Delivered from God’s Wrath, Part 1
Sunday, January 19
For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)
Paul has been addressing some very difficult issues in this letter to the Thessalonians. As we have already noted, end times passages like this often create more questions than they answer. However, amid the complexities of these texts are some very plain and sobering truths. One of these truths is that God will pour out His righteous judgment on those who walk in darkness. This judgment will come surprisingly, swiftly, and inescapably. This somber warning troubled the Thessalonians. Their initial concerns about the Day of the Lord were what prompted Paul to write this in the first place.
Now after hearing how terrible this day would be, they had to be wondering if they would be able to endure it. The warning lights were flashing and judgment day was coming. Against this backdrop, Paul’s words in verse 9 must have brought them great relief: “God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.” Through his pen, Paul gave them reassuring words of comfort, hope, and peace.
The “anger” Paul describes in verse 9 could be a wrath of tribulation associated with the Day of the Lord, or it could be a wrath of condemnation associated with hell and final judgment. Either way, we must conclude that this is indeed good news. Having said that, the context favors that Paul has in mind the wrath associated with the Day of the Lord. The Thessalonians knew that Christ had pardoned their sin, purchased their redemption, and delivered them from death. Their present struggles do not appear to be related to questions about their eternal destiny. As the letter reveals, their present struggles were related to questions about future events, namely, the destiny of their dead friends and the coming Day of the Lord. Paul’s purpose was to give them enough knowledge of future events to bring them comfort and encouragement.
Doing the Word
Believe in the Gospel.
Prayer
Dear Father, I believe You sent Your Son to save me and deliver from Your coming anger which You’ll pour out on the world. Help me stay true to my faith in Your Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.