(God’s Wrath or Righteous Judgment for Sin and Sinners must be distinguished from Persecution and disciplining that God permits to transform His people and restore them.)

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, note especially verse 9

Paul says unequivocally in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 “That God did not appoint us to suffer [His] wrath or (righteous judgment) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This righteous judgment must be distinguished from certain types of discipline that God directs toward us to correct and restore us (see 1 Peter 1:6-9).

Even persecutions are permitted in the middle of our witnessing efforts as the devil’s resistance to the spread of the gospel: for example, Jesus words to Saul at his radical conversion “Saul, by persecuting my people you are persecuting me.” (Acts 9:1-6)

In fact, in many cases, the church has grown more in times of persecution than in more peaceful environments. Therefore, discipline and persecution that God permits, is meant to restore and prosper while God’s righteous judgments (or wrath) has as its purpose to fairly punish God’s opponents. Therefore, Paul’s admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 helps to distinguish these difficult experiences. Christians never experience God’s wrath because of the Atoning Sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ; Therefore, what is meant by the term “tribulation(s),” especially when used in context of the last days (promised especially in Daniel 9:24-27?)

Some Christians believe in a literal 7-year tribulation period in the last days: they divide it into 2 parts of 3-½ years. The second part is referred to “the great tribulation.” This is a time of great persecution in which the Antichrist and his minions persecute God’s people, especially in Jerusalem. This persecution will be interrupted by the Risen Christ, the ultimate dispenser of God’s righteous judgment. Christians will be protected from this, how?

The Christian church is divided on this answer.

Some believe that Christ will return to do Holy War at the beginning of the 7-year tribulation period by The Rapture of the Church: both the dead in Christ first, then those Christians alive, that are transformed (1 Thessalonians 4:5-17). Others believe that this will occur mid-tribulation. Still others see the Rapturing of the Church and the Second Coming as One Event combining 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 with Revelation 19. It gets really complicated!

There is unity in the belief that the tribulations that Christians are allowed to go through in life are persecutions, tests, and trials to benefit His children, but divine righteous judgment of God have a whole different purpose: They don’t restore, they mete out just punishments, while “tests and trials,” aim to restore and redeem. (Romans 8:28, James 1:2-4)

The difference is important according to Paul in 1Thessalonians 5:9. We will always remain in God’s hove, even though He might discipline us. Even in the last days and its tribulations, Christ will make sure that His believers are raptured or protected somehow from His righteous judgment. Paul is adamant concerning this point, here (verse 9) and at other passages: e.g., Romans 5:9-11 (read)

Main Texts: Mark 10:13-16 & 10:17-24

The Call to accept Christ as little children, from infancy to 12
years old, was a radical call for ancient Jewish culture:
Countercultural.

In Jesus’ day, children, while loved (especially sons) were
considered for the most part immature, unreasonable and objects
to be trained. They were to be schooled until the ages 13, to be
considered a useful part of adult Jewish society.

Elite rabbis like Jesus should not waste their busy lives and
mission, addressing children, rather focus their needed attention
to the issues of the adult world. But Jesus broke this societal rule
and encouraged parents to bring their children to be officially
“blessed” by Him. (verse 14)

And He became incensed when His own disciples “rebuked”
them: The children and their parents, and even possibly Jesus!
But when Jesus heard their rebuke and saw their dismissive
attitudes, that was more loyal to their rigid Judaism, He become
indignant/angry at them (verse 14).

He then set up a new rule for His good news: “Let the little
children come to me and do not hinder them (and their parents)
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these”, not like the
proud but those running to receive His gift.

Like the children’s humble demeanor, the adults are to realize
humbly their need and accept Jesus’ grace, gift or they would
never enter the Kingdom of heaven (verse 15).

This story provides a fitting contrast for the Rich adult who was a
religious heavy weight (see Mark 10:17-24). He bragged to be a
heavy-weight in Judaism as well trusting in his riches. (The love of
money can become the root of all evil. 1 Timothy 6:10)

Jesus pointed this out in verse 21, and with a heart of love asked
him surrender his first love and to receive the gift of Jesus
kingdom or have also treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

He refused the offer: “At this the man’s face fell and he went away
sad because in spite of his religious law abiding, he selfishly
accrued great wealth (my paraphrase of verse 22), he did not
receive the kingdom.

Contrast this to the joy experienced by the children and their
parents in Mark 10:13-16. They were willing to approach Jesus,

counter-culture, with the need and hunger to be blessed by Jesus,
and accept His gift of the Kingdom.

They had no claim of power and status, especially from their
religious society, but the humble need to be “touched” or
“blessed” by Jesus; and not earn but receive the Kingdom as a
gift. The disciples’ failure to understand Jesus’ kingdom as a gift
of grace responding to humility, earned Jesus’ ire and rebuke.
And the children received, not earned, His hands upon them and
blessing.

They demonstrated the attitude needed to enter into Christ’s
Kingdom: The rich adult was out; the children and their parents
were in!

AMEN