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Appointed to Salvation and not Wrath I Thess. 5: 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. This verse means God wants everyone to come to repentance and faith in Christ. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but in that they turn from their ways and live. God desires our salvation, but He must punish unrepentant sin in the most horrific way possible in Hell. The Thessalonians obviously were startled by Paul Christ's return and saw it as a horrifying event for those who would be judged for their sin. Paul was saying this was just the full import of their salvation. It would be fully realized when Jesus comes again. Jesus said the godless nations would morn and be totally caught up in fear when He returned, for, they understood that no one could stand against the lamb and his might that is beyond all comprehension of His full power to rule the world as He does in heaven Rev. 6:15, Matt 24:3-31. But the gathering of Christ’s elect, when He returns, will be a joyful occasion, for we will be rewarded to live in this heavenly kingdom in perfect conditions with our Lord forever. We should not fear God’s power to make all things new and eradicate sin from the world. We should look forward to it. We respect Him and His word, but God is trying to save people from sin and its destruction by preaching the gospel. When someone comes to Christ, they escape sin destroying their lives, enter into all God would have them to experience, and will find true meaning and purpose for their life, here and in eternity. Let’s rejoice in what God can do in anyone’s life who will trust in Christ as Saviour. Christ’s return in mighty power is something to look forward to and not dread. --- Dan Nelson