“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” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
Introduction
In a previous study we took note that the apostle Paul cautions his readers not to take revenge on anyone who hates Christ, the church or us as individuals. Here he reveals that one day God will deal with those who refuse to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. Eternal damnation is the final destination of all who will not believe.
Flaming fire
It is incredible that some in the church still teach that a God of love would never eternally punish sinners in Hell, but bring all into Heaven, but the Scripture knows nothing of such a notion as this. “And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matthew 3:10) … “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:40-42) … “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6). The God of love is also “a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). When Christ comes to judge the world His eyes will be like “a flame of fire” (Revelation 19:12) and He will take vengeance upon all unbelievers. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
Punished
The word “punished” in our text literally means “pay the penalty”. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Proverbs 27:12). The punishment is not momentary or for a short period, instead it is for eternity. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23), both the “wages” and the “gift” are everlasting. “Though sinners may be long spared, they will be punished at last. They did sin's work, and must receive sin's wages” (Matthew Henry). “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46).
Destruction
The word “destruction” speaks of absolute ruin rather than annihilation or extinction as the cults teach. “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19) … “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9). The false teaching that a God of love would never damn a soul to Hell might be appealing, but those who teach it are guilty of damning countless souls themselves.
Who will He punish?
Paul tells us that God will judge both atheists, who claim that there is no God, and those who believe in God but live as though He does not exist. Both descriptions speak of those who have no personal relationship with Christ, therefore they are both guilty of rejecting Him as Saviour. They will be eternally banished from His presence. “They must of necessity, therefore, be cut off from all good, and all possibility of it” (John Wesley). Hell, and the Lake of Fire, does not involve extinction or annihilation but is in reality the state of conscious existence in everlasting torment for those who do not follow Christ. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).
Conclusion
Heaven and Hell are a matter of personal choice. A person chooses to follow Christ or reject Him, and it is that choice which determines where he or she will spend eternity. “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:7).
© 24/9/2008