Suffering, Justice, and Judgement

Pray

1) Background of 2 Thessalonians

a. Written shortly after 1 Thessalonians, probably from Corinth

b. authorship

c. Continues to address misunderstanding regarding the return of Christ as well as work ethic.

2) Persecuted? Be encouraged!, 2 Thess1:3-12

a. 2 Thess 1:3-5

2 Thessalonians 1:3–5 NLT

3 Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. 5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.

i. Paul is thankful that they continue to grow during persecution (Romans 5:3-4)

Romans 5:3–4 NLT

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

ii. God will use times of suffering for our growth v5

b. 2 Thess 1:6-10

2 Thessalonians 1:6–10 NLT

6 In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. 7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.

i. God will bring justice, v6

ii. God will bring rest, v7

iii. Jesus will come in power and judgement v7-8

1. Judgement on those who do not know God

2. Judgement on those who refuse to obey the Good News

iv. Punishment, aka hell, is real. Eternal separation from Jesus, v9

v. Jesus will be glorified, receiving all honor, v10

c. 2 Thess 1:11-12

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 NLT

11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

i. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian church, that they be worthy of their salvation in Jesus. V11

ii. This will result in honor for Jesus and for the believers, v12

3) When will Jesus return?, 2 Thess 2:1-12

a. He hasn’t returned yet, 2 Thess 2:1-3

2 Thessalonians 2:1–3 NLT

1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.

b. The man of lawlessness, the antichrist, 2 Thess 2:3-12

2 Thessalonians 2:3–12 NLT

3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. 5 Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? 6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming. 9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

i. Only the Father knows when Jesus

ii. An antichrist for each generation

Conclusion

A. Suffering, trials, difficulties, persecution are to be expected

B. We should grow through the hardship, living a life worthy of our salvation

C. Jesus will bring justice. We don’t have to.