Tag: holy angels
Day 5–Fire of Eternal Punishment
Scripture reading for May 15: Matthew 13:38-42 “The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them in a fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Revelation 14:9-11 “”If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
The biblical teaching of eternal punishment and the lake of fire is not popular in the church today. Many think of it as a myth and a place that would never exist if Jesus is a God of love. But God’s Word gives us all a sober warning about its certainty and duration. It is part of God’s justice and divine retribution that in the end assures that each person receives a just punishment or a just forgiveness of all sins. There is no partiality or favoritism with God.
The parable of the weeds in the field was taught by Jesus to show how at the final harvest Jesus would send out the holy angels to gather them in bundles to be burned. These weeds, unredeemed people, were sown by the evil one, the devil, in the field of the world. They had promoted sin and lawlessness in rebellion to God’s Word. They had refused the cup of mercy offered them by Jesus through His sacrifice of blood and body. They would receive the cup of God’s wrath in the presence of the Lamb and holy angels.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your justice and mercy. We know that You have done everything You could to provide forgiveness of sins to all who would accept. Help us as faith first responders to share your plan of mercy with those still in danger of this eternal fire. Amen.
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.
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?