According to Edwards, those who are spared the wrath of God are the converted. Edwards describes these people as

the holy and happy children of the King of kings.

They are the fortunate individuals who have accepted Christ as lord and, therefore, have received salvation.

Edwards's sermon is aimed squarely at the unconverted, whom he names five times. The unconverted man, Edwards says, rightfully belongs in hell and walks over the rotted boards of the pit of hell, liable at any moment to fall into its flaming fires. He hopes to show the unconverted the immense danger they are in, with the lake of brimstone very close. He says to these people,

There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything between you and hell but the air.

He also informs the unconverted that they will be tortured in front of the holy angels of heaven and in front of Jesus, the lamb of God, so that the might and wrath of God might be on full display. Edwards also tells the unconverted that they are the children of the devil and that God is angry with them day and night.

The converted need to fear none of this, as they are protected and beloved by God. The choice that Edwards offers his listeners is stark, with absolutely no middle ground: either you are in the good graces of God through accepting Christ, or you are on the brink of never-ending punishment, torture, and suffering.