JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN!!
"This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11, NKJV)
Devotion #12 of 15
               
THE PUNISHMENT OF THE UNGODLY
     The punishment of the ungodly is primarily related to the coming of the Lord--and is not confined to a "great tribulation" period upon this earth. The words are clear, and it is incumbent upon us to receive them. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day"
(2 Thess 1:7-10).

     In the end, everything will receive what they want! Those who desired to be without God, without Divine blessing and influence, will be cast out of the Lord's presence.  Reaping time is coming for both the righteous and the wicked! "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Gal 6:7-8). The wicked are sowing to the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). Make no mistake about this, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him" (Jude 14-15).

     The enemies of Christ will not go unpunished. The Lord has reminded us, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Rom 12:19). This is no idle word! Such will be "punished with everlasting destruction (exclusion) from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power"--thrust into a
realm where no divine influence is perceived or known! That realm is described in frightening words. "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt 25:30). Our text describes these as individuals who "know not God, and obey not the Gospel."

     And when will this come to pass? Our text is specific: "when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe . . . in that day." Do you wonder when that day will be? Three verses later, Paul reasons with the Thessalonians on this very point. "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering  Together unto Him" (2 Thess 2:1). Believers will be gathered and the wicked thrust away on the same day. The tares will be removed, and the wheat will be gathered, at the same time--the harvest (Matt 13:39-43). The wicked will be raised to "shame and everlasting contempt" and the righteous to shine as the brightness of the firmament, at the resurrection--when Jesus comes again (Dan 12:2-3; John 5:28-29).

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You that in Christ Jesus I am not appointed to wrath. Help me, in Jesus' name, to take heed to myself and to the doctrine, that I might save myself and those who hear ne, according to your Word (1 Tim 4:16).

-- TOMORROW: HIS REWARD IS WITH HIM --