Unbelievers' Punishment

S - 2 Thessalonians 2:⁸ in 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. ⁹ These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power
O - Paul is talking about the people that do not believe in God and what the everlasting consequences will be for them. He paints the picture with phrases like flaming fire and everlasting destruction.
A - God is very serious about the fact that people should follow and accept Him as Lord and Savior. The consequences of not making Him Lord is eternal damnation. This makes me think of two things. First, for those outspoken atheist individuals that try to "convince" us believers that God isn't real and that we are being sucked into something that is made up, if they are unwilling to change their mindset and accept Jesus into their hearts, I don't need to prove anything to them; in the last day they will be faced with eternal damnation that will "convince" them that they were wrong after all. Second, even though individuals like that really rub me the wrong way, I need to have compassion on them and display actions of love toward them to try and explain the true love and grace of God. I need to show that same grace to people that Jesus did when He died on the cross so that they don't ignorantly go to their grave and face this type of punishment.
P - Heavenly Father, thank you so very much for the sacrifice that your Son Jesus gave for all of us when He died on the cross. I long to be near you in eternity and want my whole family to be their with me. Help me to have a heart for those that are turning their backs on you and to show and say things that help them understand the truth. Use me as your vessel to enlarge your kingdom.