Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, it is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. This was His illustration of how to live the Christian life.
Lu 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
When He comes back a second time, He wants to find faith.
God’s grace teaches us how to obey, Titus 2:11-12, however we only receive grace through faith.
Unbelievers see God’s grace but will not recieve it until they decide to have fairh.
Jesus showed us how to please God.
After the crucifixion He comes again Spiritually to judge or evaluate people based upon what He showed us while He was here physically.
If He approves of a Christian’s progress, they advance by getting a greater supply of the reward, Matt 25:23 and Matt 25:34.
Matt 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matt 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
If Jesus disapproves, they will suffer loss, 1 Cor 3:15.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Cor 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Jesus is coming or appearing again, not physically but in Spirit. Will He find faith or disobedience?
2Ti 4:1 ¶ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.
He does not come a second time to judge the physically dead. They are already dead! What would be the point?
God wants to teach people to obey Him, not to condemn them for sin.
He comes a second time to judge the spiritually dead.
An illustration of how He comes (through the thief, 2 Pet 3:10) to judge can be seen from Isaiah 19:1.
Isa 19:1 ¶ The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
God sent Jesus the first time as an illustration of what is acceptable, and also what brings the “Day” of vengeance/”Day” of the Lord.
Isa 61:1 ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the “day” of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
When Jesus appears after His crucifixion it is for the purpose of salvation.
He is sent a second time to bring about the salvation of His people, Acts 3:20.
Ac 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
There are two kinds of people mentioned in 2 Th1:8. They both experience Jesus’ vengeance/judgment.
The first kind are those who don’t know God.
We are told that God will judge those outside the church, 1 Cor 5:12. Unbelievers are without or outside of the law of God and the Church.
1 Cor 5:12 ¶For what have I (Paul speaking) to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1 Cor 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
The Bible does tell us what the unbelievers ultimate fate is (They will perish, John 3:16), but it also tells us not to judge them.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Ro 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law.
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judges. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.
We are to recognize ungodliness, but we should not discipline a person for disobedience.
God reserves discipline for Himself.
The reward for being right in God’s eyes is the kingdom of God. When we see righteousness joy and peace in a person’s life, they have been given the kingdom by God, Rm 14:17.
Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
When we see the lack of these characteristics, we know that the kingdom has not been given to them.
The second kind of people mentioned in 2 Thess 1:8 is those that “don’t obey. This group is comprised of people who know about God but don’t obey him.
Knowledge about God and His kingdom is only given to Jesus followers, Mark 4:11.
Mr 4:11 And he said unto them, unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
The Christians who know God but don’t obey Him are judged by God according to the His Law. We are aware of this Law as Romans 2:12 states.
Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
The wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness when obedience is complete 2 Cor 10:6.
2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
In order to be just, God only administers judgment after the way to obedience is attainable by a person.
There are two kinds of people in the world. Believers and unbelievers, I have just shown that the “Day” of the Lord’s vengeance occurs in the lives of each one of them. They are however judged differently from one another.
The reason Jesus came to earth the first time to show us what God accepts and what brings His vengeance, Isaiah 61:1-2.
Jesus’ illustration of how to please God is complete/finished, and we have the Bible as a record of it.
As we see the events of the world unfolding before us, we simply have to recognize weather or not “God’s desired result” in those instances has been attained or not, 1 Tim 1:5.
1Ti 1:5 ¶ Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
With that in mind we can ascertain why things are occurring the way that they are.
We must recognize the judgment of the Lord as it is being administered to both believers and unbelievers.
1 Cor 11:19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. NIV