2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; I. GENERALLY. We have here — 1. The estate "destruction" (1 Thessalonians 5:3; Matthew 7:13; Romans 9:22; Philippians 3:19), meaning thereby not an abolition of their being but of their well-being. Annihilation would be no loss. It is a destruction — (1) Of their carnal happiness, their glory, pleasure, gain, wherein they placed their contentment — (2) Of the true happiness which lies in the favour of God. 2. The duration "everlasting" (Matthew 25:41, 46). 3. The reasons — (1) The majesty of God against whom the sin is committed. (2) The nature of sin which is a preference of short sensitive good before that which is spiritual and eternal. (3) The will of the sinner. Their impenitence is endless, so is their punishment. (4) There is no change of state in the other world (Luke 13:25; Luke 16:26). II. PARTICULARLY. 1. The punishment of loss "From the presence of the Lord." Concerning this note — (1) That all are equal in this. There may be degrees of pain, but all are equally excluded from the Divine presence. (2) That the punishment of the wicked is the opposite of the reward of the righteous. All our refreshment comes from the Divine presence (Acts 3:19). (3) That it is fitting. They have forsaken God, and now God has forsaken them (Romans 1:28; Job 21:14). (4) That it is this greatest part of future punishment — (a) In itself, it is to be deprived of an infinite good (Psalm 16:11; Exodus 33:15). (b) In the deep sense of it. Here the wicked are insensible of it. (c) In its irreparableness. 2. The punishment of sense: "From the glory of His power" (Revelation 6:15, 16). This is the greatness of His goodness, and to be deprived of that is to feel the might of His justice. III. THE LESSONS — 1. To the unconverted. These considerations should — (1) Rouse them out of their security. (a) Many disbelieve. (b) Others think neither one way nor the other (Amos 6:3). (c) Others do not closely apply what they believe and think. (2) Check their boldness in sinning against light and conscience. (3) Cause them to shake off all delays in the business of religion (Matthew 3:7; Hebrews 11:18; Luke 14:32). 2. To the godly — (1) Bless God for your deliverance through Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:13; Romans 5:9). (2) Let your love to Christ be quickened, and grow in His likeness (1 John 4:17, 18). (3) Be courageous (Luke 12:4, 5; Hebrews 11:35). (4) Warn your friends in time (Luke 16). Parallel Verses KJV: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; |
    |