A Word Of Warning For The Enemies Of Christ Series

A WORD OF WARNING FOR THE ENEMIES OF GOD

II Thessalonians 1:4-10

These verses draw a contrast between 2 groups of people. Paul speaks a word of comfort to the Thessalonian Christians who were being persecuted for their faith in Christ. He also gives a warning about the future of those who were persecuting them.

This morning we examined the comfort that is available to Christians facing persecution. This evening I want us to examine the fate of those who persecute Christians. Furthermore, in these verses we will see the fate of all of the enemies of God.

- Let’s look to verses 4-10 as we examine “A Warning For The Enemies Of God”.

The Thessalonian Christians were in the midst of a very troublesome time. They had endured great persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. In this passage, Paul assures them that their enemies them would be dealt with in due time. The enemies of God do not fear His judgment. They live life on their terms with no thought concerning the consequences of their rebellion.

- Listen to how they are described in:

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Though they profess that they do not believe in God, and though they may think that they have no reason to fear God, one day they will face the wrath of God! Paul mentions this in verse 7. He declares that:

I. JESUS IS COMING BACK IN GREAT POWER

When Jesus comes He will be "revealed from Heaven with His mighty Angels". There are several magnificent descriptions throughout the Bible concerning this event. I want us to look at a couple of them today.

Jesus spoke of His return in the “Olivet Discourse”:

Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

- Jesus gave John a glimpse of His return in:

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

When Jesus returns He is going to establish His Kingdom. At this point in time His unrivaled power will be revealed. He will demonstrate His authority over the entire universe. When Jesus returns, all of creation will be involved. Scripture tells us that the sun will not shine, nor will the moon. The stars will fall, the planets will be shaken and the sea will roar

Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.