The Wednesday Word ~ 19 June, 2024 A.D.
by D.G. Miles McKee
So, here´s the question: Are we appointed unto wrath? Here´s the answer: “God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).
The apostle, in this passage of Scripture, is writing about the Second Coming of Christ. Let there be no mistake about it, the return of the Lord will be as terrifying for the unbeliever as it will be a blessing for the believer. For more on the fearsomeness of the Day of the Lord see Isaiah 34:4; Isaiah 13:9; Zephaniah 1:14-16; Amos 5:18; Jeremiah 30:7; Malachi 4:1; Joel 2:31.
The return of Jesus will come suddenly and, for many, unexpectedly. It will involve a cosmic upheaval in which the universe will be shaken to its very foundations. It will usher in the severe and merciless judgment of God.
Additionally, all unbelievers are already under the wrath of God (see John 3:36). But wrath is not God's appointment for the believer. God has not appointed us unto wrath. On that great and terrible event, the Lord will come like “a thief in the night” and when He comes, some will receive damnation while others will receive salvation.
Salvation?
Yes, salvation!
Look and see how simple this is, "God has not appointed us to wrath.” However, you may ask, Who are the “us “? The “us” pertains to every believer, who through grace trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ. God has appointed them...the “us” to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for “us.”
Yes indeed, faith receives that He has died for us. Think about it, when He comes back to gather up His own, whether we are on the earth, or in the grave, whether we wake or sleep, it makes no difference. We shall eternally live with Him.
Now, before we conclude this Wednesday Word let me ask, are you ready for the Lord's coming? If He returned to-day, would you "live together with Him"? You say, " I am trying to live for Him."
Sorry!
That won't do; We don't get eternal life by trying to live for Christ; We get salvation as lost sinners simply by faith.
Faith trusts that, in Christ, God has become man. As a man, He displayed perfect goodness, perfect love, perfect grace, and perfect holiness. He, in His doing and dying, accomplished the work that qualifies us to go where He has already gone.
He lived for us, He went down to death for us, He gave Himself for us, He bore our sins for us, He atoned for us, He blotted out our sins with His own precious blood. Then He went into the depth of the grave but after three days He, “broke the bars” of the tomb, rose and went into glory, and now says to us, I am coming back for you, that, “where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).
Praise the Lord, we have not been appointed to wrath. We have been appointed to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lived and died and rose again for us.
Blessed be His name, praise His name! Believe on Him and rejoice that God has not appointed us to wrath, but appointed to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us ....—1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
And that´s the Gospel Truth!
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