Last rites declaration of Ioannes Paulus PP. II (Karol Wojtyla)
2nd April 2005
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nothing, and less than nothing: both their love and their
hatred is to be despised. The wrath of the great King of kings, is as
much more terrible than theirs, as his majesty is greater. Luke 12:4,5.
"And I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the
body, and after that, have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn
you whom you shall fear: fear him, which after he hath killed, hath
power to cast into hell: yea, I say unto you, Fear him."
It is the fierceness of his wrath that you are exposed to. We often read
of the fury of God; as in Isa. 59:18. "According to their deeds,
accordingly he will repay fury to his adversaries." So Isa. 66:15. "For
behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a
whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of
fire." And in many other places. So, Rev. 19:15, we read of "the wine
press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." The words are
exceeding terrible. If it had only been said, "the wrath of God," the
words would have implied that which is infinitely dreadful: but it is
"the fierceness and wrath of God." The fury of God! the fierceness of
Jehovah! Oh, how dreadful that must be! Who can utter or conceive what
such expressions carry in them! But it is also "the fierceness and wrath
of almighty God." As though there would be a very great manifestation of
his almighty power in what the fierceness of his wrath should inflict,
as though omnipotence should be as it were enraged, and exerted, as men
are wont to exert their strength in the fierceness of their wrath. Oh!
then, what will be the consequence! What will become of the poor worms
that shall suffer it! Whose hands can be strong? And who