…Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.(1 Thessalonians 1:10b – ESV)
Notice that in this verse it says that Jesus delivers us (present tense), from the wrath to come (future). This is primarily eschatological language; Paul is referring specifically to the future wrath of the Tribulation period and the horrors of hell.
Now if this is so we may ask why the use of different tenses? The reason is that we are always being saved from God’s wrath (John 3:36 / Romans 1:18 / 2 Corinthians 1:10). The Thessalonian believers and Christians today will escape all aspects of God’s wrath, general and specific. Jesus is our deliverer always. The truth is that we always need mercy and we always need grace. It is also true that God is bringing it to us, right now, and forevermore.
Your situation may seem hopeless, and you may feel helpless, but hope springs eternal, and help is on the way. Nothing will stop Jesus from delivering you right on time to the front door of your mansion in heaven. There may be bumps in the road, but no obstacle in our destiny can stop us from the end of our destined path. You can put up with anything as long as you know help is on the way, that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and you know it will soon be over because deliverance is your destination.
This is the word to you today, are you receiving it, do you believe you are being delivered even though you are down and out right now, do you believe you need to be delivered even though you are high and dry right now? Receive the word of your deliverance. Receive the word of your salvation. Receive the word of Jesus Christ today (Isaiah 40:8). The word is still going out, it is still being received, and it still brings hope. Jesus Christ is still saving souls, and still delivering us from sin, death, and hell. The mission continues.
6 comments:
JD,
Good post, but how can you say that Paul is referring to a future wrath of the tribulation? Certainly hell is a future wrath that Paul refers to often and that would be all that is needed to satisfy the statement.
Thanks Jazzy...as to your question, well...
1. I can say it because I am a dispensationalist...
2. I can say it because I believe Occam is an idiot...
In other words, for the uninitiated, the simplest answer isn't always the right one...
Occam's Razor is a dictum that states "All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best"...this, of course, mediates against the possibility of temporal and ultimate fulfillments of prophecy, such as Peter and Acts 2, when he says "this is that" yet the "that" has a future fulfillment as well...
Simplicity isn't necessarily truth, and no, I do not 100% agree with "one sense alone"...one interpreation, yes, but more than one application, lest we all become preterists...
To all:
BTW (as I am sure Jazzy already knows), I in no way am implying anythting about him, or even that opinion, I just wanted to answer the question, state something of the idea dispy's have about prophecy, and most of all look cool by referencing Occam's Razor...
JD,
OK. Since I have a huge problem with eschatological dispensationalism, I guess that is why it struck me as a stretch. I also have some problems with covenant theology so I guess I don't have a home. Maybe I am just plain ole confused. :)
wayne
It is okay with me, Jazzy, as long as you are trusting in Christ, you'll make it whenever and wherever...you'll have a home in heaven...blessings...
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