2 Thessalonians 1

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 (NKJV) 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 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, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. After the usual salutations, Paul thanks God because the Thessalonians had grown in two areas: faith and love for each other. Their faith kept them connected to God and their love to each other so that they would be able to endure the persecution they were facing. G5281 - perserverence υπομονη hupomonē hoop-om-on-ay' From G5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

1:4 endure, anechomai (an-ekh-om-ahee); Strong’s #430: From ana, “up,” and echo, “to hold.” The word carries the idea of persevering, tolerating, bearing with, putting up with, standing firm, and not losing courage under pressure. Spirit filled life study Bible Paul commends them on how well they are enduring – it is not a passive acceptance of “whatever” – but an active trust, rest, and reliance on God to keep that which He has promised. The bible never teaches a passive acceptance of whatever happens as being God’s will – rather it teaches us to be steadfast and courageous in faith – knowing that what God promised – He is well able to perform. G425 - rest ανεσις anesis an'-es-is From G447; relaxation or (figuratively) relief: - eased, liberty, rest.

From which we get our trademark aspirin “Anacin” Paul tells them to hold on, the day is coming when justice will be meted out. The righteous will get rest and the unrighteous – will be forever separated from the presence

of God. It may not be apparent now, but God’s will – His perfect justice – will be done on this earth when He returns to set up His kingdom from Mt Zion. When God takes vengeance, it is not vindictiveness, but righteous recompense. There is no thought of “getting even” but rather of meting out the punishment which His holy, righteous character demands. He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:32). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments Some today have mistakenly believed that since God is a God of love, that He is also not just. Far be it indeed! There will be a day of settling accounts – when the books are opened and men are judged righteously by Jesus Christ. Thank God our sins have been atoned for and we stand righteous before His throne because of the blood of Jesus!! The Lord Jesus shall be revealed could be more literally translated “in the revelation of the Lord Jesus.” This is a new word for the second coming of Christ which emphasizes the manifestation of the person of Jesus Christ as a powerful Judge. KJV Bible commentary G602 - revealed αποκαλυψις apokalupsis ap-ok-al'-oop-sis From G601; disclosure: - appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.

Here we see the change in emphasis from 1 Thessalonians to this epistle. In 1 Thess – Paul is teaching on the rapture – when Christ returns for His saints and takes them to heaven. In 2 Thess – Paul discusses the “Day of the Lord” and the Apocalypse or Revelation of Jesus when He sets foot on earth again at His Second Coming. It is important to understand the distinction here or chapter two of 2 Thess will never be understood correctly. Paul ends this chapter with a prayer that would do us well today: 11

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!