Last Judgment (4)

(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 glory of his might 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.

Anacin. Pain reliever from the Greek word anecin. Means relief.

What does it mean to “obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ”?

It would be wonderful if we could go through life without feeling any pain. But that is not always the case. We get headaches, our muscles get sore from work or exercise, injuries cause pain. It seems that the older we get the more aches and pains we have. When we are in pain, we may seek relief in the form of medicine. Often over the counter remedies are sufficient. In some cases we need stronger relief. If you were to take an over the counter remedy for pain relief, what would you take? One product that has been available for over 100 years is Anacin. I am not promoting this pain reliever over any other brand. I mention it because the word ἄνεσιn is found in our sermon text today. Not in the English, but in the Greek. It is found in this verse.

(NIV)

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.

The word translated as “relief” is the Greek word ἄνεσιν.

Harris, W. H., III. (2010). The Lexham Greek-English Interlinear New Testament: SBL Edition (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

We know how Anacin gives us relief from physical pain. What troubles did the Thessalonians experience and how would God give them relief from their distress?

This is a reference to persecution at the hands of those who did not know God or did not obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A common theme in the New Testament is how God’s people would suffer for the sake of Jesus. (see passages)

Matthew 10:24–25 NIV

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

2 Corinthians 1:3–11 NIV

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

1 Thessalonians 2:13–16 NIV

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 a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people 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 everyone 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.

It seems so unfair. Jesus came to the world to save us from our sins, to give us freedom from shame and guilt, to make us children of God, to show us how to live, and to be a blessing to others as we glorify God. Our lives are to be ones of service and helping others as we unselfishly use our gifts to benefit others. It is to be a life known by love and good deeds and filled with the fruit of the Spirit. (see passage).

It seems so unfair. Jesus came to the world to save us from our sins, to give us freedom from shame and guilt, to make us children of God, to show us how to live, and to be a blessing to others as we glorify God. Our lives are to be ones of service and helping others as we unselfishly use our gifts to benefit others. It is to be a life known by love and good deeds and filled with the fruit of the Spirit. (see passage). One would think that we could all not just get along but be of help and encouragement to each other as we work together to show God’s love. Why would anyone object to that or give trouble to those who have such lofty goals?

Titus 2:11–15 NIV

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Galatians 5:19–26 NIV

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

One would think that we could all not just get along but be of help and encouragement to each other as we work together to show God’s love. Why would anyone object to that or give trouble to those who have such lofty goals?

And yet they do. A distant cousin of mine recently posted on Facebook (He is on Facebook a lot) about how thankful he was for our synod and how his niece from Wisconsin was recently helped when she had an accident in Alaska. He called our synod a “close knit” family and praised fellow members of our synod for their kindness and helpfulness. In the comments section were these disturbing remarks (from people claiming to be Christians)

Must be your particular congregation. We quit going and didn’t get contacted by a single elder or member. I think all congregations are different; I woman I worked with whose husband left and was living with another woman (not in their church) get this! They excommunicated my co-worker not the husband! I also know that they don't let woman vote on issues.....sounds like a caveman group to me.

📷 Jana Secord I think all congregations are different; I woman I worked with whose husband left and was living with another woman (not in their church) get this! They excommunicated my co-worker not the husband! I also know that they don't let woman vote on issues.....sounds like a caveman group to me.

One wonders why some people need to make disparaging comments that has nothing to do with the content of the “Good News” story.

Even worse are those who take action against Christians who are brave enough to “let their light shine”. Jesus says the goal of living openly as Christians is to be witness to other and hopefully they will praise God. But he also knew and taught that there would be those who would reject Christians.

Well, the problem is sin. There are those people who are so selfish and arrogant that they don’t want to help their fellow man but are more concerned about their own selfish pleasure or the love of money or pride that they not only take advantage of others, but who try to silence those who teach them otherwise. When the early Christians taught and lived a life of sacrificial love, those who loved themselves more than others and God were intent on silencing them.

At the time, they seemed to have the upper hand. This was nothing new. The Bible shows how often those in control and with power used their power to suppress others rather than help them. The one who was suppressed may have felt as though they had no chance because they just didn’t have the power to resist or overcome.

Application: We may feel at times as though we are in a hopeless situation and need an advocate and relief.

Well, the Lord would often encourage those who are suffering with the promise of better days ahead. (Beatitudes). The Lord also promised a future time when all rights would be wronged, the guilty would be punished, and the righteous would be saved. This is the message of our text as well.

Mary sings of this in the Magnificat.

Luke 1:50–53 NIV

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

Ezekiel 34:25–31 NIV

25 “ ‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in the forests in safety. 26 I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. 27 The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them. 28 They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid. 29 I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations. 30 Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. 31 You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’ ”

James 5:7–11 NIV

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

(See illustration from victims of crime or military oppression).

It is a consistent, comforting theme in the Bible for those who suffer. If we are suffering unjustly at the hands of sinful men, we are reassured that God is still in control and that ultimately he will give us relief and everything will work out for our good. In undoubtedly the most hard to understand book of the Bible (Revelation), this is the over riding theme which is sometimes lost in all of its imagery and dramatic visions. St. Paul is certainly more clear in his words of encouragement here.

2 Thessalonians 1:5 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.

Well, the Lord would often encourage those who are suffering with the promise of better days ahead. (Beatitudes). The Lord also promised a future time when all rights would be wronged, the guilty would be punished, and the righteous would be saved. This is the message of our text as well.

The people were suffering for being Christians. Trust in God who will reveal his righteous judgment fully in the future. Those who suffer for the sake of Jesus are doing the right thing (counted worthy).

2 Thessalonians 1:6 NIV

6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you

Justice will be served. Trust in God to do this in his way and in his time.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 NIV

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.

Although we may indeed see justice in our lifetime, this is not guaranteed. What is guaranteed is that we will be exonerated and justice will be served ultimately on the Last Day. This will be a time when God will declare us righteous openly and those who rejected him will be punished eternally.

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 NIV

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 glory of his might

Modern man does not accept this repeated teaching of Scripture. They would prefer the incorrect maxims that “all dogs go to heaven” and that “all roads lead to heaven”. This is not the teaching of the Bible.

2 Thessalonians 1:10 NIV

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.

Even though the Last Day will be a day of almost unimaginable destruction (read Revelation) and Peter, it will be a Day enjoyed by us.

Luke 21:25–28 NIV

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Application: We can relate to this in part from the following illustration. Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day. At 11:00 AM on 11/11/1918 an Armistice was signed to end the war to end all wars. It was the official end to World War I. None of us experienced first hand the horrors of trench warfare in Europe (some of us may have known personally soldiers who fought there), but history (and historically accurate documentaries and movies) show us just how horrible it was. Men and women suffered on both sides of the conflict. For the victors, the end of the war was a celebrated event which is still commemorated to this day. For the defeated, it became fuel for the second World War. The same could be said about VE day and VJ day in 1945.

But unlike the temporary peace of the ends of those wars, the final victory on the Day of Judgment will result in everlasting triumph and relief for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their savior. This is the eternal relief that we will enjoy then and the hope that we have now.

God will Give Relief to Those who Suffer