5 All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

6 For indeed it is righteous with God to repay those oppressing you with affliction,

7 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels

8 in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,

10 when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

— 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.

— Revelation 19:11

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.

— Romans 8:1-2

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

In His hand God holds the supreme and perfect justice of this universe that He created. Those who reject God and His sovereign right to judge will receive what we all deserve – eternal, agonizing separation from Him. Seeming success in this earthly life – position, possessions, and good deeds – will not be enough. To die without turning to Christ for salvation means facing God’s punitive judgment without another opportunity to turn to Him. Those who do not turn to Christ in this life await eternity in hell, a place of torment, weeping, and unending suffering.

Recognizing our sinfulness and God’s rightful position as righteous judge elevates the gift of salvation in Christ. God’s people can live with assurance of eternal life with Him. The indwelling Holy Spirit inspires and empowers believers to do good works that glorify God and serve His people. God promises an evaluative judgment and rewards for believers’ works after their earthly lives. Because of Christ, eternal life for believers is promised and secure, and they are forever free from sin’s deserved condemnation.