1 John Chapter 3 Pt. 2 Sinners Do Not Know Their Fate. Jesus Will Return In Flaming Fire Of Judgment.

The world does not know Jesus Christ or His disciples. 

1 John 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 

John 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 

We examined this great truth from the Holy Spirit guided writing of the apostle John. 

It is always worth taking time to think about what kind of love the Father has for us. We noted that His love is a saving, sanctifying, life changing love. 

It is a love that includes full adoption of each repentant sinner into the family of God, giving us full legal status as His children, the sheep of His pasture.

However, we also see today, that this is a love that the world (nations, cultures and people) cannot know, apart from saving faith in Christ. 

John's gospel also noted that Jesus Christ the Creator, was in the world and the world knew Him not. 

The sinner walks in the darkness of a depraved culture.

John 12:35  Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

Each sinner in the world does not see their fate. They do not grasp the harsh reality of walking on the broad way that leads to eternal destruction. 

They do not grasp the truths that the way of transgressors is a hard life of rebellion against God and reaping the consequences of their sins. 

The child of God belongs to the kingdom of light. The child of God walks in light, and the scriptures illuminate our path.

But a sinner walks in darkness, stumbling over sin. They cause much heartache and great sorrow to others, and experience much misery and unhappiness in their own lives. 

This reminds each Christian that we must live as Jesus commanded us to live, as the light of the world. 

Our way of life should show forth our shining, resolute faith in Christ. 

Our witness must include preaching, teaching and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, the True Light of the world.

The sinner is blissfully unaware of final judgment. 

Matthew 24:38-39  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39)  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

The fate of all sinners is certain. God is holy and He will judge all sinners for their sins. The wrath and condemnation of God rests upon each sinner. 

Sinners go through each day, doing all their normal activities, with no regard to that which is eternal.

They eat, they drink, they get married. and they do so unaware of the horrific fate that awaits them the moment they take their last breath. 

Jesus will return in flaming fire to judge sinners.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8)  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9)  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 

Here is what will happen when Jesus returns to this earth to rule and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. 

The eyes of all people from all nations will see Him revealed, coming with all His mighty angels. 

He is not coming as a babe in a manger, but as a Holy Sovereign ready to judge the wicked and Christ rejecters. 

He is not coming with the star of Bethlehem. Rather, He is coming in flaming fire of final judgment. 

Jesus will take vengeance upon those who do not know God. Remember, scripture tells us God is a consuming fire (See Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; Hebrews 12:1   29).

He will judge all sinners who have not responded to gospel preaching. They have willfully rejected the testimony of God's creation and their own conscience. They have routinely violated the holy law of God.

Jesus will punish them with eternal damnation (See John 5:24-29).

Sinners have no interest in the things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

The natural or unsaved man, does not receive the wonderful things of God that the Holy Spirit teaches us about. 

The sinner thinks that spiritual realities from the scriptures are foolishness. 

The sinner cannot know these blessed truths that the Lord reveals to us in His Word. 

Why? Because God's truth is spiritual in nature and of heavenly origin. In order to discern and be illuminated by the Word of God, we must have the Spirit of God living in us. 

It is the entrance of the scriptures into the heart of a sinner, through the work of the Holy Spirit, that gives light and life to a soul deadened by sin (See Psalm 119:130). 

Christians know Jesus is returning and we shall see Him. 

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 

Those who are born again through the regenerating work of God's Spirit, are called sons (& daughters) of God (See 2 Corinthians 6:18). 

We do not know what it will be like and what we will look like, when we receive a new, glorified body from our Lord Jesus Christ (See Philippians 3:21). 

However, John tells us that we will be like Jesus Christ. His resurrected body was able to be touched, and He ate fish, bread and honeycomb. 

Matthew 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

We will have the great joy of seeing Jesus as He is. In all His glory. No doubt, we will be like those in heaven, who fall down to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Colossians 3:1-4  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3)  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4)  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

Therefore, the Bible contains clear and consistent imperatives for each believer in Christ, to maintain a heavenly focus. 

We must give our energy to turning away from all the cultural allure and physical things of this life. They distract us and divert our attention away from Jesus Christ, seated in glory.

We are to be busy laying up treasure in heaven rather than seeking to horde riches on earth.

Jesus is coming back for the believer and He will take us home to heaven and we will appear with Him in glory.

1 John 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Each believer in Christ has a great hope flaming brightly in our hearts. Jesus is coming to take us home to heaven. Jesus will reward us for faithful service we have rendered to Him. 

Therefore, we seek to live a pure and holy life because we know this pleases our Father. This is the life of blessing for us, until we are received into His presence. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

May the apostle Paul's words fill us with joy and encouragement. 

We must stand fast, being anchored to the Word of God. 

We must rest in full assurance, knowing all that God said He will do, will be done.

We must rejoice in the consolation and good hope the Father gives us, through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

May the scriptures comfort our heart in a world full of misery and sorrow. May His Word guide us to serve Him however we can.

Bob

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16)  Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17)  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.