Reading 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10: “God is just: He will PAY BACK trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. 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 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 (if you have) believed the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
I hear guys saying sarcastically, “It’s pay-back time!” We’ve all had that desire or thought of revenge at least once. But what God has planned for “pay back” is not a joke nor something to recover from!
God’s hatred of people’s sin and rebellion to Him is just as great as His love for people. God is holy! God has prepared a hell AND a heaven. God can hate and love at the same time, and we are living in the time of God’s great grace: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Think about someone you have hated for what they did to you or to one you love, or for the “trouble” they caused you – do you love that person? It’s really hard unless you’ve been forgiven yourself by the Lord Jesus and His love and peace have been poured into your heart so that you now have the power to truly forgive. We have no power of our own to do so. We will be tested.
BUT, is it possible that someone has NEVER heard of Jesus Christ, never had anyone tell them their own testimony of Jesus Christ, never stepped foot in a church, never read the Bible and never heard the gospel preached by any media – then why would he/she be punished for not knowing God, and therefore not obeying God? (Thessalonians 1:8) That’s not fair, right?
Does God hold us accountable for what we do NOT know, or for what we DO know? I know without a doubt He only holds us accountable to what we do know. One example: A baby (human life) in the womb that is aborted never had the chance to know God and obey God, nor a little child who is not able to understand a such a young age. Yet, God receives them in their death. Jesus told His disciples: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid (stop/prevent) them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
“For the grace of God has appeared to ALL people, bringing salvation to EVERYONE.” Titus 2:11
“What is known about God is plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being UNDERSTOOD from what has been made, so that people are WITHOUT EXCUSE.” Romans 1:19-21
The love of God has made sure that no one will be able to stand before Him on judgment day and question God as to why He didn’t tell them or show them the truth, the way and the life.
“’I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me,’ says the Lord.” Romans 10:20 and Isaiah 65:1
“’All day long I held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people,’ says the Lord.” Romans 10:21 and Isaiah 65:2
Everyone that has ever been born has had God’s Holy Spirit come to them in some way or another with the gospel of Jesus Christ, the TRUTH about the salvation Jesus offers anyone by faith. Most have had the opportunity several times to repent of their sins and turn to the Lord. So, God’s Day of “pay back” to those who never desired to know Him, after all the opportunities He gave them, and who never wanted to obey Him, is well due them.
I’m sure there will be tears and pleading on judgement day, by both the unbelieving without Christ, and the believers with Christ grieving for their loved ones who never came to believe in the Savior of the world.
“For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17