The Second Coming and Suffering for Jesus
For the introduction to this series click here
In his first epistle the emphasis was on the comfort the coming or parousia of Christ brings believers. In this second epistle the tone is different, the emphasis is on the power of the coming. “In the second epistle we have the vivid picture of the other side of the advent, the coming of the day of God as it will appear to the unbelieving and ungodly.” (A.B. Simpson)
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
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,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from 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.
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth
Amen! They were really growing in the Lord. It's neat to see once again the trinity of virtues in the Christian life: faith (grows exceedingly), love (abounds), and hope (of His coming).
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure – It would seem life was not a bowl of cherries for these believers. There was persecution and tribulation, and I have no doubt that every step of progress in their spiritual lives was met by more intense pressure (tribulation). But they would not give up (patience), they pressed on (faith).
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer – we are surrounded and bombarded daily by people who preach that increased faith on our part will reduce, even eliminate, trouble and tribulation, that faith in God brings wealth and ease. Lies! All lies! The Holy Ghost says here that God is in this tribulation and persecution. He didn’t bring it, but he is in it, using it to make the Thessalonians worthy of the kingdom of God.
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us – God allows them to persecute us now, then he will repay those who have troubled us with tribulation of their own. Tribulation for those who trouble us, and for us who are troubled, rest. Amen! But when?
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels – here is the second main word used for the return of Christ, revealed. It is the Greek word, apokalupsis or apocalypse. It means revelation, appearing. Parousia emphasizes the result of his coming, his presence, and the comfort that brings. Apokalupsis speaks of the revealing, the unveiling, the appearance of Christ; the emphasis is on power and glory.
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power
Here “we have the vivid picture of the other side of the advent, the coming of the day of God as it will appear to the unbelieving and ungodly. It shall be rest with us “when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe,” but for them who “know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” it will be “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (AB Simpson)
If we accept the comfort of the parousia, we have to accept the vengeance of the apokalupsis or apocalypse. The second coming will not be a joyous event for everyone. Who are these folks? “them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”. And what is the vengeance on such? everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. Oh how we need to pray for the lost in our families, among our friends, and those nations who are yet in darkness!!
When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe in that day – The Thessalonians were being persecuted by the unbelievers, they were considered dirt to be trampled on. In that day everything is reversed. Our persecutors will suffer the vengeance of the Lord and we will be the Lord’s glory. Isn’t this amazing? He comes to be glorified in his saints, in us! He will be glorified in his saints, he will be admired in all them that believe. Oh sure, we will praise and admire him, but he will be glorified in us – “These are your people! What a great work you did in saving and keeping them!”
Amen! and Amen! So, how do we apply this to our lives? The Holy Spirit does that in the closing verses of the chapter (2:11-12)
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment