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?
The one thing that the Pre-millennialist, the Amillennialist and the Post-millennialist do agree on is that the Lord is coming back some day!! Regardless of your belief concerning the timeline of events... it is essential that you are ready for the return of the Lord. Personally, I would rather know that you know Jesus, than to know your opinion on when He will return.
Adrian Rogers used to say "When it comes to the return of Christ, I am on the welcoming committee... not the planning committee!"
Regardless of when Jesus is coming back, the question is "will you be ready when He does?" We may not know all of the details....We may debate the timeframe... But there is no denying the fact that Jesus is coming back! We know that He is coming back because He told us that He was. John 14:3 ...if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
When He ascended the Apostles stood there gazing into the clouds as He went out of sight. And there were 2 Angels there that reiterated Jesus’ promise that He would return someday. They said: Acts 1:11...Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Here in II Thessalonians Paul describes what will occur when Christ returns to the Earth. He will be “revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. (v7-9)
Since the writing of his first letter to them, the members of this church had continued to grow in faith and love. They were patient, faithful, steadfast and generous. They had endured much trouble and persecution. Paul said that they were "examples" to the other churches. It seems that even though some time had passed, they were still setting that example of faithfulness and endurance. In verses 5 & 6 Paul tells the Thessalonians that God sees their persecution and when He returns He will punish those who persecute them. This information should have encouraged and comforted these Christians.
- It should bring us comfort as well. Notice that:
II. THERE IS COMFORT IN OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS
Verse 7 tells us that the Thessalonian believers were "troubled". This word means to "suffer affliction or tribulation." In the context of the Thessalonian believers it speaks of "persecution". Throughout history God's people have faced great trouble. In the 2,000 years of church history the saints have suffered persecution. We are seeing a great increase in Christian persecution in our day. And the bible makes it clear that this will continue to increase. But one day there will be peace for the Children of God! Even now we can experience peace in the midst of tribulation and persecution. This peace comes from Jesus Christ. He said in John 16:33 these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
We can possess peace even in a world that is filled with trouble. There are many examples in the Bible of people who possessed peace in times of great difficulty. Noah had peace when the rain started to fall, Daniel had peace in a den of lions, The 3 Hebrew Children had peace in a fiery furnace, Elijah had peace beside a babbling brook, David had peace when his enemies pursued Him. Stephen even had peace while being martyred for the cause of Christ. As he died he said "I see Jesus standing at the Father's right hand" (Acts 7)
Peter was chained to a soldier and facing a death sentence. But even in prison he was able to rest in the fact that God was in control (Acts 12). Paul & Silas faced persecution but they had great peace. They sang praises in a Philippian jail (Acts 16). John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos for his faith in Christ And while there he was used to pen the great Revelation of Jesus (Revelation 1:9). There are numerous other examples of people of God who faced tribulation and persecution but still possessed peace.
The people of Thessalonica we able to possess peace in the midst of their persecution. And there are countless souls who are facing persecution all over the world as we speak. No matter how intense their troubles may be...they have peace in Christ! If you ever find yourself suffering for the cause of Christ, you can have peace as well. True peace comes through Jesus Christ. If you are willing to suffer for Him, He can and will bring peace to your life! Remember what He said in - Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Paul says for those in Thessalonica to "Rest with us" . In the original language that phrase speaks of "release" or "relaxation". Paul is literally telling them to "relax and wait for the return of the Lord." When Jesus returns, He will judge those who persecute His Bride! It is estimated that 100 million Christians in over 60 countries are being persecuted for their faith. Millions of Christians around the world live in constant danger simply because of their faith in Christ. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but things are going to get worse. But I also have good news, peace and comfort is available for those who have a personal relationship with Jesus.
The Lord says “vengeance is mine, I will repay” . We will see this come to fruition when Jesus returns. For those who have caused so much trouble for the church will be judged when He comes back. No matter what kind of opposition or persecution we face, we can have comfort because of our personal relationship with Jesus.
- There is one more fact about Jesus that will bring us comfort in troublesome times. Notice that:
III. There Is Comfort In The Powerful Reign Of Jesus
At the Second Coming Jesus will set up His 1,000 year millennial reign. John tells us about this in -Revelation 20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished.
This will be a time that could be described as Heaven on Earth! It will be a time of peace, joy, love, protection, holiness and righteousness. The King of Kings & Lord of Lords will rule and reign over all the Earth. The Bible says that after this 1,000 years Satan must be released for a season; (Revelation 20:7) When this occurs there will be one final battle.This battle culminates with one of the greatest events in the history of the world Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Satan is our great adversary. He has caused problems for the people of God from the beginning. He is extremely powerful and the ultimate source of Christian opposition and persecution. But he is no match for our all powerful Savior. In fact, he is already a defeated foe!
We who have a personal relationship with Jesus should be looking forward to His promised return. And we have the assurance that when He returns He will rule and reign forever! These truths should bring us comfort, even in the midst of great trouble. The question I have for you is this… “Do you possess peace in this world of trouble?” If you belong to Jesus you should!
Jesus said to His followers in - John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
This is a great promise for those who are “in Christ”. But if you do not belong to Jesus you have never experienced true peace. I have good news for you today… you have the opportunity to experience that peace. If you will surrender to Jesus Christ, if you will repent and believe in Him, you can be saved. You can be forgiven of your sins, delivered from Hell and granted eternal life if you will trust in Him. And these things bring peace in the midst of the greatest tribulation. All who trust in Christ can be comforted.
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
I love the Bible, for in it we find instruction and encouragement. And in portions like we have examined today we find “A Word Of Comfort For The People Of God”.
