Daily Writing

Thursday, 21 September 2017

…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.
2 Thessalonians 1:8

The “flaming fire” here belongs to the angels, not to the judgment of the angels. Thus, there should be a comma after fire instead of before it. In the Old Testament, angels are known as seraphim, or “burning ones.” Much of the tribulation judgment does not come in the form of fire. Thus, there would otherwise be an inconsistency in the text. These powerful angels display a burning aura around them. Their judgments will be poured out on the world according to the descriptions found in the book of Revelation.

They will be, as it says, “taking vengeance.” However, the word “taking” is not appropriate. It implies personal vindictiveness, a characteristic not found in the true God. The Greek reads “giving” or “rendering.” God is not punishing because of a personal grudge against offenders. Instead, he is assigning to the unrepentant world their just due, and each man will receive that just due for not ascribing to God what is appropriate, and for just repayment of those who troubled His people.

It is for this reason that vengeance will come, and it will come upon “those who do not know God.” Jesus stated that if one sees Him, they have seen the Father. It is He who reveals God to us in a manner which we can understand, and it is He who mediates between God and man. Those who reject Jesus do not ascribe to God what is appropriate; and they, in turn, are those who then trouble His people. Otherwise, they would be His people. But they are, instead, at odds with God; enemies of Jesus. This is explicitly stated in the words, “and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

By the words here then, we have two different categories:

1) Those who do not know God.
2) Those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Though the two go hand in hand, they are listed separately because there are different types of knowledge in Paul’s mind. There are those who “know” God (even that Jesus is God), but they then do not acknowledge Him. And there are those who don’t “know” God, because they don’t know who Jesus is. This then follows through with the next clause. The first category may “know” God because they know who Jesus is, but they do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They reject the truth of Christ, and thus they reject God. The two categories are necessarily stated separately to show that all will be punished because of failing to meet one or the other category.

The words “of our Lord Jesus Christ” are specifically used here to define those who may know the gospel, but who still reject the work of Jesus as the Messiah. In other words, this includes Jews of the end times who will be destroyed, even to two thirds of the nation (Zechariah 13:8). With God, there is no partiality, and both Jew and Gentile are favored only because of their standing with Christ Jesus. No other distinction will save them. Destruction lies ahead for all who fail to come to Christ.

Life application: If you have failed to come to Christ through the gospel of Christ (and this includes all who attempt to be justified by works of the law), you will be left behind at the rapture, and you will endure the judgments of the tribulation period. Now would be a good time for you to leave the Hebrew Roots movement, the SDA, or any other group who mandates observance of the law, in part or in whole. Call on Christ, trust in Christ, rest in Christ.

Lord God, You word assures us that there is a period of time coming on the earth which will be complete destruction and final judgment. You have shown in Your word that there is but one way to be freed from that time – trusting in the gospel of Christ Jesus. You gave us this avenue, and so for us to willingly reject it means that we merit Your disfavor. Help people to realize this, and help us to be willing to lead all to a saving knowledge of what He has done for us! Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Wednesday, 20 September 2017

…and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
2 Thessalonians 1:7

Paul has just noted the repayment by God with tribulation of those who troubled the believers. As the epistle is written for the entire church age, it is a time which lies ahead, and in which the world will be judged for its treatment of believers. This becomes more evident as the words of this verse continue to unfold. He now states believers will obtain the opposite of the “tribulation” the world will receive by saying, “and to give you who are troubled rest.”

The word “rest” here is only used five times in Scripture, once in Acts, and four times by Paul. It gives the sense of relief or freedom. It is a type of rest that occurs when one lets loose something tense. A person who has held a bow and arrow until the strain builds up is given this type of relaxing ease when he lets go of the arrow. This is what will be given to those who face the stress of the world which comes against faithful Christians. Paul then says this will occur “with us.” He is speaking specifically of himself, Silvanus, and Timothy.

His words give the sense of the gathering together of all believers. Those who first suffered tribulations, and those then who saw their trials and were willing to also endure what they saw by receiving Christ, will together be given relief from those who troubled them. And all of this is set to occur “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven.” The Greek literally reads, “at the apocalypse of the Lord Jesus.”

It is a different term than is normally used of the advent of Christ, parousia. That denotes “presence.” On the other hand, the word “apocalypse” gives a more striking concept of the appearance or manifestation of Christ. It is a period where Christ will be revealed as the One, Supreme, and All-powerful Ruler of the world. Thus, this appearance here is speaking of something different than the rapture itself, which he already described in 1 Thessalonians 4. However, Paul uses the name “Jesus” to help the believers identify more closely with His human nature. Despite what is coming, we have a Lord who first personally suffered for His people. When His people now suffer, He can empathize with them, and He will then be faithful to fully repay those who have persecuted His beloved church. It will be a time when He “is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.”

Again, the term in Greek more literally says, “with the angels of His power.” These are angels which serve the Lord, and which exercise His great power for His sovereign purposes. They are given His commands, and they execute His judgments according to His words. Jesus speaks of them in Matthew. Jude speaks of them as well. And in the book of Revelation, we are given exacting insights into what they will accomplish at the Lord’s direction.

Life application: As the world continues to tailspin into more and more perversion, God’s people can expect to be faced with more and more persecution. But the Lord is not uncaring about this. Just the opposite is true. His plans and purposes are being fulfilled, even through our times of trouble. But He will also faithfully execute judgment on those who persecute His people. Don’t think the Lord has abandoned you; He has not.

Lord God, the Bible is clear – judgment is coming upon the world because of its turning away from You. Your word is also clear that judgment begins in Your house. Those churches which are openly condoning perversion of all kinds will be brought to utter ruin. Is a moment of perverse enticement worth condemnation and eternal punishment? Certainly not. We pray today that holiness will be restored in your churches, and that the sexually immoral will be expelled from Your house. Surely, things can’t continue for long as they are now progressing. Amen.

Tuesday, 19 September 2017

…since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
2 Thessalonians 1:6

Paul’s words here are actually given in a hypothetical sense. The Greek reads, “…if so be that it is a righteous thing…” However, the words leave nothing uncertain, and there is nothing conditional in them. Rather, it is simple a tool Paul uses from time to time in order to argue a fact that will be recognized as true by his readers. Thus, the English does carry the correct sense. It is “a righteous thing with God to repay.”

If the words stopped there, one might think that every type of tribulation and suffering would be recompensed by God, but God is also at times the initiator of tribulation. He is perfectly just in His decisions, and when afflictions come from Him, they are a part of what is ordained from His eternal mind for various reasons, and to meet His ultimate end. However, there is repayment from God which Paul speaks of here which is based on the suffering of His saints. Thus he says that God will “repay with tribulation those who trouble you.”

The affliction of His redeemed people may appear to go unpunished, but it never will be. God, in due time, will repay all such things, and He will do so with tribulation which comes from Him. All of this is given as a support for the words of the previous verses. God is wholly just, and He will dispense judgment based on His perfect nature. Albert Barnes gives four logical reasons for Paul’s words here now –

1. It is inconceivable that God should threaten such punishment unless it were just.
2. People themselves believe that it is just that the wicked should be punished.
3. If it is right to punish wickedness here, it is not wrong to punish it in the future world.
4. It will be a righteous thing for God to punish the wicked in a future state, for they are not always punished here as they deserve.

Paul, under the inspiration of the Spirit, says that punishment of those who cause the Lord’s redeemed trouble will come, and so we know it will be as he has said. He is fully in control of all things; it would be wrong for Him to say He would do this and then not do it; and it would be wrong for Him to allow His people to suffer if their suffering wasn’t repaid on those who caused them to suffer. Therefore, because we serve the perfect, just, and righteous God, our sufferings will be repaid upon those who cause us to suffer.

Life application: The book of Romans says, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord” (12:17-19). The Lord will, in fact, judge the evils rendered against us. Though it is difficult to not retaliate, it is for this reason that we are then admonished to tend to our enemies. Maybe we can convert them before their just punishment comes. This is what we are called to do. Lord, give us strength to so act.

Lord God, it is a tough thing for us to wait on Your righteous judgment upon those who mistreat us. But this is what Your word asks of us. Grant us the ability to feed and care for our enemies that maybe some of them might be converted. If they are, then their just punishment will have been executed at the cross and not in them. Isn’t that a better, more happy end? Help us to respond in the way which would be most pleasing to You. Amen.

Monday, 18 September 2017

…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; 2 Thessalonians 1:5

The words “which is” are inserted here. In the original, the words make a sharper statement –

“…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 – manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.”

The “manifest evidence” which is being referred to is debated. Is it speaking of the “patience and faith” of those in the church, or is it speaking of the “persecutions and tribulations” that those in Thessalonica face?

It is probably speaking of the entire clause, both their patience and faith, and their persecutions and tribulations. Thus, what Paul means is that God’s judgment on those who persecuted them would be deemed as completely fair. They had unjustly persecuted the church, and God will look on their lives, including their persecutions of the church, and He will be fully just in their condemnation.

And yet, at the same time, their patience and faith was also manifest evidence of God’s righteous judgment on their persecutor’s sin. The patience and faith looks back to the cross on behalf of believers; the persecutions and tribulations looks forward to final judgment on the offenders. Thus, the words, “that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God” are not words of merit for salvation, but words of merit of salvation.

The form of the verb which is translated as “that [you] may be counted worthy” signifies “to the end that.” There is an end purpose in their faith, and there is an end purpose in their suffering. We demonstrate faith in Christ, and we endure in our faith, with an end purpose – the salvation of our souls. This verse neither speaks of works for meriting salvation, nor does it give the possibility of losing one’s salvation. Paul is simply stating that what has occurred, and what is occurring, has an end purpose in the redemptive process. This end purpose is being counted worthy of the kingdom of God.

In these words, there is the sense that because of suffering one can predict the fair verdict of God – “Worthy.” It is not a question of merit, but of standing. We are in Christ, He suffered, and our actions show that we understand this. It is for this reason that Paul then says, “for which you also suffer.” This hearkens back to the words of Jesus –

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

What Christ did for His people is fully sufficient to save His people. But this does not negate that His followers are exempt from what He faced. It actually presupposes it. This is why in John 15:18, He told his followers, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” Paul is simply re-explaining these things to those in Thessalonica so that they can understand what has taken place, what is occurring, and what the outcome of those things will be.

Life application: If you face suffering for your commitment to Christ, it is not an indication of God’s disapproval of you. Instead, it is quite the opposite. If you are in Christ, you are beloved of the Father, and He is allowing troubles into your life for various reasons which all have a sound purpose. He is proven just in His condemnation of those who persecute you; and His salvation of you, because of what Christ did is revealed in your own suffering. Be of good cheer. God’s plan for you is perfect, even if it includes suffering.

Lord God, though we may suffer because of our faith in Christ, Your word tells us that it is not a sign of Your disapproval. Instead, it is a part of the normal and expected treatment of those who set their allegiance on You and not on anyone or anything in this world. We were told that the world first hated Jesus, and so we can expect the same. But the end for us, and the end for those who persecute us, will be vastly different. Thank You for the sure hope we profess, even through suffering. Amen.

Sunday, 17 September 2017

…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, 2 Thessalonians 1:4

Paul had just noted the exceeding growth of faith among the believers as well as their abounding love toward one another. Because of this, he encourages them by saying, “so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God.” In this, he is not boasting in them as the object of boasting, but rather the subject of it. The actual object of such a boast is in the Lord who was working among them and through them in their increased faith and love. This is what faith in Christ is intended to do, and so Paul and his companions used those in Thessalonica as examples of how an effective church, centered on the Lord, should interact – with their God (faith) and among one another (love) of the previous verse.

Paul then continues by explicitly noting their “patience and faith.” In the context of the New Testament, the idea of patience here is “endurance.” It is a steadfast attitude which is centered on the fact that God enables a person or group to remain under whatever challenges or trials He has allowed them to face. This is coupled with their “faith” which is confidence in God despite those challenges and trials. Such is certainly the case here, because he then specifically notes the “persecutions and tribulations that you endure.”

The persecutions are specific and targeted attacks against them. It indicates anyone who was directly irritating them, badgering them, or even bringing troubles against them physically. The tribulations are more general, and they are indicative of difficulties which hem someone in, even to the point where it seems there is no avenue of escape.

Between the persecution and tribulations, others might simply get up and leave, feeling that the trouble outweighed the benefits. But the hope of those in Thessalonica was steadfast, and so they endured through all that came their way. Their faith told them that they were to receive a kingdom which will not be shaken, and so they remained fixed on that and continued to serve God with reverence and fear.

Paul will explain the benefits of their steadfastness, and he will explain what will come to those who had been persecuting them. In the end, their patience and endurance would be rewarded. They knew this, and Paul’s words will come as both a reminder and a continued encouragement to them. They are words which should be considered and applied to our own lives now because, until the Lord returns, there will always be persecutions and tribulations for the Lord’s faithful.

Life application: As Paul’s letters are prescriptive for the church age, it’s important to understand that teachings of prosperity, health, wealth, and good times are misguided; and at times, they are shown to be ridiculous. The true benefits of calling on Christ are set for a future date. Any times of blessing in this life are to be accepted with thanks, but are not to be expected as if we are entitled to them.

Heavenly Father, every good blessing we have has come from You. But should times of trial, persecution, and tribulation come, grant us the strength to endure through them. Help us to keep our hope on that which lies ahead. This world is temporary, and every happy time is temporary as well. But what You have promised is eternal, and it will be coming at some wonderful time ahead. May we fix our hope on that, and stand fast in our faith now – through good times and bad. Amen.