2 Thessalonians 1:1-7 2 Thessalonians 1:7. “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.” CONSOLATION TO THE CONCERNED It is common for two people who listen to the same message or hear the same letter read to get a different opinion of what has been said. From our own perspective in life, we may think something very different has been taught than the person next to us thinks. We often have our own preconceived notions about a matter and listen for someone else to say what we think supports our position. Confusion needs to be clarified, especially when some create problems by pushing their own agenda. In Thessalonica, some were "troubling" the Lord's people in the assembly. They may have forged a letter, and the message was that they were in the Tribulation. This was causing the saints to lose their hope.
Someone has well said that the second epistles are for the last days. Their writing is to correct either false assumptions or false teaching. In this epistle, there is no question as to the authority of those who wrote it. These were the same men who had brought the Gospel to the Thessalonians in the first place, and Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. There would be nothing misleading from him. The disorder that had arisen because of their wrong understanding of the Lord's coming had to be corrected. Those who work in fellowship with the Lord have a genuine concern for the called-out group of believers to whom they preached the Gospel. This epistle is firmer and corrective in tone because the idleness was still there and perhaps increasing. A firmer discipline was needed in that regard because the believers who gather unto our Lord Jesus Christ and meet by His authority are in His gathering center, under His auspices. It is His place where we are "in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
In general, this epistle was to teach them about the coming of the Lord with His people after the coming of the Lord for His people. Before this happens, there will be a great falling away from the faith, and the Lord will have taken His people home. The man of sin, the antichrist, will have become a public figure, and his opposition to the Lord will be obvious. The years of Tribulation will have reaped the rewards of iniquity, and the Lord will come with His people. Proof that they were not in the Tribulation, as the false teachers said, is that they were still here. Believers are not looking for wrath. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." We are looking forward to rest, not the wrath of God unleashed on His own children. Heaven is our future, not further punishment here on earth. Christ endured that for us. Glory is in the future for the people of God.
Paul is the writer of the epistle, but one can speak for others when there is conscious fellowship and unity among us. Our standing in God is a comfort when there is persecution for the sake of the word of God. We worship God and have close communion with the Father when worship is in spirit and truth. In this position, we owe our allegiance to the Lord to whom we are responsible as servants. Redemption by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for us has cleansed us from all sin. We give honor to the Christ of God, who has fulfilled the work for which He was sent. Grace and peace are the cause and effect of the love of God for His people. The greetings of the Lord's people to each other have the sanction of God behind them.
It is an obligation we have to give thanks to God for all the good we see in our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we see signs of growth and evidence of love between the saints, we need to tell them what we appreciate in them and affirm what they have been doing, so they will be encouraged to continue. Some things have to be communicated to our fellow believers, as well as being a cause for thanksgiving to God. Believers in other assemblies who are enduring persecution or carry heavy burdens can be strengthened when they know we are aware of what is happening. We can pass on what we have learned under pressure, opposition, and hard times.
Actually, the teaching of the coming of the Lord inspires the Lord's people to godly living, even though others around think the purity of person and holiness of living is out of date in today's world. When we think of His coming, we are motivated to grow in grace and mature in our faith. Love for the saints is stirred when we think of us all gathering, first to Him and then of us all coming with Him when He appears in His glory. Suffering and patience that come because of our testimony are easier to endure when we think of His coming. When the people of God in an assembly are in serious difficulties, God knows that and reckons those sufferings are to be expected and counts them as worthy in the kingdom of God.
There will be trouble when we live for God in this world where most people do not live for Him. During those times, we must look up to God, not inward at ourselves or around us, and be taken up with all the bad things happening. Our character is built up when we experience trouble and have our faith strengthened through His word. We are able to be a comfort to others who may be going through similar times or soon will be. The testimony of faith in Christ is demonstrated by how we accept and go through the fires of testing. This evidence is a plain token of proof of God's grace. The righteous judgment of God has a reason behind it that we may not know at the time.
God is a just God, and true justice requires punishment for sin. It is a righteous act of God to deal with the causes of persecution, whether by people or even governments. God will recompense with a fair decision that will afflict those who persecute others without a reason. At the appearing of the Lord, wrongs will be made right, and divine vengeance will pass on those who opposed the Lord's people. God will give the needed relief Himself. It may not happen now, but righteous recompense will be made in God's time. The righteous conduct of believers enables us to rest when normally we would be troubled. That conduct demonstrates the reason there will be righteous judgment. Paul and those with him were also enduring persecution, but they were resting on God's promises.
This rest they had was not only because the rapture was coming in the future. They could have rested now because of the confidence that they will be gathered to the Lord in glory at His appearing. We have foretastes of that glory now when we gather unto Him alone. The suffering of God's people will finally end when the Lord comes with many angels, not just the one archangel who attends Him at the rapture. The effect of this appearance will silence all speculation regarding who the Lord Jesus Christ is. The armies of men, the opposition, and the difficulties that have challenged God's people from day to day will be over.
The whole world will visibly see the Lord Jesus Christ in the flaming glory of our God, who is a consuming fire. He will not be controlled or defeated in any way by men. We cannot force Him to do anything. He cannot be contained. He is the Almighty Sovereign, glorious in His majesty. In His grace and mercy, He has saved us and is "able to save to the uttermost all who will come to God by Him." In righteousness, His holy fire will expose all that is evil for what it is, and every wrong will be made right. Judgment will be just, and the open sin that is so prevalent today will be stopped completely, dealt with, and terminated.
THE REVELATION. The war is on; armies are gathered, and fear permeates the whole world. People are fleeing, running for their lives to hide from the terror. Devastation has left its terrible print everywhere. Nature has been loudly groaning; Governments have failed. Deception.
The basics of life are fading fast, and the earth is brown and dark and scary. There is no peace, no place to hide, no respite from the fear. Mankind has tried its way and failed miserably. People are without light and hope. Darkness has descended. Fear.
Surviving believers have fled and are in hiding from the devouring hatred. Armies without conscience-guided men are marching to war. The basics of life are hard to find as the hordes march. People who believe are trying to endure to the end. Perdition’s son is determined to defeat all. Survival.
There is stirring in heaven as angels rise to ready themselves for the appearing. On earth, the saints look upward with staring, hopeful eyes. God’s earthly chosen; look around in despair of life.
Marching feet, moving machines, military might: All moving toward Meggido, hoping to win. Anxiety.
The Seated One rises to take His place as the Head of the white-mounted army. The Lamb’s controlled anger is being set in an orderly fashion against evil. The Lord of Hosts takes His place at the head of the great host. The Mighty Conqueror comes forth through heaven’s gate. The Captain of the Lord’s host makes Himself known. The Sign.
All across the skies, in the sight of all men, comes the Lord’s host: Surrounding the earth so that every eye can see Him. The Earth’s armies stop and prepare for war. Not with each other – united – against Him. Earth’s god fears the “I AM.” The Appearing.
Knees are bowing; feet are running; men are hiding in rocks and caves and dens. Finally – a righteous war to end all wars: The Faithful and True. Finally, the end is in sight of united evil: The Word of God. Finally, the arrogance and pride are brought low: King of kings. Finally, those who endure can breathe free: Lord of lords. He is here.
“O Almighty God, who has the calendar of events all under divine scrutiny. I thank Thee for the knowledge that He, whose garments are dipped in blood, will bring an end to all the uncertainty and the increasing darkness of these days. It has all