"How long does God’s anger last?" (Alleged Contradiction #E6468)
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
And the LORD’S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.
Numbers 32:13
Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Jeremiah 3:12
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
Micah 7:18
And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.
Jeremiah 17:4
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.
Malachi 1:4
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels…
Matthew 25:41
Response
God is eager to forgive anyone who repents of his sin toward God and accepts His mercy. However, those who reject God’s mercy will endure the eternal wrath of God.
In Psalm 30, the writer has obviously repented (he is praising God in verse 4), and God has forgiven him. Jeremiah 3:12 contains a call to repentance, and Micah 7:19 speaks of forgiveness of sins, which is possible only through Christ. When a person comes to Christ, He forgives their iniquities, but one who rejects Christ has no hope of this forgiveness, and consequently, will spend an eternity enduring the wrath of God.
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