20 Jan February 26th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

THE LAST DAY FOR THE UNBELIEVERS AND DISOBEDIENT

2 Thessalonians 1:8-10 “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 glory of His might on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”

There are many who believe that in the end, on the last day, no matter what a person has done and what they have believed, God in His infinite love will take them and all people into heaven.  They ask rhetorically, how could a holy and loving God put them into a place of eternal fire?  They cannot fathom God doing so.

Today’s devotional verse addresses this rhetorical question, “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 . . .”  Twice in Romans 5:5 and again in verse 8 St. Paul writes, “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction . . .”

Hebrews 9:27 says to those who believe that in the end there will be no judgement, “ . . . people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment . . .” and 2 Corinthians 5:10 expands on these words, “ . . . we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Yes, on the Last Day all people will stand before Jesus to be judged.  The unbelief of unbelievers will condemn them to everlasting condemnation.  The faith of those who believe in Jesus for their forgiveness, eternal life and salvation will mean Jesus will welcome them into heaven for all eternity.  “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep me in the true faith even to life everlasting.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

All who believe and are baptized Shall see the Lord’s salvation;

Baptized into the death of Christ, They are a new creation.

Through Christ’s redemption they shall stand Among the glorious,

Heavenly band Of ev’ry tribe and nation.

With one accord, O God, we pray: Grant us Your Holy Spirit.

Help us in our infirmity Through Jesus’ blood and merit.

Grant us to grow in grace each day That by this sacrament we may

Eternal life inherit.

(LSB 601)