3:7 the wrath to come. The Old Testament promised the coming of the Lord in righteous judgment (Ps. 96:13; Zeph. 2:1, 2; Mal. 3:2). John will not allow the leaders to suppose that the cup of God’s wrath is only for Israel’s enemies, and that their own nation will escape. John was later puzzled that Jesus did not bring judgment (11:2, 3 and note).