Last Judgment 2022

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 (NIV) 5  All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6  God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7  and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10  on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

“We boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”

Acts 17:1–9 NIV84

1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. 5 But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Theological Message

The vindication of suffering believers and punishment of their persecutors (1:5; compare 3:3; 1:6–10; compare 2:7–8).

Imagine what it may have been like to have been a member of the new Christian congregation which St. Paul founded in Thessalonica in 49 AD. One Sabbath Day you attended synagogue and a guest traveling rabbi was invited to preach the sermon. Instead of the usual rehash of the law or an exposition of a key event in Israel’s history, this person used the Scriptures to explain and prove that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. (This was different that predictions you had heard that the Christ would be a victorious conqueror.) This teacher (named Paul) then went on to say that about 20 year ago a man from Nazareth called Jesus was the Christ and told about his life, death, AND resurrection and that because of him God forgives sins and through faith in him people have been redeemed and have eternal life. He also predicted that this same Jesus would return in all his glory. He further said that this promise wasn’t just for Jews, but also for Gentiles. As you look around you witness others in the synagogue being persuaded who were Jews but also a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. You experience a new energy and a new hope for the future and you come to believe what Paul is saying and put your trust in Jesus. You anticipate a new and exciting future for yourself and for your congregation. For three consecutive weeks Paul continues to preach and teach about Jesus.

But very soon a conflict arises. Acts 17:5-9 (NIV) 5  But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6  But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7  and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus." 8  When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9  Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

And then the next day you find out that Paul and Silas have moved on without explanation.

But the seed had been planted. Although Paul and Silas left, there message did not. The focus of the believers was on what Paul had taught and you joined with them in responding in the way Paul taught and you grew in your faith, hope, love, and devotion as you tried to put into practice his teachings on morality and service to God with a new motivation.

You recalled how Paul’s brief stay had such an impact on you. Not long after, you were excited to learn that Paul had sent a letter to the congregation and you listened with great joy and were encouraged by him as he recalled his visit and how many had responded.

1 Thessalonians 2:6–13 NIV84

6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

But there was a problem. The same people who had run Paul and Silas out of town were still in town and causing trouble for you and the rest of the congregation.

How bad were things for the congregation in Thessalonica?

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 (NIV) 14  For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15  who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16  in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

You also had hope that Paul would return. He indicates his plans to do so in his letter.

1 Thessalonians 2:17–20 NIV84

17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

And opposition was coming from the devil.

1 Thessalonians 3:5-6 (NIV) 5  For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. 6  But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

And so two things are going on simultaneously. The word of God with the message of Jesus is making your faith stronger as well as your hope for the future and your resolve to live a godly life, but at the same time you have to endure persecution and trials. What will the future be?

And you are tempted? No one enjoys suffering. No one enjoys hardships. It would be easier to just ignore religion altogether or even to forsake your fellow Christians and join the opposition.

Application: Don’t we face the same temptation? (What sufferings do we endure? What alternatives do we have?) Some people struggle with excessive body weight and decide it may be time to shed a few pounds. It can be done. It is basic science. Take in less calories than you burn.

We may suffer from conflict. (Refer to recent Forward in Christ article, Thank God for Conflict.)

Avoidance.

Dominance.

Submission.

Vengeance.

Romans 12:17–21 NIV84

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

St. Paul became aware of the struggles the early church of the Thessalonians faced. His encouragement may come as a surprise. After applauding them for their perseverance and not giving up, he points to a future in which God’s justice will be served. He portrays God as a champion who will come to right the wrong and give vindication to the oppressed.

2 Thessalonians 1:5–10 NIV84

5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

Teaching point: A popular movie theme is this: A person is mistreated and suffers an injustice at the beginning of the movie. The survivor then spends the rest of the movie using his/her resources and resolve to personally right the wrongs and in the end he/she confronts and destroys the aggressor.

Carrie

Death Wish

John Wick

Taken “I will find you and I will kill you.”

Kill Bill

Those who are victims enjoy these movies because it give them an escapist dream of personally righting the wrongs in your life.

But life isn’t always like that. We may not have the ability or opportunity to find justice. The Bible has a different approach. The Bible recognizes that people suffer injustices but instead of creating a narrative in which good always triumphs, it teaches us that in the end God will triumph either in time or at the end of time. MAUDE’S warning to Walter does seem to come true “God will get you for this.” Although we do not wish for the destruction of our enemies, we can patiently endure injustices as we trust in God to carry out his justice. Peter has us look to Jesus’ crucifixion while here Paul has us look to his return on the Last Day.

1 Peter 2:20–25 NIV84

20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

In the mean time: 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 (NIV84)

11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.