Jesus Takes Vengence? I Thought Jesus Loved All!

I don't know why this is so heavy on my heart but here again we have an example that contradicts the Kumbaya image of Jesus.  Actually I may know why but I'll get to that in a minute .

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10(NKJV)

6since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 

7and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 

8in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

9These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 

10when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who £believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

OK, why is it so important to me?  We took an assessment of our Spiritual gifts at church that was based on Romans 12.  One of the aspects of one of my spiritual gifts is that it is very important to me to be very accurate in the interpretation of the Bible and Bible doctrine.  

I think part of the issue here is that the Bible tells us the truth shall set us free.    So when I hear false doctrine like Kumbaya Jesus (that it is totally OK with Jesus if you reject Him because He loves everybody.  Live and let live.) I don't believe it is giving people the truth.  Scripture clearly tells us that it isn't OK with God or Jesus that you reject Jesus.  Scripture tells us that those who reject Jesus, whether they know it or not or believe it or not, have declared themselves enemies of God! 

They simply can't be set free with false doctrine.  If you look at the highlighted parts it clearly tells us that Christ is coming to take vengeance.   Who is He coming to take vengeance on?  Those who don't know God and those who don't obey Christ. 

Now what does vengeance mean exactly?  Let's take a look. 

venge·ance

1. infliction of injury, harm, humiliation, or the like, on a person by another who has been harmed by that person; violent revenge: But have you the right to vengeance?
2. an act or opportunity of inflicting such trouble: to take one's vengeance.
3. the desire for revenge: a man full of vengeance.
4. Obsolete . hurt; injury.
5. Obsolete . curse; imprecation.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/with%20a%20vengeance>

Wow, that doesn't sound very loving does it?

Many will ask "how could Christ do that to someone He loves?".  He didn't "do that" to anybody.  Each and every one of those people made a personal choice to reject God and Jesus.  They made an intentional declaration that they were an enemy of God.  They did that to themselves. 

Just as any good father punishes his children for bad behavior and choices, God punishes His children for bad behavior and choices as well.  Does it mean you love your kids any less because you punish them?  Of course not.  Well, it doesn't diminish God's love for us either. 

Each and every one of those people has the opportunity to change their mind and come back to God and He will take them back with open arms, provided they believe in Jesus.  But again, it is their own free will, God isn't "doing" anything to them.   

So here's a question.  Have you accepted Jesus yet?  Have you asked Jesus to come into your life and guide you?  Have you had a talk with Jesus about what you are looking for, what you need in life?  Why not do it right now?  Just have a talk with Jesus and ask Him to come into your life.  "Dear Jesus…."