Tag: everlasting destruction
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.
Suffering and God’s retribution!
Scripture reading for September 20th: 2nd Thessalonians 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Thessalonians 1:6-10 “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.”
The Thessalonian church was suffering severe persecution and Paul sought to bring them comfort and hope. Here he reminds them that God is just! God’s justice shows mercy to those who suffer and promises relief at the right time. God’s justice forgives those who repent of their rebellion and of the suffering they caused the righteous. God’s justice also repays unrepentant sinners for their wickedness in causing human suffering, especially of God’s people. The payment is “everlasting destruction” and being “shut out from the presence of the Lord”! God’s people will see His glory and behold His majesty!
Observations for over-comers: All vengeance belongs to the Lord–He alone is just and able to judge the heart and know those who have not repented. Remember all lost people will suffer “everlasting destruction!” “And they (the Redeemed) will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” (Isaiah 66:24)
God is just!
Scripture reading for September 21st: 2nd Thessalonians 1
Sometime after Paul had written his first letter to the church he had founded, reports came of confusion among members of the church concerning the coming of Jesus Christ.
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are suffering.” (2nd Thessalonians 1:3-5) Paul spoke encouragingly to his brothers about their faith and love in the midst of trial. He reminded them that their perseverance in the trials was a sign of God’s favor upon them.
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2nd Thessalonians 1:6-8) God is just! God knows how to pay back those who do evil and reward the righteous. Jesus would return from heaven and right the injustice and they would receive their reward, if they continued to persevere!
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” (2nd Thessalonians 1:11) Paul prayed for fulfillment of God’s will, not deliverance from trials!
Ready when Christ is revealed!
Scripture reading for October 13th: 2nd Thessalonians 1:1-12
Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and making intercession for His bride, the Church. (Romans 8:34) We don’t see Him, but He is our brother and Priest. One day, He will be revealed from heaven to this earth. Jesus taught that the Son of Man would come on the clouds with power and great glory. His angels would gather the elect from all over the earth. No one knew when this day would occur, but all should be ready and working! (Matthew 24:30-31, 36, 46)
Paul wrote a second letter to the Thessalonians in which he sought to refute a false teaching that Jesus had already come and to strengthen the church there in preparation for the reality of the Day of the Lord. The Thessalonians had taken Paul’s Gospel and instructions in his previous letter to heart. They were growing in faith and love for each other. They were persevering in trials in the face of persecution from the pagans in the culture. (2nd Thessalonians 1:3-4)
Paul told them that those who were troubling them would get their due punishment. They must have patience and endure. “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.” (2nd Thessalonians 1:7b-10)
Jesus will be revealed from heaven! He will come in blazing fire with His holy angels and those who are not standing in faith will not stand. It is truly a terrifying thing to know this truth and not be sharing the Gospel with those who are still lost. The punishment of unbelievers is an everlasting punishment, just like the reward of Christians is everlasting life with Christ! Unbelievers will be shut out from God’s presence forever, in outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth! (Matthew 24:51) Are you ready to meet our Lord?
Live a Life Worthy of His Calling!
Scripture reading for December 6th: 2nd Thessalonians 1-3
As Christians, we are called by God to become sons of God Father through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. This calling is to eternal life in heaven and to be faithful witnesses of His love and grace in our time here on earth. Paul commended the Thessalonian church for their love that was growing and faith that was increasing. They were going through trials and persecution and suffering at the hands of wicked men. This was troubling them.
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all who believed.” (2nd Thessalonians 1:6-10a)
We are not to be concerned about getting even. Our job is to preach the gospel and live holy lives. Jesus can return at any time and there will only be two possible outcomes for each person. He will punish those who do not know Him or obey His gospel with everlasting destruction. This means the lake of fire! (Revelation 20:14) Or He will be glorified in His holy people and they will marvel at His glorious presence! This will happen very suddenly and come with flashing glory and great awe and power. No man will be able to control or change his circumstances at that moment in time that will soon arrive!
These simple truths motivated Paul to pray for the Thessalonians. He prayed that they would be found or counted by God as worthy of His calling. He prayed that by Christ’s power, they would fulfill their purpose and act in faith daily. The hope of Paul, the pastor and apostle, was that Christ would be glorified in them and they in Him! Take time today to pray for yourself along these same lines. Are you living a life worthy of Christ’s high calling into His Glory?