God’s Justice and Glory Promised — 2 Thess 1:1-12 Daily Word

Second Thessalonians is Paul’s letter written to correct a church where expectations of the Second Coming had grown excessive. While commending their spiritual maturity, Paul emphasizes God’s righteous judgment and the promise of glory to the saints who have kept the faith in the midst of persecution and tribulation.

[Scripture]

[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 ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. [4] Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. (2 Thess 1:1-4, ESV)

[5] This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—[6] since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, [7] and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels [8] in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thess 1:5-8, ESV)

[9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, [10] when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. [11] To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:9-12, ESV)

[Daily Word]

Second Thessalonians is Paul’s letter written to correct a congregation whose expectations about the Second Coming had grown excessive. Paul commends their spiritual maturity and emphasizes God’s righteous judgment and glory that await the saints who have held fast to their faith amid persecution and tribulation.

After Paul’s first letter reached the church at Thessalonica, anticipation of the Lord’s return ran high. The situation escalated to the point where some members were abandoning their livelihoods and simply waiting for the day of Christ’s return. It was to correct this very problem that Paul wrote his second letter — 2 Thessalonians. Paul begins by commending the spiritual maturity of the Thessalonian community. The believers there had grown rapidly in faith and were overflowing in love for one another.

He then declares that [4] Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. (2 Thess 1:4, ESV) — that he and others boast about them among all the churches. What is especially noteworthy is that the true hope of the Thessalonian church was not merely a longing for the Second Coming, but the fact that they endured “all persecutions and afflictions” with patience and faith. Because of this, when the Lord returns, He will render just judgment upon those who persecuted them, and will grant comfort and salvation to those who suffered. The Second Coming, therefore, becomes a day of hope for faithful believers — the day when the Lord’s righteous judgment is fully revealed.

In particular, God’s justice is described in [7] and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels (2 Thess 1:7, ESV) — that He will repay with rest those who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, bringing judgment upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (RSV)

Even those who are Jewish, if they do not know God’s will as revealed through Christ, are counted among those who “do not know God,” and those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus are those who refuse to submit to God — making them no different from unbelievers. The judgment they will face is described in [9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, (2 Thess 1:9, ESV) — they will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. In other words, unbelievers cannot enter into the Lord’s presence. Those who do not believe will exist forever in a world from which the Lord is entirely absent.

God, on the other hand, will receive glory and praise from the saints who believe in the Lord. (10) Though the world despised and rejected Christ, Jesus—who will return as the Lord of judgment and the King of victory—will receive glory and praise from His people. Therefore, the words [10] when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thess 1:10, ESV) instill assurance in the hearts of believers whose faith may be weak.

Because there is an end time when God’s people will attain the glory and rest of God, Paul says he continually prays that they may always be counted worthy to share in it. And all of this is expressed in [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:12, ESV) — that the grace of our Lord causes us to glorify God.

A life that brings glory to God often involves more suffering in this world than receiving honor from it. Yet we must remember that the suffering of the saints is a sign of God’s righteous judgment, and at the same time, a participation in the glory of Christ. Therefore, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope, may we all run the race of faith today with hope directed toward God.

2 Thessalonians, Second Coming, God’s Righteousness, Persecution and Tribulation, Glory of the Saints

Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com