2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
The Judgment at Christ’s Coming
“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— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 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. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 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.
I am recently reminded of a conversation between Jesus and his disciples in Matthew 19. This happened immediately after Jesus spoke with the rich young ruler, who left unsatisfied, because he had many riches. Matthew 19:25-29 says, “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, ” … 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”” Peter was explaining to Jesus all the great things he did to follow Him. Wasn’t that enough? Following Jesus does require self-denial, and taking up a cross to be with Him wherever He leads. Even in our present temporal afflictions, whether severe or light, we come to Christ. That is, severe as those who followed Christ in martyrdom. And light as those who are shunned by others for the cause of Christ.
Today’s passage in 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, gives us, especial those believers who suffer from persecution, reason to hope. The passage is about the final judgment of God on the wicked. Our blessed hope is that we, children of God, have no fear of God’s wrath on that day. The wrath of God in jugdment is reserved solely for the wicked. Romans 2:5 says, “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” There will be a judgment day! Paul says this judgment is evidence of God’s righteousness (verse 1:5a).
In application, we look to our recent study of Habbakuk. In Habakkuk 1:2-4, the prophet presents his first question to God, why does He allow all the injustices to continue? God answers by telling Habakkuk that He is doing a work and His righteousness shall prevail. In other words, he was to wait, be silent, and know that He is God. Contentment, or patience, is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, to have patience, especially in times of suffering and afflictions, requires the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit is within us at the very moment of regeneration when we are born again into Christ. It is His work that sanctifies, teaches, disciples, equips, and trains us in all acts of godliness. Even so, we rely on Him to comfort and make us content, even amongst the tragedies of life. This is our spiritual fruit for the glory of God. May Jesus Christ be praised!
The judgment of the wicked also proves the righteousness of God as He vindicates his children for all the wrong and injustice that has been inflicted upon them. Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 1:6 “since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you.” This message is consistent throughout the Old and New Testaments: Deuteronomy 32:35 says, “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’” Romans 12:17-21 says, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” In the Old Testament, God prepared the evil Babylonian nation to punish and take the Judeans into exile. However, they were severely cruel and the Lord declared that he would also punish Babylon for their abusive cruelty as well. In the same way, here in 2 Thessalonians, God is promising that He will avenge those who believe in Him.
Therefore, vengeance is the Lord’s. Be content! The awesomeness of this teaching, what at first appears to be contradictory statements in Scripture, shows us a means to give glory to God in our persecution. For example, when we are persecuted and afflicted, we must persevere in our faith by trusting God who will one day vindicate His beloved children. Nevertheless, persecuted children of God are also to love their enemies and pray for them. Additionally, Proverbs 24:17-18 says, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.” Humanly speaking, we want to reason and understand these instructions: to be encouraged in our suffering because the Lord will avenge us, to love and pray for our enemies, and to not rejoice when our enemies stumble and fall. Since God is our avenger, we do not need to be anxious. We trust His sovereign will for our lives. Second Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” Romans 5:3-5 says, “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Pain and sorrow, due to our seasons of affliction are traumatizing; especially, when we are persecuted for the cause of Christ. The application of this lesson to our lives is for us to be patient and content in all circumstances, and give all glory to God.
Christian Hymn, Be Still, My Soul by Katharina A. von Schlegel, pub. 1752; and translated by Jane L. Borthwick, pub. 1855
