Theology Category > Sabbath School
2 Thess 1:1-12 Promise to the Persecuted #11 2012, 3rd QR
Dedication:
--- Quote ---1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
1:5 [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
1:6 Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:
1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
--- End quote ---
Does the thought of the Second coming frighten you, or does it bring you hope?
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Dedication:
Rephrasing the third and fourth verse:
"We cannot help it, we must praise the Lord when we hear how you Thessalonians, who are enduring so much persecution and trouble, are growing exceedingly in your faith and your love for one another."
Persecution did not diminish their faith, instead their faith "grows exceedingly" they cling more intensely to Christ.
Also their love is growing. Persecution drew the members closer together.
But now compare the introduction of this second letter with the first letter, for something is missing.
In the first letter Paul is thankful for their faith, love and steadfastness of hope.
In the second Paul is thankful for their increasing faith and love, but there is no mention of their hope.
They are steadfast or patient under the continuing persecution, which implies that there is hope, but apparently the Thessalonians are starting to wonder "where is justice",.
Paul affirms them telling then that their unshaken faith in all their persecutions indicates that God judged them to be worthy to partake in God's eternal kingdom of righteousness.
Their hope and faith is directed to the second coming when everything will be made right.
The letter doesn't give much hope that things will get better before then, indeed it will get worse as the "man of sin" will arise and in pretended role of being the "voice of God" will cause many to be lost. But hope and faith will continue in steadfast patience in those anchored in the love of truth and faith of Jesus.
There will be justice
everlasting life in the kingdom of God for those who in steadfast patience continue in faith and love,
everlasting destruction for those who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dedication:
--- Quote ---Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
--- End quote ---
" Jesus does not lose sight of His people who have so many discouragements to encounter. It requires little effort to float with the popular current, but those who would gain the immortal shores must struggle against wind and tide. There is a form of Christianity--a spurious article--which has no reformative energy. Its possessors delight to oppose and decry the faith of others. Their religion is not seen in the market place, in the family, or in the workshop. Their religious experience runs in the corrupt channel of the world. {OHC 359.5}
"The true follower of Christ should not be dismayed at receiving reproach from this class. Said the beloved apostle, "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." 1 John 3:13. And our Saviour reminds His disciples, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." John 15:18. Those who are faithful to God will not be harmed by reproach or opposition. Nay, rather, virtues will thus be developed that will not flourish in the sunshine of prosperity. Faith, patience, meekness, and love will bud and blossom amid clouds and darkness. {OHC 359.6}
Dedication:
In the first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gave a beautiful picture of the second coming.
In this second letter Paul sought to correct the misunderstanding of his teaching, what do you think they were "misunderstanding"?
My opinion --
In 1 Thessalonians the emphases was on the positive aspect of the Second Coming.
Jesus will come -- the dead in Christ will be resurrected
Together the resurrected and those who never died will rise into the air to meet Jesus
And thus they would be forever with the Lord!
Were the Thessalonians thinking everyone would be saved?
Were they thinking the world would all be converted and everyone would enter the kingdom of God?
In 2 Thessalonians Paul makes it clear there will be judgement.
1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
He makes it clear that there would be a "falling away" in the church itself.
He exhorts them to continue in the way.
Johann:
The NIV gives an interesting insight into verse 3:
2 Thessalonians 1:3
New International Version (NIV)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters,[a] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
Footnotes:
2 Thessalonians 1:3 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 13, 15; 3:1, 6, 13.
It is important to recognize that the Word of God is sent to all people.
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