Wrath Is Coming!
"And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom
He raised from the dead, even Jesus who
delivers us from the wrath to come."
1 Thessalonians 1: 10
The words discipline and punishment both occur in the New Testament.
Discipline is directed toward believers, and punishment refers to actions
toward the ungodly.
Discipline means “child training” how God trains us
as His children to walk
in righteousness.
This “big idea”—the difference between discipline and punishment, is
another reason for expecting that God’s people will not go through the
seven-year Tribulation at end of this age. That period is for judgment
of the nations, led by the Antichrist, who have rebelled against God.
There is no reason for the Church of Jesus Christ to undergo such
judgment. By the grace of God, Christ was punished for our sins on
the cross. For us to endure the wrath of God for seven years would
nullify what Christ has done for us.
Does God discipline His children at times? Yes (Hebrews 12:1-13).
But we can be sure that we are not destined for “the wrath to come.”
Thank God today for His grace that is greater than all our sins.
"Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace
that is greater than all our sin!"
Julia H. Johnston
