Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church 2nd Letter Volume 5

Paul Declares the Final Judgement of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ Part 3

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

We human beings define the word punish as imposing a penalty on and the word punishment as something (e.g. imprisonment or paying a fine) someone is made to do to compensate for a wrongdoing, especially for crime; the act of punishing, if we who are evil (Luke 11:13) know and understand that wrongdoing must be punished, then why does rebellious mankind deny God the Father the right to punish every human being for the sin committed against Him the Creator of mankind and who is completely pure and sinless (Habakkuk 1:13). Unlike we human beings God the Father made a way or made it possible for all sinful humanity to be pardoned or forgiven for sin and rebellion against Him and that way is the Cross of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ who had all of humanities sin and rebellion against God the Father laid upon Himself and He took God the Father's punishment for human sin, therefore, Paul knowing this fact declares the fate of all human beings who have refused, rejected, or even resisted this one and only way of having sin forgiven by saying these words, "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;" (2 Thessalonians 1:9) (KJV).

The little English phrase 'shall be punished' is translated by two Greek words, the first is tino meaning to pay a price, that is, as a penalty: - be punished with, the second is dike meaning right (as self evident), that is, justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution): - judgment, punish, vengeance. In other words, God the Father has the Right to now vindicate His Holiness by judging the human beings that have refused, rejected, or resisted His Sacrifice for sin as payment (the Blood of Jesus Christ) to now pay the price or penalty for their own sin and rebellion and unfortunately there is none, no amount of so-called 'good deeds', no one speaking on their behalf in heaven, no monetary payment/bribing, no begging or pleading for mercy then, not even will God the Father show mercy then, for the time for mercy has now expired and judgment and punishment only remain. The punishment of hell and then the lake of fire will be 'everlasting' and this English word is translated by the Greek word aionios meaning perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well): - eternal, for ever, everlasting.

We find a horrible 'Word Picture' painted for us of this awful, atrocious, and appalling time that will come for those who have not obeyed the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by the Apostle John with these words, "Then the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was hurled into the fiery lake of burning brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (through the ages of the ages). Then I saw a great white throne and the One Who was seated upon it, from Whose presence {and} from the sight of Whose face earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books. And the sea delivered up the dead who were in it, death and Hell (the state of death or disembodied existence) surrendered the dead in them, and all were tried {and} their cases determined by what they had done [according to their motives, aims, and works]. Then death and Hell (the state of death or disembodied existence) were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's [name] was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:10-15) (Amplified Bible). Note: "'The presence of the Lord' is the source whence the sentence goes forth; 'the glory of His power' is the instrument whereby the sentence is carried into execution [Edmunds]. But Alford better interprets the latter clause, driven 'from the manifestation of His power in the glorification of His saints.' Cast out from the presence of the Lord is the idea at the root of eternal death, the law of evil left to its unrestricted working, without one counteracting influence of the presence of God, who is the source of all light and holiness." (JFB Commentary).

"Never to see the face of God throughout eternity is a heart-rending, soul-appalling thought; and to be banished from the glory of His power, that power the glory of which is peculiarly manifested in saving the lost and glorifying the faithful, is what cannot be reflected on without confusion and dismay. But this must be the lot of all who acknowledge not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." Adam Clarke

"If we human beings believe in punishment and that the punishment should fit the crime committed, then it is no wonder where we got this since of justice from, it was from our Creator who must punish sin committed against Him  alone as King David acknowledged speaking of his own sin of adultery and murder he wrote, 'Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment.' (Psalm 51:4) (Amplified Bible), therefore, if any man or woman has not placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for pardon from their sin (been born again), then they themselves must pay for their own sin and there is nothing a sinful man or woman have to offer God the Father for payment, NOTHING." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

"They will then be punished. Though sinners may be long reprieved, yet they will be punished at last. Their misery will be a proper punishment for their crimes, and only what they have deserved. They did sin's work, and must receive sin's wages. Their punishment will be no less than destruction, not of their being, but of their bliss; not that of the body alone, but both as to body and soul. This destruction will be everlasting. They shall be always dying, and yet never die. Their misery will run parallel with the line of eternity. The chains of darkness are everlasting chains, and the fire is everlasting fire. It must needs be so, since the punishment is inflicted by an eternal God, fastening upon an immortal soul, set out of the reach of divine mercy and grace." Matthew Henry

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…