1 Thessalonians 5:9

1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ...

Here in this teaching (chapter 5), Paul is reminding the believers at Thessalonica of the return of the Lord.  The blatant consistency of what Jesus taught in the Gospels down to what Paul is saying here is fascinating.  There is no lacking, there is no difference- all of scripture concurs- the Lord Jesus Christ will return!  Yet, the truth is, no one person knows the exact day or time!  And this is where we find Paul. He is encouraging the believers to remember that the King is coming back swiftly and that they are to live in holiness for His namesake.  So where does 1 Thessalonians 5:9 leave us?  It gives us this biblical gem- not only is Christ coming back for the believers of Thessalonica, but that He is keeping them and upholding them in His glory.  Paul is saying in vs 9 that those who belong to the Lord are not subject to the wrath to come.  He that has called the Thessalonians out of darkness did so by first calling them into His salvation.  Conversely, those whom are not called are appointed to a damning judgment which the believers will never be subject to.  In truth, believers today also get to rejoice in the same way.  Just as Christ called us out of sin and depravity, we too have been destined and set aside for salvation, escaping the wrath and fury of the Lord that is to come upon the wickedness humanity.  So let us rejoice in the love and mercy of Christ.  Let us redeem the time, living our lives in holiness unto the Lord.  Yet let us also solemnly remember that there is a still perishing world that needs to hear the Gospel.  Who knows the will of God for another? Your witness may be the vessel that Christ uses to pull others out of the judgment and fiery wrath to come.  So let us, in holiness to God, with our hands lifted high and our hearts bowing low, give the honor and glory to Christ that He so richly deserves.  Let us remember Him in our daily walk humbling ourselves in His mercy and in the witnessing His greatness!