Righteous God Renders Judgement

Introduction

In the first four verses of Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica, he gave the believers there three commendations. First, he commended them for their spiritual growth, saying that he was thankful that their faith was growing. Second, Paul commended them for their growth in love for one another. In fact, he said that their love abounded toward each other meaning that it was present in abundance! Lastly, Paul gave them a commendation for their patience because of all of the persecution, trials, and tribulations they’d encountered since becoming followers of Jesus. It’s what Paul says in those first three verses that sets up what we’re going to look at in vv. 5-10. So, in order to set the context for what we’ll talk about let’s read vv.1-10.

2 Thessalonians 1:1–10 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.

Prayer

Illustration: I remember once listening to a man speak about his experience in serving as a pastor in an area overseas that was extremely hostile to the Christian faith. He came from a Muslim background and told us that when he converted to Christianity he was shunned by his family on account of his newfound faith. In fact, he said that not only was he shunned, but he was also beaten more than once by extended family members who considered him to be a traitor. However, he then said that through it all, by God’s grace, he was able to persevere and eventually due to his testimony he led several of his family members to Christ, including his wife and children. (Pause) Now, if his story had ended there it would’ve be awesome, but it didn’t because once the authorities found out about the situation they came and arrested him. Not only did they arrest him, but then they took all of his family members who were professing Christians and did things to them that I’m uncomfortable speaking to you about, and then they killed some of them. When the man was asked by the interviewer how he’d managed to stay sane and endure everything he’d went through he said, “It’s because we believers serve a righteous God who will render justice through his Son when he returns.”

Stop and let that sink. Walk a mile in that man’s shoes and ask yourself if you could have made that comment under those circumstances. The fact is that’s what the Apostle Paul is point us to in vv.5-10. First, in vv.5-7a he says we serve a God who is righteous in his judgement. Second, in vv.7b-10 Paul says that when Jesus returns, we’re going to see God’s justice dived out in a way that leaves no question as to who’s in charge. Let’s take a quick look at these verses.

Believers Serve a Righteous God

2 Thessalonians 1:5–7 NKJV

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,

Illustration: I don’t know of a single person who hasn’t asked the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” A man I worked with once had an eighteen-month-old daughter who had some serious problems with seizures. I mean this little girl would have several of them every day, and the doctors, try as they might, couldn’t seem to get to the bottom of the issue and find out exactly what was wrong. Then finally, after several months of testing and visits to some of the most prestigious hospitals in the nation, the doctors found a drug that actually reigned in her seizures and got them under control. One week later his parents picked up their granddaughter, who for the first time was able to attend daycare with other kids, only to have a drunk driver run a stop light, T-bone them and kill her. Why do bad things happen to good people? (Pause)

Church, what Paul says in vv.5-7a of our text relates to that question, but the way he addresses it is in a way that we probably don’t expect. In fact, the way he does it actually, I believe, shows you how inspired your Bible is because I can’t think of anyone who would address the topic in this manner! Look at v.5. Paul says that this, that is all of those trials and tribulations he just mentioned in v.4, are “manifest (plain) evidence of the righteous judgement of God …” Now, that’s an interesting statement! Says one commentator, “The word “judgment” should be understood as God’s righteous decision to allow suffering in this world to sanctify his people. God has chosen to build his people’s character through the difficulties they experience during their lives in this evil world.”[1] The main point seems to be found in what Paul says next, “that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you now suffer …” Did you know that if you’re a believer you’re suffering now is actually preparing you for something more? That right, it’s preparing you for the kingdom that’s going to be consummated when Jesus comes back. (Pause) Now, take a look at what’s said in vv.6-7a. Paul says, “6since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation (affliction) those who trouble you, 7aand to give you who are troubled rest with us …” Not only is God preparing you as a believer for the consummation of the kingdom, but those who reject him are also setting themselves up for judgement, and guess what, Paul has just said right here that he, that is God, is “righteous” or just in judging them! Unfair you say? No, because we are responsible for our actions, and those who reject a relationship with Christ will pay the penalty for that rejection.

(Appeal) Let me ask you, where are at when it comes to your relationship with Christ? If you’ve placed your faith in him, you can rest assured that the trials and tribulations you suffer through are preparing you for something more. In fact, it’s something more than you or I can even begin to imagine! On the other hand, if that’s not you, and you’re rejecting Christ, then you’re setting yourself up for the judgment that’s coming. The simple truth is this, believers serve a righteous God, and there are two types of people in this world, those who are for him, and those who are against him. We have to ask ourselves which end of the spectrum we fall on.

[1] Bruce B. Barton and Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Life Application Commentary, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), 115.

When Will We See God’s Judgement?

2 Thessalonians 1:7–10 NKJV

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.

Now, we know that believers, even in their trials and suffering, are being prepared for the kingdom, but in that preparation, we don’t see the punishment for those who cause or insight it, nor do we see the recompense for our suffering yet. The key word in that sentence is the word yet. So, the logical question to ask here would be, when is this going to happen? Vv.7b-10 give us the answer, and they also tell us just a little about what believers are going to do when Jesus returns. In the second part of verse 7 we’re told that unbelievers will receive punishment and believers “rest”, When(?) “… when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels …” Now, there’s about as many opinions about how this is all going to play out as there are fingers and toes in this church, and good Christians certainly have their differences of opinion concerning the events surrounding the return of Jesus, however, whatever those differences might be, Paul doesn’t go into great detail here. He does, however, give us just a little information about the events surrounding our Savior’s return. Take a look at vv.8-10. First, in v.8, concerning unbelievers, Paul says that when Jesus returns it’s going to be “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In this verse Paul draws on what the prophet Isaiah said in Is. 66:15-16, “15For behold, the Lord will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. 16For by fire and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many.” This also sounds quite similar to John’s language in Revelation that’s used to describe the Battle of Armageddon in Rev. 19. (Pause) In 2 Thess. 1:9 Paul continues describing the fate of unbelievers and he says this, “These (the unbelievers) shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power”. What are we to make of this statement? (Pause) There are some who teach a view that’s known as annihilationism which says that unbelievers will be annihilated at the return of Christ. In other words, they will cease to exist both body and soul. Now, before we point fingers too quickly, we need to be very careful hear and realize that there have been some giants of the faith who have at some point held this view. John Stott and Philip Edgecombe Hughes are two twentieth century conservative theologians who came to this conclusion, and some of the writings of Justyn Martyr an early church father have hints of it as well. So, it’s not like this is a modern invention or some kind of “new view”. The reason annihilationism can be appealing to people is because it seems like it takes some of the sting of punishment away, nevertheless, I must tell you that I think it’s incorrect. In my view the place we know as Hell is a place of eternal punishment. When I take all that the Bible says concerning what it teaches about the punishment of those who reject the faith, everlasting/eternal punishment seems to me to be hard to deny. Theologian J.I. Packer offers four arguments in favor of eternal conscious punishment that I find hard to dispute. 1) the meaning of the word “everlasting”. 2) the intrinsic eternality of the soul. 3) divine justice. 4) can Hell deflate Heaven? I commend what Packer says for your reading on the Gospel Coalition website.[1]

Lastly, here, look at v.10 because in this verse we’re shown just a glimpse of what believers will do when Jesus comes back. Paul says that when Jesus returns, he, that is Jesus, is going to be “glorified in His saints and admired among all those who believe …” Church, when Jesus comes back believers are going to stand in awe; they will be completely amazed. If you’re hear and you’re a believer this is referring to you; you will be among those who stand in amazement of the Savior. How do we know that to be true? It’s because of the words that Paul concludes with in v.10. We know this because you “believed”.

[1] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/j-i-packer-on-why-annihilationism-is-wrong/

Conclusion

Do you believe? Are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Have you given your life to him? If you have, know that there is a bigger purpose at work in those moments of suffering you experience. You are being molded and shaped for the coming consummation of the kingdom. Also, rest in in the hope that a day will come when what Paul says in Romans 12:19 will come to pass, “… avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19).

Invitation

Prayer