What is the good news about Jesus? Why would people refuse to obey Jesus? When is he coming to inflict God’s vengeance? How is it that people do not know about God’s wrath? When did Jesus Christ become Lord?
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10… This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for YOU, 7 but, to YOU who suffer tribulation, relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels 8 in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. 9 These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, 10 at the time he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder in connection with all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among YOU.
Why would somebody not obey Jesus Christ? How could you not know about God? What is behind the meaning of the word refuse?
It may seem harsh to think that God brings about the destruction by vengeance upon those who do not know him. But really God is not left himself without representation, he has set forth prophets, he has given his word to the world and even when you look around at creation itself, we can’t help but to come to realize that something or someone is behind creation.
Romans 1:18-25… For God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who are suppressing the truth in an unrighteous way, 19 because what may be known about God is manifest among them, for God made it manifest to them. 20 For his invisible [qualities] are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable; 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God nor did they thank him, but they became empty-headed in their reasonings, and their unintelligent heart became darkened. 22 Although asserting they were wise; they became foolish 23 and turned the glory of the incorruptible God into something like the image of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed creatures and creeping things. 24 Therefore God, in keeping with the desires of their hearts, gave them up to uncleanness, that their bodies might be dishonored among them, 25 even those who exchanged the truth of God for the lie and venerated and rendered sacred service to the creation rather than the One who created, who is blessed forever.
Even these last two Scriptures that we just read indicates that punishment is due to those who do not listen, these very ones are bringing about a tribulation upon the people who love God and Jesus.
It may seem that the word refuse may be a little strong in describing “not obeying” Jesus. But really is it? What is the definition for the word refuse?
The definition for the word refuse indicates that one is not willing to do something, there is a required action that they fail to act upon. The people who failed to act upon the knowledge of God and the knowledge of Jesus Christ will suffer God’s wrath a vengeance brought upon mankind. Why would people refuse to obey?
Jesus Christ revealed one reason why people would not accept the kingdom of God.
Luke 11:52… Woe to YOU who are versed in the Law, because YOU took away the key of knowledge; YOU yourselves did not go in, and those going in YOU hindered (G2967)!
Matthew 23:13… Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up (G2808) the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in.
Those who knew God’s word took away the key of knowledge about God’s kingdom, they themselves did not want to go in, and anybody wanting to go in they hindered or prevented, shutting it up, as if they got up and closed and locked the door as it were.
Nothing really has changed, the same men who claim to be in charge of God’s people today hinder and prevent knowledge about entry into the kingdom of God, they get up and lock the door on the possibility of entry into the kingdom of God.
What did God want people to know? What is the good news about Jesus Christ? Why are people failing to act upon or unwilling to do?
The Good News
What is the good news about Jesus Christ? What was his message and what are we required to do?
Malachi 3:1-3… Jesus is the true Lord and the messenger of the covenant.
John 1:9… Jesus would enlighten mankind about the truth.
John 15:17… Love one another.
John 1:12-14… Jesus gave authority to those who accepted him to become God’s children. All those believing in his name, those acting in faith.
John 1:33… Jesus comes and baptizes you in holy spirit.
John 3:3, 5-7… You need to be born again to see the kingdom of God.
John 6:53-69… We must partake of the Bread & Wine to be able to have everlasting life. Also see Philippians 3:13-15
What is the new covenant?
John 3:35-36… The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life; he that disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
Jesus Christ Becomes Lord
When did Jesus Christ become Lord?
Hebrews 1:3… He is the reflection of [his] glory and the exact representation of his very being, and he sustains all things by the word of his power; and after he had made a purification for our sins he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty in lofty places.
Jesus Christ sat down at God’s right hand after he made a purification for us. We know when this happen because the holy spirit was sent forth in 33CE at Pentecost. You should read all of Acts 2:1-33
Acts 2:33… Therefore because he was exalted to the right hand of God and received the promised holy spirit from the Father, he has poured out this which YOU see and hear.
The apostle Thomas gave us the right viewpoint and attitude about Jesus Christ at John 20:28. Jesus Christ becomes our Lord as soon as you accept him as such.
Philippians 2:9-11… For this very reason also, God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every [other] name, 10 so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, 11 and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Don’t you think it’s time to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord? Why don’t you take a knee right now and proclaim it?
God’s Wrath
How is it that people do not know about God’s wrath?
There is an enemy of God who does not want you to know the truth about God nor the salvation that he holds out to mankind. All of mankind are under the authority of this enemy until they are released by Jesus Christ who we obey as our Lord.
Ephesians 2:2-3… YOU at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience. Yes, among them we all at one time conducted ourselves in harmony with the desires of our flesh, doing the things willed by the flesh and the thoughts, and we were naturally children of wrath even as the rest.
John 3:36… He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life; he that disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
Coming to Inflict Vengeance
What is the meaning of the word vengeance?
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9… but, to YOU who suffer tribulation, relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels 8 in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance (G1557 judgement) upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. 9 These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength.
The meaning of the word translated as vengeance according to the Strong’s concordance #G1157 (ekdikesis). It can mean vindication, a complete punishment or properly a judgment. So, when the Lord Jesus Christ appears in heaven he will come with a fiery judgment. The apostle Peter also mentioned about this fiery judgment and what it will accomplish.
2 Peter 3:10-12… Yet Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a hissing noise, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be discovered. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought YOU to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, 12 awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which [the] heavens being on fire will be dissolved and [the] elements being intensely hot will melt
Have you seen such a site in heaven? Then there is time to repent before the coming day of the Lord.
I Am the Lord’s Servant
How can you tell who is the Lord’s true servant today?
It would be the one who tells you the truth found in God’s word at all times not just when it benefits them. Not someone who shifts you away from the good news about Jesus Christ over to another good news. For there is a curse or destruction to all who pervert the good news about Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:6-10… I marvel that YOU are being so quickly removed from the One who called YOU with Christ’s undeserved kindness over to another sort of good news. 7 But it is not another; only there are certain ones who are causing YOU trouble and wanting to pervert (G3344 corrupt) the good news about the Christ. 8 However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to YOU as good news something beyond what we declared to YOU as good news, let him be accursed (G331 divine curse). 9 As we have said above, I also now say again, whoever it is that is declaring to YOU as good news something beyond what YOU accepted, let him be accursed.
There has been pronounced a curse both on the angels and to the men who teach such a corrupted good news. It will become plain as the nose on your face the plagues that come to be upon them. Yes, Lord Jesus let the divine judgment fall upon them Amen.
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