Daily Devotional in II Thessalonians 1

Daily Nugget:
From time to time one will be heard saying’ “I cannot believe a loving God would send a burning hell!” In many places throughout the Word of God the horrible place of torment is described; here it reinstates that, no matter what man thinks, some will go there (vs. 8-9).
anyone to

These scriptures tell us six horrifying facts about Hell. Hell is:

• A place of “flaming fire” (vs. 8). With many trying to sanitize and be polite in describing it, it is a place that no one should ever want to go; it is a place with pain and torment from eternally-burning flames.
• A punishment that is God’s “vengeance” (vs. 8). There are many that mock and laugh at the things of God — now. Some even curse the Creator’s name. No matter how others treat God, there is a payday someday for their behavior: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 
• A place for “… them that know not God …” (vs. 8). Many also say, “I can’t believe God would send those that never heard about Him to hell.” Well, if they believe it or not it is clearly stated here. Perhaps many of the unknowing would not be going there if more saved would tell the lost how to avoid Hell. Gulp! That puts the burden on Christians that had all kinds of excuses not to tell others how to get to Heaven.
• A place for them “… that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”. There are a lot of people who claim they know who Christ is. I am sure they do. Satan personally knows Him, but “knowing” is not trusting Christ alone as Saviour. There are also many that know Him but obey what their religion dictates, rather than what the Scripture says about going to heaven. It is obeying the Gospel that gets us to heaven, not obeying what a religious book or church says if it does not line up with the Word of God.
• A punishment of “… everlasting destruction. …” (vs. 9). Ultimately those in Hell are cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14), and it is a place of eternal torment.
• A place “… from the presence of the Lord …” (vs. 9). What a horrible place to be without the possibility to ever be reconciled with God — forever alone.

After reading some of the horrific descriptions of the place in which so many will spend their eternity, many heads wag in agreement. If they really believed there is a Hell, however, I wonder why so many do not make any attempt to pluck any out of going to Hell’s flame? Why are there so many that have never warned any of their neighbors, family members, or acquaintances of the consequences of being an unforgiven sinner? Jesus is the only way out of a horrible eternity in Hell. Are you sure you are trusting in Christ as salvation from that place? Have you warned anyone lately of its dangers?

Today’s Thought: Smoking or non-smoking section? The choice is up to you today.

Today’s Reading: II Thessalonians 1
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 ¶ Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
11 ¶ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)