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Everlasting destruction

Scripture reading for September 19: 2 Thessalonians 1

“Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, for which you are also suffering–since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of everlasting destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints and to be marveled at among all who believed, . .” 2Thessalonians 1:4-10

There is much debate in the world concerning heaven and hell and a loving God. Some professing to believe in Jesus, find that they cannot believe that a God Who loves man made in His image would ever send anyone to a place like hell. But God describes hell as a place of everlasting darkness and weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus taught that there was no escape from there once a person dies. (Luke 16:22-26)

Here in this passage, Paul explains that it is God’s prerogative to repay sin and evil. He is just and will give each person exactly what is deserved. All sin and rebellion leads to death and not just physical death. Each person has an eternal existence and God prepared a place for the devil and his angels and for those refusing His offer of forgiveness and deliverance from God’s justice. Paul emphasized that God would repay. People refusing the Gospel of Jesus Christ would suffer ‘everlasting destruction’ shut away from God’s glorious presence and light forever. God Himself has set a day when this final judgment will be rendered to the lost and rewards given to those who have repented and received mercy.

How would you describe your world view regarding God’s justice and love in punishing the disobedient with everlasting destruction? What have you done to insure that you will be marveling at Jesus Christ when He returns? How do you understand God’s heart of love offered to all mankind?

Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of salvation from everlasting destruction through Jesus Christ. I am resting in Your Word that all who call on Jesus Christ will be saved. Use me today to share the Gospel to those still in darkness and disobedience. Reach my family that all may marvel at Your return. Amen.