Jesus Is Coming Again Pt. 20 Jesus Christ Will Return In Flaming Fire Bringing Judgment! Are You ready To Face Him?

By the time Paul wrote his second letter to the Christians at Thessalonica, he learned that a wrong interpretation of eschatology (end times) was spreading. 

False teaching about the second coming of Christ began to trouble those saints.  Therefore, Paul quickly started to teach truth and expose the lies.

Praise for persevering saints at Thessalonica.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-6  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; 

Before addressing the wrong teaching, Paul praises the Thessalonians for their perseverance and endurance. 

Their faith was growing strongly because they received the scriptures as it is in truth, the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). They were hungry to hear from God so that they could rightly worship Him, and live for His glory.

These Christians suffered persecution and various trials because of their strong faith in Jesus Christ. Paul encouraged them to look beyond the sufferings by remembering that God will bring judgment upon those who persecute them. 

Every eye will see Jesus in all His glory. 

2 Thessalonians 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 

In this text, there is no doubt as to which aspect of Christ's return is in view. Paul is not speaking of about the resurrection of life, when the dead in Christ are raised and the living Christians caught up to meet Jesus in the clouds.

Rather, Paul is telling us what it will be like when Jesus returns to destroy the antichrist and to establish His universal kingdom reign on earth. 

In contrast to the day of resurrection and the rapture of the church, this return of Christ will unleash God's power. King Jesus will lead heaven's army and bring swift judgment upon Christ rejecters and those who live in depravity. 

The heavens will open and men will cry out in terror.

Revelation 6:14-17  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15)  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16)  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17)  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? 

Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. This will be the day when all those remaining on earth will see Jesus Christ coming in all His power and glory. 

Heaven will be opened like a scroll and massive earthquakes will displace the continents and islands. 

The sight of the glorified LORD will fill their hearts with terror and they will beg the mountains to fall upon them. Seeing Christ in His glory, knowing that He is coming to punish them for their sins, fills them with dread and fear.

The words "great day of his wrath is come" connects this with the day of the LORD judgment spoken of by the Old Testament  prophets.

Jesus will come in flaming fire judging Christ rejecters. 

2 Thessalonians 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Jesus will return in flaming fire and He is going to take His revenge upon all those who rejected the gospel of Christ and who persecuted and murdered the children of God.

This flame of fire was seen by Moses at the burning bush bush (Exodus 3:2). It was seen by Moses and all the Hebrews at the giving of the law at Sinai. The Bible says that Mount Sinai quaked, as smoke ascended because of the fiery presence of God (Exodus 19:18). 

This same flame of fire will be seen at the revelation of Jesus Christ, during this day of judgment that Paul is speaking of. 

Daniel calls Jehovah the Ancient of Days, who will cast down the throne of all world powers. Jehovah will establish His own throne of fire with wheels of fire, and a fiery stream will issue from His throne and return to it (See Daniel 7:9-10). 

Fearful judgment and fiery wrath is coming. 

Hebrews 10:27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

The fire symbolizes His own bright glory and consuming vengeance against His foes. Thus, the writer of Hebrews tells us that our God is a consuming fire (See Hebrews 12:29). 

2 Peter 3:7  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 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

The apostle Peter shows us that heaven and earth as we know it, is reserved or set apart by God for a fiery day of judgment. This judgment and fire will fall upon depraved wicked people who rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

This day of the LORD judgment will come upon the inhabitants of the earth like a thief breaking in at night, unannounced. 

People will hear a tremendous noise, when the heavens pass away. All the elements of the physical world are going to be melted with intense heat and all the works of men shall burn. 

2 Thessalonians 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Notice Paul's clear instruction about Jesus returning in judgment. He will take vengeance on all who do not know God (See Matthew 7:21-23; 13:24-30; 13:36-43; 13:47-50; 25:31-46). 

He will bring a just, swift and righteous vengeance  upon those who willfully rejected knowledge of the One, True God of heaven and earth. 

This would include men like Pharaoh who proudly declared "I know not the LORD", when Moses gave him opportunities to know Him. 

Jesus will bring judgment of eternal condemnation.

2 Thessalonians 1:9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 

The people we described will be punished with eternal destruction. Take a moment to think about your loved ones, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. 

This is their destiny if they will not obey the gospel of Christ, and turn to Jesus with repentant faith. 

2 Thessalonians 1:10  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. 

Yet, there will be shouts of glory and praises from all the glorified saints Jesus will bring with Him to this final judgment. 

All believers will shout out praise and adoration for the Lamb of God who was slain, and who comes with all power to set up His righteous kingdom on earth. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We have examined several key texts of scripture that speak about Jesus returning to earth in great glory, to judge the wicked.

It is the duty of each Christian to share the gospel of Christ with people that we know, with family that we love. We do not want them to die and go to eternal Hell. 

Let us read the following text from Romans 10, and allow these inspired words to motivate us, to faithfully share the gospel of Christ. 

God stands ready to save any and all who will repent, and turn to Jesus for salvation. 

Romans 10:8-15  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14)  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15)  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 

Lord Jesus, help us live to carry out your Great Commission work. Please help us make disciples for You, one at a time, and help us show them how to live out their faith, and to keep your commandments. 

May our Lord Jesus Christ be honored by our response to His word. 

Bob