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We are, in this world, represented as being remarkably under the influence of self-love; but, with regard to the eternal future, the self-love of man is strangely perverted and enfeebled. One of the main objects of the sacred writings is to grapple with this fatal tendency, and one mode is to announce men's danger by reason of their sinful folly; and also the only method by which that danger can be averted. Notice —

I. THE INFLICTION TO WHICH THIS SOLEMN CAUTION RELATES. What is it that we have to beware of? You will find in the context that it is "the anger," or "the wrath of God" (ver. 41; Isaiah 29:14; Habakkuk 1:5). Observe —

1. The cause from which the threatened anger arises. God created the universe for His praise, and filled it with all the elements of happiness. And when we find Him going forth amid the threatenings of vengeance, to what is the change to be ascribed? To the introduction of sin. The first transgressors were angels who kept not their first estate, and are reserved, under chains and darkness, unto the judgment of the great day! Afterwards man became a sinner, and "by one man's disobedience, many have been made sinners." Hence it is that there comes the threatening. Now, is there anything in this but an equitable arrangement of consequence as following cause?

2. The operations in which that wrath is manifested.

(1) We have tokens around us of the anger of God against sin. In the barrenness of the wilderness; in the scorching of the summer heat; in the withering of the wintry frost; and in disease, pestilence, and death.

(2) And then we must not forget that there are examples of His vengeance of a temporal nature. The deluge, the destruction of the cities of the Plain, the plagues of Egypt, the punishment of the Jaws, etc.

(3) And have there been no manifestations of the wrath of God against sin in modern times?

(4) But is there nothing beyond? We have spoken of temporal evils, but we hear of many announcements in the sacred writings of "the wrath which is to come."

II. THE CONSIDERATIONS BY WHICH THIS SOLEMN CAUTION MAY BE ESPECIALLY ENFORCED. Beware of this wrath —

1. On account of the suddenness with which it is frequently inflicted. "Because there is wrath, beware lest He take thee away with a stroke." "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, aid that without remedy." There are examples which God has given, in order to illustrate and confirm these general declarations. For example, Nabad and Abihu, Korah and his company, Belshazzar, Ananias, Herod. And have we had no instance of the infliction of the wrath of God in our own times and amongst ourselves? Beware! for the wrath of God, on account of sin, may come upon you unawares.

2. Because when inflicted it causes irreparable ruin. We are not speaking now of temporal evils, but of the future state (Luke 13:24-30).

III. THE CONDUCT TO WHICH THIS SOLEMN CAUTION SHOULD LEAD.

1. Men are to embrace the refuge which God has provided from the wrath to come. The Governor of the universe has, while preserving the honour of His justice, magnified the riches of His grace, and He is willing that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance. And if men, feeling their guilt and their danger, will but come unto Him in the exercise of faith, they shall be forgiven.

2. The resort to the remedy which has been provided must be without delay. Why should we delay? You bare delayed long enough. You have often been invited, and often summoned to beware.Remember —

1. The brevity and uncertainty of life.

2. The hardening influence of sin.

(J. Parsons.)

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KJV: Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

WEB: Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the prophets: