9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. - 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (NASB)
Like many people in the bible belt, I have had a lot of exposure to church over the course of my lifetime. I was a nine year old boy when I accepted Christ and got "saved". I've been thinking of late that we don't often consider or hear about what we as believers have been, or better yet, will be saved "from". Seemingly, salvation has been reduced to a plan, a benign concept, a name on the church roll, or just an arbitrary option available to those needing such things, rather than the life-altering reality which it really is.
The verse above clearly states that there is a coming wrath, but who's wrath is it and exactly what are the implications? Revelation 14:9-12 tells us,
9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
11 "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." 12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
When the people of Thessalonica accepted Christ, they fundamentally changed who they worshipped and served. From graven images, they turned to worship and serve a real God who was alive and to wait for His Son, who had died and rose again on their behalf, to come back again. They knew only too well, that His return would be both "good news & bad news". For worshippers of the one true God, the promise of rescue and protection from His judgment. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (NASB)
For everyone else, "...destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape" (1 Thess 5:3).
Due to the recent economic upheaval, there is renewed discussion of the Lord's return and could these events signal that return. I am fully aware of the various positions concerning the issue and understand and respect those with viewpoints different from my own. Regardless of the eschatological position, I must at the very least conclude that we are in sobering times, " so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. (1 Thess 5:6)" If this admonition was relevant to a people living over 2,000 years ago, then why should it not be relevant to me.
Are you saved? More importantly, will you be saved from "the wrath to come"?
