SEARCHLIGHT
When will you face the music?
SCRIPTURE
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Has someone ever said to you, “Face the music.” Someday and in some way, everyone has to face the music. How that phrase came about well illustrates my point. Let me explain.
Years ago, in Vienna, Austria, a very wealthy man, with great influence, wanted to play in the Imperial Orchestra. The problem was he could not play a note or read music. However, he demanded to be allowed to join the orchestra so he could perform before the king. The conductor agreed to let him sit in the second row of the orchestra and pretend to play the flute.
At each concert, the wealthy man would pose as a musician by raising his instrument, puckering his lips and moving his fingers. He went through all the motions but never made a sound. For 2 years, this deception went on until a new conductor replaced the previous one.
The new conductor required all the musicians to personally audition in order to see how well they could play. The audition was meant to “weed out all those who did not meet his standards.” Some faced the possibility of being dismissed. Each musician had to perform in the conductor’s presence. The phony flutist became worried and pretended to be sick. When a doctor was ordered to examine him, the man was declared to be healthy and well. The conductor continued to insist that the man appear to demonstrate his musical capabilities. With great shame and embarrassment, the man had to confess that he was a fake. “That was the day he had to ‘FACE THE MUSIC.’” [Wayne Rice, Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks, Ministry 127]
In the Scripture focus today, Paul warns that there is coming a day when everyone will have to FACE THE MUSIC. Everyone has a choice. You can face the music now by admitting you are a sinner who needs Jesus Christ to become your personal Savior and Lord. The alternative is to FACE THE MUSIC on judgment day when Jesus Christ makes His earth-shattering revelation. No one will be able to ignore who Jesus is or hide from facing Jesus. No one will be able to pretend to be a believer. No excuse will stand for not being a believer.
Bible prophecy teaches there are 2 earth-shattering events that are yet to come. One is called the rapture and the other is called the revelation. The day is coming when the rapture of believers from earth will occur. Jesus will return from heaven to take away all who confess Him as their Savior and Lord. He will come in the air, but not to earth. Christ will personally take them to be with Him in heaven. [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18] In today’s Scripture passage, Paul points out the following. The day is coming when the revelation of the Lord will occur. Jesus will come to earth to judge all people who ignore Him and willfully disobey Him. People will have to FACE THE MUSIC. Please note:
- Their punishment will be decisively final. Paul says it is “everlasting destruction.” There will be no second chances. This is not annihilation but continual punishment.
- Their punishment will be separation. The unbelievers will be eternally separated from God. Never again will they see God’s greatness. Never again will they have an opportunity to fellowship with the One who created them, loved them ,and died on the cross for them. One author said, “They will pass into a night on which no morning dawns.”
God is merciful but a day is coming when He must be just. He provides plenty of information and invitations about salvation. He warns about end times. Then comes a day when God must complete his plan. Will you FACE THE MUSIC now or later? Let’s be sure to do it today rather than some other time. Become a born-again believer today! If you are a believer, then look forward to leaving this scarred, sin-filled, painful world behind and going to heaven to be with Jesus for evermore.
SOMETHING TO DO
Take a moment to read Jesus words in Matthew 12:36,37 and 25:31-46.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for convicting me to FACE THE MUSIC as to being a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay the price for my sin. Thank you for promising me eternal life with You in heaven. Thank you that You are coming to rapture believers like me who have repented of their sin and placed their faith in You. I am looking forward to seeing You, Jesus, face to face. AMEN!