"Everlasting destruction..."
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:9
A SOLEMN WORD
We have a very solemn word in this text. It expands the thought that the apostle Paul had written in the previous verse.
“These shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
2 Thessalonians 1:9
1. “These shall be punished”
a) The word “punished” must be very carefully understood.
b) It comes from the root word “righteousness”.
c) This punishment-
i) It is meted out in righteousness.
ii) It is based on the righteousness of God.
iii) It is an expression of Divine righteous justice.
2. “These”
a) They have rejected God.
b) They have rejected the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
c) They have persecuted innocent saints.
d) They persist in their unrepentant state of wickedness.
3. “Everlasting destruction”
a) There is earthly destruction (ruin).
b) There is also everlasting destruction.
c) The latter is the more awesome thought.
4. “From the presence of the Lord”
a) These would never stand in the holy presence of the Lord.
b) They will be banished from His presence.
5. “From the glory of His power”
a) They will not share in the glory of the Lord’s power.
b) This is the privilege of His saints.
c) Those who have rejected the Lord and persevere in wickedness will never enjoy the glory of His power.