For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (ESV)
What does the future hold for believers? There is much we do not know about that future. But we are given glimpses throughout the Scripture, although never as much as we might like to know. And this is one of those passages that look to our future.
God has not destined us for wrath. That is the destiny of those who reject God’s offer of salvation. The wrath of God is not the same as that of a human who feels wronged and is out for vengeance. God’s wrath is essentially his righteous judgment against sin. There is a consequence to pay for rebellion.
But, as believers, that is not our destiny. All of us who are in Christ have experienced forgiveness from sin and deliverance from the punishment of a righteous God.
Instead, we are destined for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We often think of our salvation as something that has already happened. And there is a sense in which that is true. But here, Paul is looking ahead. We will be saved, or delivered, from the wrath to come.
But we are not just saved from wrath. While that is definitely desirable, even better is that we are saved so that we can live with Christ. Whether awake or asleep, alive or dead, we are with our Lord. And that gives salvation a present-tense look.
Because Jesus died for us, we can live with him. We can live with him now. When our body dies, we will continue to live with him. And when he returns, we will experience his resurrection life and live with him for eternity.
Good Morning Brother,
Israel Under the New Covenant published on April 26, 2025 resonated with me. I am a learner with much to learn; an earthen vessel, if you will. I believe that God uses His Holy Spirit to guide us into Truth and that His word is Truth. With the Spirit’s help, scripture explains scripture. I am an older man leading a study group of even older men…some of whom have very strong views concerning the modern nation of Israel and particularly that piece of land.
Your first reference in Hebrews makes it clear to me that the Patriarchs had not “arrived”. Our God cannot be contained in a tabernacle or temple built by men’s hands. I don’t believe He can be held hostage by a particular geographic region or by those occupying it.
You are a clay jar and so am I, but God is not. Clay, sand, grave, and rock…even rocks with domes on them are His footstool.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift,
Thank you for your diligence.
There are indeed some folks with very strong opinions on differing end time views. I certainly have a view. But the only aspect I am adamant about is that Jesus is returning for me, and others who have given their lives to him.