A Study of the Book of 2 Thessalonians
“Balancing the Books!”
2 Thess. 1:5-12
Does it pay to serve God or not? In our text is a group of young believers that are suffering persecution. We know from secular historians of the time (Pliny the Elder) that it was in Thessalonica that the first Gentiles were killed by the Roman Empire, because the local governor decreed that every Christian had to bow before a statue of Augustus Caesar. The first crucifixions, the first burnings, and the first great persecutions of Christians began then. These Thessalonians were right in the middle of the persecutions. (xxx p. 89)
In the first letter to the church at Thessalonica Paul had assured these believers that the persecution that they were suffering was not due to God’s judgement but instead were the consequence of their allegiance to the word of God. Paul also told them of a coming Day of the Lord in which judgement would fall on the unbelieving world. But that coming Day of Judgement would bring an end to their persecution. At least some in the congregation were persuaded that the Day of the Lord had already arrived, why then were the believers not vindicated and the wicked would be punished. Why then were they being persecuted even more than before. Where then was God’s justice and judgement? Why does God delay His judgment? Why doesn’t He vindicate His people now? Is He unable to, or does He not care? Some had seized on the ‘delay’ in the appearance of God’s judgment as an excuse to ignore or reject the idea of God’s judgment. Peter wrote that some were “saying and Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were form the beginning of Creation.” (2 Pet. 3:4)
The writer of Ecclesiastes grappled with the same problem why is it that the righteous die you-ng and poor while the wicked die old and wealthy (Eccles. 7:15). But the writer of Ecclesiastes goes on to note there is more to reality and life than can be learned or observed from the human level. The time is coming when “God will bring every deed to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccles. 12:14)
Paul begins with words of encouragement intended to spiritually bolster these suffering saints and enable them to continue stand firm as they served as examples of godly perseverance.
First, The Promise of Rewards. (1:5)
“which is manifest of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.”
When suffering comes into our lives there is difficulty in determining whether those experiences should be interpreted as attacks on God’s people by those hostile to God or as punishment suffered because of sin. But as Paul examined the Thessalonians he saw that they were not only persevering and trusting in the midst of persecution but were actually growing and increasing as a sign of God’s blessing and not His judgement.
But don’t be confused. This verse does not suggest that their suffering earned them the right to go to Heaven because we know that they were saved through faith in Christ (1 Thess. 1, Eph 2:8-10) “Counted worthy” here does not mean “made worthy” but simply that they will be recognized as being worthy.
But there is purpose in that adversity and suffering. Trials deepen a believer just as a period without rain causes roots to look for water deeper in the earth. If you ask any believer when in their spiritual lives they grew the most, many will respond that they grew the most during periods of difficulty when they discovered the faithfulness of God. Trials deepen our faith is several ways.
1. They make us cling to the Lord in a new way and with greater intensity.
2. Times of trial make us long for Heaven in a way nothing else can. When our loved ones die, when we are tired and worn down by life, when trusted friends prove they are not truly friends, it causes us to say, “Even so come Lord Jesus!”
3. It is the hard times that enables to really appreciate the blessings of this life.
4. Trials prove who the real believers are. You have to ask yourself if being a Christian were outlawed and meeting together was to risk being arrested, how many people who currently fill the church today would still be there?
But the rewards that are spoken of are not meted out during this life. Warren Wiersbe tells a story of two farmers. “There were two farmers, one was a believer and the other was an atheist. When harvest season came, the atheist taunted is believing neighbor because apparently God had not blessed him too much. The atheist’s family had not been sick, his field were rich with harvest and he was sure to make a lot of money. The Atheist said, “I thought you said it paid to believe in God and be a Christian.” The Christian replied, “It does pay but God doesn’t always pay His people in September.” [Warren Wiersbe. “Be Ready” (Wheaton, ILL: S &P Pub., 1979) p. 129]
First the Promise of Rewards and now…
Second, The Promise of Repayment. (1:6, 8-10)
“since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with
tribulation those who trouble you, … 8 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.9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
In verse six Paul says there are two sides to God’s judgment one is negative -retribution to “those who trouble you” and in verse seven (which we will look in a moment) and there is the positive side – “rest to those who are troubled.”
First, we will examine the negative side of this judgment! Jesus will come in “flaming fire to take vengeance on those who do not know God.” (v. 8) The word “vengeance” must not be confused with revenge. The word “vengeance” is from the same root word as “righteous” (v. 5) and the word “just” (v. 6) and carries the idea of the administration of justice. The purpose of vengeance is to satis-fy God’s holy law; the purpose of revenge is to satisfy a personal grudge. In his letter to the Romans Paul wrote, “Repay no one evil for evil.
Have regard for good things in the sight of 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.” (Romans 12:17, 19)
These individuals are not punished solely for having persecuted Christians, but this persecution reveals a heart that has rejected God. These people are identified as “those who do not know God” (v. 8) those being described are not just guilty of sim-ple ignorance but rather willful rejection.
Paul in his letter to the church at Rome wrote,
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, "19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)
This verse contains a phrase that sounds strange and even unnatural to our ears. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven." It’s the phrase the "wrath of God" that grabs our attention. We’re accustomed to hearing about the love of God. We know about the grace of God. We sing about the mercy of God. We praise the glory of God. We ponder the holiness of God. But the wrath of God? We hardly ever mention it. There aren’t many hymns about God’s wrath. We’d much rather sing "Jesus loves me, this I know." But in Romans 1 we come face to face with the wrath of God.
The word translated wrath is the Greek word (orge) is not the word used for a sudden angry outburst. Rather, the word refers to a strong set-led opposition over a long period of time, to all that is evil. God’s wrath is revealed “against all ungodliness” – ungodliness does not necessarily indicate atheism (the belief that God does not exist) but rather acting as if God does not exist, a utter disregard for God. God’s wrath is revealed “against… unrighteousness of men” this refers to wickedness for godless attitudes always lead to godless conduct.
When Paul says, “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” it does not indicate that men do not know the truth, but rather that they knowingly suppress the truth. The word translated “suppress” means to “to hold back or to restrain.” Paul here charges the entire human race with deliberately, willfully and knowingly turning away from God.
This section of the letter to the church at Rome is going to reveal that every person no matter where they may live in this world has two irrefutable witnesses to the existence of God. The witness of Conscience “are manifest in them” (v. 19) and the witness of Creation (v. 20)
Creation is a clear light of revelation to all. The psalmist said, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained” (Psalms 8:3). Also “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork” (Psalms. 19:1). God says here that the evidence is “clearly seen” – plain for anyone who will open their eyes.
Paul says the result is “So that they are with-out excuse” (v. 20). Creation so clearly reveals God that man is without excuse. This section reveals the historical basis of man’s sin. It did not come about through ignorance. It was willful rebellion in the presence of clear evidence.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 provides some of the Bible’s clearest teaching on the punishment of Hell.
People don’t like to talk about Hell but not talking about something does not make it go away. Many of us do not like to think in terms of divine judgment. But we have to think of the alternative. What kind of world would it be if our actions have no lasting consequences? If you allow that life does not end with death – that life is eternal – can you make sense out of a Universe in which everyone receives the same reward irrespective of their lives here? Can God be just and reward Billy Graham and Adolf Hitler just the same? No, of course not!
In the Bible, Jesus spoke more about Hell than anyone else did. He referred to hell as a real place (Matt. 10:28; 13:40–42; Mk. 9:43–48). He described it in graphic terms: a fire that burns but doesn’t consume, an undying worm that eats away at the damned, and a lonely, foreboding darkness. But the world offers alternative explanations to counter the existence of a literal biblical Hell.
1. Christian Universalism
This view advanced by Rob Bell in his book “Love Wins.” He says “the belief that, given enough time, everyone will turn to God and find themselves in the joy and peace of God’s presence. The love of God will melt every hard heart, and even the most ‘deprave sinners’ will eventually give up their resistance and turn to God.” [Rob Bell. Love Wins. San Francisco: Harper, 2011) p. 107]
According to Bell and others there are “second chances after death” There is only one problem with that belief, it runs against the clear teaching of the Bible.
The problem with this idea of a second chance is what the Bible says. The author of Hebrews writes, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was
offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)
When people proclaim a second change after we die it is irresponsible and unloving because it leads people astray and removes the sense of urgency which should be present when it come to escaping judgment.
John records that Jesus said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24) The urgency of Jesus’ appeal would be pointless if dying in one’s sins did not condemn one forever.
2. Annihilationism.
This view holds that the wicked will suffer for a period of time and then be annihilated. One of the most famous evangelical proponents – was Anglican preacher and author, John Stott. This is also the view of the Seventh Day Adventist sect. Those who argue for the wicked suffering for a while and then being annihilated point to use of the word “destruction” in verse nine. But destruction here does not mean the wicked will cease to exist. For if that were truly it would render the punishment of being away “from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power” meaningless. Leon Morris comments on the word “destruction” used here. “Destruction is not to be understood in the sense of annihilation but of complete ruin. It is the loss of all that makes life worth living…It is the exclusion from the presence of God …the real sting of sin is that it separates from fellowship with the Lord.” [Leon Morris. “The Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians.” (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981) p. 30]
Perhaps Paul gives us the closest thing possible to a description of Hell in the words of verse nine, “These shall be punished with ever-lasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
Paul tells us that
• Hell is eternal.
Jesus uses the same word “everlasting” to
refer to eternal life and eternal destruction. Punishment of the wicked and the life of the righteous will be of the same duration – everlasting.
• Hell is a conscious existence.
Rev 20:10 says that the Devil is thrown in the lake of fire and is “tormented day and night for-ever.” Suffering can be described as “torment” only if it is consciously experienced. Rev 20:15 says that those whose names are not found in the book of Life were also thrown into the lake of fire to receive conscious punishment from God forever.
Consider this – You should not bother claiming to be a Christian if you do not believe in Hell, because Jesus’ death would have been pointless if there was no Hell to rescue from!
The ultimate punishment is separation from the Lord’s presence and glory, and one choses in this life to be present with God or to be separated from Him. C. S. Lewis, suggested that one who had chosen to be separated from Christ in this life is simply given the freedom to continue in that choice. In that sense, heaven or hell begins in this life. In death our choices are sealed.
The Promise of Repayment and….
Third, The Promise of Rest. (1:7, 10)
“7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, … 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”
This final rest or relief will come “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels” (v. 7). The word “revealed” (apokalysis) is the same word used as the title of the last book of the Bible, Revelation. The word means “unveiling.” This refers to the Second Coming of Christ, a subject found in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians. Jesus on words on the subject were, “Immediately after the distress of those days
…all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and get glory.” (Matt. 24:29-30)
The positive side of God’s judgement is revealed in verse seven and explained further in verse ten is directed “to those who believe.” While the coming of Christ will blessings to believers it will be a time of judgment upon those who have been enemies of the Gospel.
Conclusion
In verse ten it is revealed that whether a person is judged to suffer eternal destruction or can look forward to eternal glory hinges on the word “believed” (v. 10). To “believe” means to entrust your eternal destiny to Jesus’ death as the payment for your sins. It means to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord. But we know that this is not just intellectual assent with no repentance.
“Balancing the Books!”
2 Thess. 1:5-12
First, The Promise of Rewards. (1:5)
This verse does not suggest that their suffering earned them the right to go to Heaven because we know that they were saved through faith in Christ (1 Thess. 1, Eph 2:8-10)
Second, The Promise of Repayment. (1:6, 8-10)
The two irrefutable witnesses to the existence of God Romans 1:18-20.
The witness of Conscience - “are manifest in them” (v. 19) and the witness of Creation (v. 20) (Psalms 8:3, 19:1).
Doctrines counter to the existence of a biblical Hell.
1. Christian Universalism.
This view there are “second chances after death” (Hebrews 9:27-28, John 8:24)
2. Annihilationism.
This view holds that the wicked suffering for a while and then being their existence just ends.
Paul teaches that
Hell is eternal
Hell is conscious punishment (Rev. 20:10, 15)
Third, The Promise of Rest. (1:7, 10)
“Balancing the Books!”
2 Thess. 1:5-12
First, The Promise of __________. (1:5)
This verse does not suggest that their suffering earned them the right to go to Heaven because we know that they were saved through faith in Christ (1 Thess. 1, Eph 2:8-10)
Second, The Promise of _____________. (1:6, 8-10)
The two irrefutable witnesses to the existence of God Romans 1:18-20.
The witness of __________ “are manifest in them” (v. 19) The witness of __________. (v. 20) (Psalms 8:3, 19:1).
Doctrines counter to the existence of a biblical Hell.
1. Christian _____________.
This view there are “_______ chances after death” (Hebrews 9:27-28, John 8:24)
2. Annihilationism.
This view holds that the wicked suffering for a while and then being their ___________ just ends.
Paul teaches that
Hell is _________.
Hell is __________ punishment (Rev. 20:10, 15)
Third, The Promise of __________. (1:7, 10)
