A Word Of Comfort For The People Of God Series

A WORD OF COMFORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

II Thessalonians 1:5-10

Do you realize that the Bible actually promises that those who follow Christ will endure suffering and persecution? Paul told Timothy that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."(2 Timothy 3:12)

The world is in rebellion against God. This world hates God! So much so that when He took on human flesh and came to earth, the world responded by crucifying Him. This came as no surprise to Jesus. Furthermore, He promised that the world would treat us the way that they treated Him. John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Throughout Church history, Christ's followers have experienced great persecution. Even now Christians all over the world are enduring opposition, persecution and much suffering because of their faith in Jesus. We live in a place where we have the freedom to worship God, share our faith and live for Jesus. Sadly the majority of Christians in America take this freedom for granted.

I am thankful for our brothers and sisters all over the world who remain steadfast in the face of persecution. I am glad that their suffering is not in vain. God sees their persecution, God will reward their faithfulness and one day He will judge those who are persecuting them.

In our selected text, Paul draws a contrast between 2 groups of people. He speaks a word of comfort to those people who were being persecuted for their faith in Christ. He also gives a warning about the future of those who were persecuting those Christians. I would like for us to examine each of their situations. We will consider those who are persecuted today and Lord willing we will examine those who were persecuting them this evening.

- Let’s look to verses 4-10 and consider “A Word Of Comfort For The People Of God”.

The Thessalonian Christians were in the midst of a very troublesome time. They had endured great persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. In spite of their troubles, they were steadfast in their faith. Paul was unable to be with them because he had endured violent persecution in that area in the past. However, he loved this church immensely and he hoped to encourage them in the midst of their persecution. In these few verses, he mentions at least 3 major facts that should have brought comfort to the members of that church. These same truths should bring us comfort as well.

* In this passage we will find that:

i. There Is Comfort In The Promised Return Of Jesus

ii. There Is Comfort In Our Personal Relationship With Jesus

iii. There Is Comfort In The Powerful Reign Of Jesus

- Let us begin by considering the fact that:

I. THERE IS COMFORT IN THE PROMISED RETURN OF JESUS

v7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

One of the greatest promises in the Bible is the promise that our Savior is coming back some day. When He ascended to Heaven, He left us with the promise of His return. People have many different views concerning eschatology. Eschatology is "the study of the end times and the events concerning the return of Christ. This covers all future and final events, such as: The Rapture, The Great Tribulation, The Second Coming, The Millennial Reign of Christ, The Final Judgment, Armageddon, and eternity.

Within the church there are 3 primary beliefs concerning the end times. Some people identify as Premillennialists, Others are Postmillennialists And some are Amillennialists. Premillennialists believe that the Second Coming of Christ will precede the millennium. Postmillennialists believe that the second coming of Christ will follow the millennium. Amillennialists believe Christ is presently reigning through the Church, and that the "1000 years" of Revelation 20:1-6 is a only a metaphor. If that is not confusing enough for you, there are also different views concerning the "Rapture". Some believe in the "Rapture" and some don't. The "Rapture" is an event when all Christian believers (living and resurrected dead) will rise into the sky and join Christ for eternity.Those who do believe in the Rapture are divided into 3 more groups. They hold Pre-tribulation, Post-tribulation and Mid-tribulation views. Pre-Trib is the belief that the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation. Mid-Trib is the belief that the Rapture will take place in the middle of the Tribulation. Post-Trib is the belief that the Rapture will occur after the Tribulation. Is your head spinning yet?