REST AND JUDGMENT

REST AND JUDGMENT

II Thess. 1:7-8  And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven.  He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.  NLT

      There is coming a certain rest for God's children.  No matter how bad things may be for us here on earth, Jesus is coming to take us out of it all and put us in a place of eternal rest.  Jesus is coming for us and when He comes, there will be no doubt about it.

      Paul is referring here to God's final judgment on earth.  There is coming a time when the Church will no longer be on earth to hold back evil.  During those days there will be great persecution against those who choose to trust in God.  There will be a massive rejection of God and an embracing of evil.  Instead of following God, people will be following the Antichrist.  This turning away will last for seven years and then God will bring to a close the reign of evil on earth. 

      He is coming with the hosts of heaven in flaming fire to bring judgment on those who have rejected Him and those who have chosen to not obey God's Word.  Everyone makes choices daily as to whether or not they will let God be in their life.  Everyone makes daily choices as to whether or not to live by God's rules or not.  God has given everyone ample knowledge of right and wrong so that no one will have any leg to stand on when God's judgment falls on them. 

      To know God is to know His Word and obey it.  You do not love God if you do not live by His Word.  There is no wiggle room about this.  The standard of God’s Word is the measuring stick for our holiness and without holiness, no one will enter heaven.

      If you choose to ignore God and His Word, you can be assured that you will come under God's judgment.  God will wait only so long for you to change your ways and let Him be your Savior and Lord.  No matter when it may come for you, Judgment Day is coming.  You will stand before God and give an account for the choices you make now.  Don't mess with God because you will lose.