God’s intention is to admonish the church to be ready and not let the coming of the Lord catch them unprepared, “as a thief in the night.”

In the Light of Eternity

The two letters to the church at Thessalonika are called “The Books of the Advent”. That means, these two books of the Bible inform us of the way God wants us to live in the light of eternity. The two letters express that we should live, worship and work constantly aware of the promise of the Lord Jesus to return and gather us unto Himself, that we may be with Him in heaven. The two books have eschatalogical themes in that the deal with futuristic events, or prophetic themes

In the first Thessalonians, the writer of the letters, St. Paul, gives us a description of the plan and purpose of God for the Church, and those who comprise it. His startling warning pertains to the next event on God’s calendar for the church, the Parousia, or the catching away of the saints.

His intention is to admonish the church to be ready and not let the coming of the Lord catch them unprepared, “as a thief in the night.”

It seems that there is severe persecution and life-threatening attacks on the church in the city, motivating the apostle to encourage faith and steadfastness in the midst of severe opposition and danger for those first century Christians.

Commendation For The Church

After the typical salutation in verses 1 and 2, Paul gives a note of praise and commendation for these early Christians in verses 3 and 4.

3. We ought always to give thanks to God, for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each of you toward one another grows ever greater;
4. Therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you, among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecution and afflictions which you endure

It’s interesting to note, that Paul is expressing appreciation for Christians who are growing! Not just growing, but growing abundantly!

Their faith is growing abundantly and the love for each other is increasing.

This is exactly what Paul asked for them to do and praised them for in the first letter (1 Thessalonians 1:3,8; 4:9-10). Now listen to what is happening to them as described in verse 4.

These first century Christians are enduring the strong persecution and affliction by remaining steadfast and strong in the faith. And may I insert that this is exactly what the Lord expects of us in 2019. We know from scripture that in the last days, perilous times will come.

II Timothy 3:1

1.But know this, that in the last days, perilous times shall come.

Apostasy and Antichrists will arise, as the devil unleashes all his powers of darkness and opposition to the Church of the Lord Jesus. Many in the church will not be able to resist the attacks, and “depart from the faith.”

The gospel will be replaced with fables, told by pastorettes, preaching sermonettes, to christianettes all in the name of God and church. Many, unwilling to suffer affliction and persecution will “fall away, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.”

Even in those difficult days of deceitfulness and turning to another gospel, those who once stood firm for God and right will accept a heresy so strong that people “will believe a lie, and be damned.’

2 Thessalonians 2:12

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Even in the face of extreme trials, the discouragement of seeing others fall away, and severe persecution, those faithful and steadfast believers at Thessalonika remained strong in faith, and steadfast in preaching the untainted truth of the gospel of Jesus. Paul informs them that He, Sylvanus, and Timothy are rejoicing, and with thankful hearts they are reporting to the other churches their victorious steadfastness and faith. We can never comprehend the encouragement that the Thessalonican church is giving to other churches. They continued to be under severe persecution (Acts 17), and Paul is telling of their strength of character and faith to the other Christians in other areas of the empire so that they will have that same kind of strength courage. What incentive for us, to know that our faithfulness toward God should never change even in the face of persecutions and afflictions.

The Righteous Judge

II These. 1:5

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. (ESV)

Did you get that? Evidence! Paul was saying that all of the things that have happened to you makes the case that God is right in calling you HIS people. The trials, temptations, afflictions give evidence to the fact that our God has rightly judged that His church is a victorious, overcoming, and gloriously triumphant Church. That testimony means that suffering works for you and not against you. That’s why your rejoice in your afflictions!

Listen, if you are going through something difficult, God is not angry with you. He is not abandoning you! He is positioning you to be found worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called.

Thank God for the valley! Thank God for the trial! Thank God for that storm! Thank God for that unfair treatment! What the devil meant for evil, God meant for qood.”

1 Pet. 1:6,7

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ESV)

Hope, An Anchor For Our Soul

Hebrews 6:19

Which [hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast and which entereth into that within the veil;

The believer is blessed with a hope that will endure suffering and persecution. In this life we suffer persecution as those who live godly in Christ Jesus. But God takes that event intended to defeat us and uses it to make us stronger and more mature, therefore making us more worthy to be called a child of God.

The Righteous Judge

II Thessalonians 1:6-7

6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

God is just and righteous. Justice requires judgment. God is a just God and living God. He also says vengeance is mine, I will repay. The Lord is on the side of His people. He fights for us, and He stands up for us.

Thank God, your enemies are God’s enemies. God will someday vindicate the righteous, and repay affliction those that have afflicted you. It’s called divine retribution! That means judgment is going to happen. “Cast your bread upon the waters! We cannot look at God’s righteous judgment and justice as mean, harsh, or unfair. But on the contrary, right treatment is a grace to give relief to God’s people against evildoers, and instill faith fo believe that there will be a payday someday. God will repay all the hurt and pain; the affliction committed against you, and grant healing and rest to those who are afflicted. But please notice when the relief comes.

Please observe that word in verse 7, “When”. It is important to know that this is not an “if” situation, but a “when”.

when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

Relief will come “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire.” Paul says that relief is coming when Christ returns. Relief is not earlier, though we think God should do something right now. But that is not God’s timetable.

Judgement Poured Out

II Thessalonians 1:8-10

8. Inflaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of out Lord Jesus Christ:
9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction fro the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

The Apostle now describes the terrible effects of this judgment, and what it will look like when Christ comes. This passage adds further revelation to I Thessalonians 4:13-18. Now we are granted a fuller picture of what this judgment will look like.

The Lord Jesus will return in flaming fire, with vengeance on all those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who do not know God and those who disobeyed the gospel are the ones who will be judge when the Lord returns.

2 Corinthians 5:11

11. Knowing there fore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

KNOWING THEREFORE THE TERROR OF THE LORD, is a knowledge that brings intensity to our need to share the gospel with people we know. If you know a person who does not know God or has not obeyed the gospel, then judgment is coming when Christ returns. There is no way out of this truth.

That fact is what is frightening about so many funerals where every person is believed to go to heaven with the Lord when they did not know God or obey the gospel. In our culture we have decided for ourselves that no one is going to experience eternal punishment. We choose to live in willful ignorance regarding the truth of what is going to happen when Christ comes. Perhaps this is why Jesus is the one who spoke the most abut the eternal punishment to come. We cannot live in denial who is going to be judgment by God.