Daily Devotion in II Thessalonians 1

Daily Nugget:
From time to time, one will say, “I cannot believe a loving God would send anyone to a burning Hell!”   Throughout the Word of God, the horrible place of torment is described.  Here it declares that some will go there no matter what man thinks (II Thessalonians 1:8-9).

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

• A place of “flaming fire” (II Thessalonians 1:8). 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 flames.
• A punishment that is God’s “vengeance” (II Thessalonians 1:8). 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…” (II Thessalonians 1:8). 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 who had all kinds of excuses not to tell others the way to Heaven.
• A place for them “… that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  There are many people who claim they know who Christ is. I am sure they do. Satan knows Him, but “knowing” is not trusting Christ alone as Saviour.
  
  Many 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…” (II Thessalonians 1:9). 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 …” (II Thessalonians 1:9). What a horrible place to be without the possibility to ever be reconciled to God — forever alone.

After reading of the horrific place’s descriptions where so many will go, many heads wag in agreement. However, if they really believed there is a Hell, I wonder why so many do not make any attempt to pluck any out of going to Hell’s flame?

Why are there many that have never warned their neighbors, family members, or acquaintances of the consequences of being an unforgiven sinner? Jesus is the only way out of a horrible 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? The choice of your eternity is up to you.”  — Author Unknown

Words to Understand:
Recompense: compensation; repayment

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.