THE LORD GOD WILL REPAY THOSE WHO TROUBLE BELIEVERS

Proclamation:

“God is just; He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”  2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, in his second letter to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  After he introduces himself and greets them, Paul states that he thanks God for them because their faith in God and their love for one another is growing and increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-3)  He tells them that he brags to other churches about their perseverance and faith in the midst of their persecutions and trials. (2 Thessalonians 1:4)  Then he tells them that God is just and He will pay back trouble to all those who trouble them.  God will punish all non-believers when The Lord Jesus returns. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

Application:

Those who do believers wrong and cause them to suffer will be punished by The Lord God. (Romans 12:19)  The Lord Jesus is coming back to gather up His church (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) and to judge the wicked.  All mankind will see Him when He returns (Revelation 1:7) but our perspectives will differ.  Some of us will see Him as Savior, while others will see Him as judge.

SING AND REJOICE FOR THE LORD IS COMING

Proclamation:

“Let all creation rejoice before The Lord, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the people in His faithfulness.”  Psalm 96:13 (NIV)

Explanation:

This psalm was written by King David under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  It was first sung at the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obededom to the city of David. (1 Chronicles 16:7-14)  This psalm is also a prophecy of the coming of The Messiah and a calling to the Gentiles that believe in Him.  He is coming to judge all of the inhabitants of the earth, past and present, according to their works, words, and thoughts. (Revelation 20:12-15) 

Application:

Believers are encouraged to sing and proclaim the good news of The Lord to all the earth. (Psalm 96:1-6)  He is great and worthy to be praised.  There is also good cause for celebration because He is coming back.  He is coming to judge all of the people of the earth.  All those who believe will be saved, and all of those who don’t, won’t be. (John 3:16 and Romans 10:9)

GET A NEW YOU IN THE NEW YEAR

Proclamation:

“… I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares The Sovereign Lord.  Repent!  Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.  Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.  For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares The Sovereign Lord.  Repent and live!”  Ezekiel 18:30-32 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Ezekiel.  The Lord God spoke to Ezekiel and told him to tell the people of Israel that because He is who He is, He will clean them up, forgive their sins, give them a new heart and a new spirit if they repent and turn from their sinful ways.  God will judge each of them and only those who repent will live.

Application:

When judgement day comes, each of us will have to give an account for all of our thoughts, words, and actions.  All of us will be judged and the judgement will start with the believers.  Those of us who have been faithful servants of The Lord will be rewarded. (Matthew 25:21)  Those who have not accepted Jesus, The Christ, as their personal savior will not have their names recorded in The Lamb’s book of life and they will be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)  The key to eternal life involves repentance from sin, belief in Christ, and a new heart and new spirit which come from God.  We can change, but we have to ask God for His help, for only God can change our heart and give us a new spirit.  Don't let your lack of belief and your sins lead you to permanent ruin.  If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead, then you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)  As we approach the beginning of the New Year, let us be mindful of the fact that all of our thoughts, words, and actions will be judged.  We need for God to create within us a clean heart and mind. (Psalm 51:10)  May we all be blessed to enjoy a closer walk with The Lord in the New Year, and in all of the years to come. (Psalm 89:15)

GOD SEES ALL THAT WE DO

Proclamation:

“For your ways are in full view of The Lord, and He examines all of your paths.”  Proverbs 5:21 (NIV)  The King James version of The Bible reads: "For the ways of man are before the eyes of The Lord, and He pondereth all his goings."  Proverbs 5:21 (KJV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by King Solomon, who was blessed to be the wisest man to ever live. (2 Chronicles 1:11-12)  Solomon wanted the people to know that The Lord God was watching them all of the time and sees everything that they do.  His purpose was to encourage them to behave in a Christ-like manner.

Application:

Imagine a video camera being focused upon you, 24 hours each day, 365 days of the year.  Would you want that recording played back to all of your family and friends in church, especially if it included all that you said and thought?  That which is done in the dark will soon come to the light.  Some people say, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."  It is as if they believe that God is not there and that He does not see all that goes on in Las Vegas, and everywhere else.  God sees all of our actions.  He also hears all of our spoken words, and He can read our minds and our hearts.  He knows all of our thoughts and the motives behind our behavior.  It is a sin to think sinful thoughts. (Matthew 5:28)  For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)  God knows us, and He love us in spite of our sinful behavior.  However, on judgement day, Jesus is going to judge each of us on all of our thoughts, words, and deeds. (Matthew 12:36-37, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, and Revelation 20:12-13)  We should repent now and ask for forgiveness for all of our sins, and pray for His help to avoid them in the future.