And God will provide REST for you who are being PERSECUTED and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. he will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing JUDGMENT on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They wil be punished with eternal destruction, FOREVER SEPARATED from the Lord and from His glorious power. 2 Thess. 1:7-9

There are 3 words here that I believe we need to constantly be aware of in the last days. This passage is speaking to us of the time of the end when the rapture is near and I believe we are closer than we can imagine.

Persecution- for those who stand up for the Cross and the truth of the Word of God there will be increasing persecution. The early church experienced it and the church at large is still experiencing it today. There are more people being martyred for the name of Jesus right now than at any other time in the history of the church. In America it is getting more and more difficult to speak the truth and stand for righteousness. What is right has been erased by what is relevant. What is wrong is embraced under the banner of “tolerance”. For every believer who stands strong until the end there will be slander, hate, imprisonment, and even murder. God help us to hold fast till the end! (Rev. 2:25-27)

Rest- Thank God for heaven! The Lord Jesus has made provision for us to rest in Him forever and ever once this life has come to an end. We must run this race with joy and fervency for the time is coming when we will no longer be able to “store up treasure in heaven”.

Judgment- many say that there is no hell or if there is that it is not going to last forever. This is all blatant lies of satan himself to deceive people out of conviction and urgency for salvation. Anyone who only wants to talk about the love of Jesus needs to also be aware of the flaming fire and judgment that will come forth from His return upon all who are in sin and not found under His precious Blood. Their eternal destruction will be eternal separation from the presence of God (an awful fate that sadly awaits billions of human souls that have not and will not call on the name of Jesus to be saved).

Let us keep these thoughts close to our hearts and ever-present on our minds. Preach the Gospel whether the time is favorable or not (read 2 Tim. 4:2-3). Look forward to the rest of heaven with great anticipation (read Col. 3:1-4). Never waver from the understanding of God’s judgment and its eternal consequence (read Rev. 20:14-15).