remnant returns to JudahTemple is rebuilt, but pales in comparison to Solomon’s.God’s people dominated by succession of world powers – Persia, Greece, & Rome.At the turn of history, Israel ruled by Rome and fake kings like Herod.
Jesus and His Kingdom
Descendant of Abraham & DavidMulti-faceted understanding of “Kingdom” in Jesus’ teachingWheat/tares“Born again”Already here but still more to comeJesus must reign until he defeats all of his foes, the last being death.
1 Corinthians 15:25-26
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
King Jesus will bring final resolution to the problem of sin and death that began in Genesis 3. Jesus atones for sin and conquers death for his people.

"The God Who Legislates"

The God Who Is There
Written By D. A. Carson
“The God Who Legislates”: Chapter Four
Truth, Inclusion & Exclusion
Is it possible to be completely open and inclusive?Is it possible to have a “group” without any boundaries?What is truth and where do we find it?Is freedom completely without boundaries?
God and Truth
If we reject God as Creator, then our search for truth and meaning will be elusive.God has spoken and has legislated. He lays down laws…for our good.God’s law is bound up with the joyous freedom of life lived under the God who made us.
From Eden to Sinai
CreationFallCall and Covenant with AbrahamAbraham’s DescendantsSlavery in EgyptCall of Moses and God’s deliveranceThe Sinai Covenant
The Ten Commandments
First Four: Relationship with GodSecond Six: Relationship with PeopleThe Ten Commandments are not the whole Law but serve as its foundation and core.The other commandments stand in relationship to these Ten.
The First Four
1: No other gods: God’s exclusivity2: No idols: God’s transcendence3: Not using God’s name in vain: God’s importance/honor4: Honor the Sabbath: God’s right of reign, including over our use of time
The Second Six
5: Honor Parents: Respect God-appointed authority6: No Murder: Respect human life made in God’s image7: No Adultery: Respect marriage and family and covenants made8: No Theft: Respect others’ property9: No False Witness: Respect truth and justice10: No Coveting: Respect and guard your own heart by learning contentment with God’s good gifts
Observations
God speaks and commandsCentral in Old TestamentFirst four lead to the next sixFlow out of God’s deliverance of his peopleDon’t introduce a new morality, but codify God’s expectations for his covenant people
Ceremonial Law
Tabernacle and FurnishingsMost Holy PlaceArk of the CovenantPriests and SacrificesDay of AtonementGod holds his people to account.How can you be reconciled to God?
Exodus 32-34
God cannot be worshiped other than in the way he has prescribed.God is holy and must judge sin, but he is also merciful and forgiving.The Day of Atonement holds these aspects of God’s nature in tension…Until they reach final resolution in the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus.

"The God Who Does Not Wipe Out Rebels"

The God Who Is ThereWritten by D. A. CarsonChapter Two: “The God Who Does Not Wipe Out Rebels”Introduction"You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die."  (Genesis 2:16-17, NIV)What happens in Genesis 3 is foundational for understanding the rest of the Bible.Understanding Genesis 3Genesis 3 contains symbols that must be interpreted, but the story and its main point are clearly understood.Genesis 3 records the disobedience of our first human parents, which had consequences for all humanity and the world.Deception and RebellionSatan questions God’s words.Satan exaggerates God’s restriction.Satan causes the woman to doubt God’s goodness.Satan lies about God’s judgment.Satan entices with self-determination and self-worship.ConsequencesInversion of Created OrderDeathShame and GuiltLoss of innocence w/ no returnBroken relationship w/ GodBroken relationship w/ peopleDenial of personal responsibilityAttempted self-justificationCursesSerpentCast out and rejectedUltimate defeat predictedWomanPain and difficulty in childbirthDisharmony in marriage relationshipManToil and frustration in workWhole created order suffersLong-Term EffectsSin has consequences.Guilt must be covered by atonement.Atonement comes by death and the shedding of blood.Animal sacrifice was provisional and typological, preparing way for Christ’s ultimate atoning sacrifice.ImplicationsRight and Wrong: moral consciousness or evolutionary aid?Evil: horizontal and verticalOur problem: idolatry and alienation from GodOur need: to be reconciled to God-we need a Savior.

"The God Who Made Everything"

The God Who Is ThereWritten By D. A. CarsonChapter One: “The God Who Made Everything”IntroductionRise of biblical illiteracyBible: collection of Christianity’s foundation documentsBible is a diverse collection of documentsThe Bible reveals “the God who is there”Genesis 1-2Record of the creation of the universe by GodGod creates an orderly world and fills it with living creaturesThe climax of God’s creation is human beings, made in His imageGenesis 1-2 & ScienceMore ambiguity in the interpretation of these chapters than some Christians recognizeMore ambiguity in claims of science than some scientists realizeChallenge of “irreducible complexity” points to Designer“However complex the debates over Genesis 1-2…there is an irreducible minimum that these chapters must be saying for the Bible to have any coherence at all…”Some Things about GodGod simply is.God made everything that is non-God.There is only one of Him.God is a talking God.Everything God makes is good.God comes to an end of his creative work, and he rests.The creation proclaims his greatness and glory.The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1, NIV)Some Things about PeopleWe are made in the image of God.In a finite way, we reflect God.CreativityCapacity to workCapacity to ruleCapacity to serve as God’s stewardsWe were made male and female.The man and his wife were innocent.Some things about How Genesis 1-2 Fits into the BibleForm necessary background to Gen. 3 and rest of BibleDoctrine of creation recurs throughout the rest of the Bible and finds fulfillment in “new creation”Shapes our worldviewGrounds human accountability