Don’t like the ending?

Out of all the mysteries I’ve read only three had totally unacceptable endings where the perpetrator of the crime got away with it. When I closed those books, I spent some time in my mind rewriting the ending so that justice was done. However, as with any work of fiction there is one inescapably fact — the author is in total control of the story. Actually, I cannot change the ending that has been written.

The mystery of when Jesus Christ will return and how it will happen is much like that. Almighty God is in charge of the plot from beginning to end as well as what happens to all the characters. Not only that, those who do not like the ending will not be able to rewrite it either.

Two things are going to happen. The Bible describes the ending for all who put their faith in Him. I am okay with this ending:

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10)

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24)

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11–12)

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13–14)

The other aspect of the last chapter fills me with grief because it involves a very opposite result. The Word of God says there will be many who will not like the outcome of this part of God’s plan . . .

 . . . when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:7–10)

I know that every person has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I also know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of sinners, sent by God to pay our penalty and offer us eternal life through faith in His name. No one deserves this grace. It is a gift He gives us through faith. The Old Testament prophesied this would happen and the New Testament describes this amazing good news. Yet some will not accept it. God says will experience separation from Him for eternity, the punishment all of us deserve and from which Jesus will save many.

The part of me that longs to see justice is not totally excited about this aspect of how the mystery of God ends. I don’t relish the thought of wrath or punishment yet I know that God is the author and finisher — I cannot rewrite this ending any more than I can reverse the blessing He bestows on those who rejoice in Him.

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Jesus, the mystery of what will happen at the end is not fully described. You gave us only enough to know that there are two sides to it; the sheep and the goats, the saved and the unsaved, the children of Light and the people of darkness. I’d like everyone to experience Your grace without anyone being in that other category. The best I can do is tell the world about Your saving power and hope that some will say YES to You and move from one side of the story’s end to the other.