Tag: Matthew 13:38-42
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.