Biddeford Church of Christ

Over the past few years, I have made a concerted effort to speak about the great hope that is found in no one else other than Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior.   Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13). The writer of Hebrews talks of a faith which had a “substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). One verse that I find so comforting is this, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” (1^st Peter 1:3). There is so much GOOD NEWS in the message of Christ! Why say this? Well, there is a part of the gospel that is more difficult to discuss, for it collides with the very idea of the Good News. If we are going to evangelize, what follows needs to be part of the discussion. It should not overshadow the beauty of the cross, but it needs to give insight into the purpose of His cross. So, with a gentleness of spirit, I want us to consider the judgment to come as seen through the writings of Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, as he writes to the church in Thessalonica.

“…in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God,

and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2nd Thessalonians 1:8

You may remember from last week’s lesson that some doubted the actual return of Christ (2^nd Peter 3:3). Here, Paul is using the impending judgment of Christ to try and encourage the church. Why? The church in Thessalonica had great faith, and their care for one another was noteworthy (2^nd Thessalonians 1:3). This was admirable because their “patience and faith” was during times of “persecutions and tribulations” (2^nd Thessalonians 1:4). He reasoned with them, that this will all be worth it and that those who trouble them will not go unpunished. When? “When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (2^nd Thessalonians 1:7).   Vengeance! The NIV uses the word “punish.”  This word carries the idea of vindication, full (complete) punishment. God directs this judgment towards those who have inflicted harm upon God’s faithful, His church. But it is not only against them, for it includes all “those who do not know God, and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” will also face this plight.  One commentator says this speaks of those “who do not embrace it and practice its percepts in their lives.”  What is the point? The Holy Spirit thought it necessary to write to the church and encourage them to remain faithful. Part of the encouragement pointed them to judgment, letting them know that a time would come when God’s faithful would rise to victory while those who opposed them and God would receive their due. What would be their due?

“These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence

of the Lord and from the glory of His power…”  2nd Thessalonians 1:9

Let’s be honest; this does not feel like the gospel, right? That said, I remember something Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…” (Colossians 1:13). Through the beautiful gift of Christ, we have been moved from one place (darkness) and to another (the kingdom of the Son of His love) where we find redemption and forgiveness. That means that the other place, darkness, has neither. There, there is no hope. Those who find themselves there when He returns will face punishment. The word punished means justice, and the word destruction means ruin, doom, and death. I can see why I wish to avoid this subject, for it is so direct and uncomfortable. Although these two words adequately present the dreadful consequence for those who reject Christ, the following thought grabbed my attention. For it talks of how these nonbelievers will be shut out “from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power when He comes…” (2^nd Thessalonians 1:9). Can you imagine what it will be like for those who ignored the gospel, opposed the gospel or denied it, only the find themselves face to face with the Christ, where “every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:10). This image humbles me.

Judgment is why the gospel is so important. This judgment is why we, the church, are encouraged to speak of Christ to a lost and dying world, of which we were once a part. Life has consequences; it simply does. Jesus is the answer to those consequences that sin would bring about. Freedom is found only in Him! Hope is found in no other! He is the GOOD NEWS. Why? Because he is the solution to the bad news that will come to everyone who does not know him when judgment comes.   

Dennis