Enduring in Light of the End

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Main Idea: We faithfully endure by patiently awaiting the return of the Savior and Judge.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-2 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Thanksgiving (verses 3-4)

1 Th 5:16–18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Mt 13:20–21 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
2 Th 1:5 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.
Ac 5:41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
2 Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

2. Judgement (verses 6-10)

2 Th 1:6–9 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 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 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. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.
Jn 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Col 1:15–16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Jn 3:17–19 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

A. Justice for the Persecuted (6-7)

“The character of God is the guarantee that all wrongs will be righted someday; when the ‘day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed’ (Rom 2:5) arrives, retribution will be exact, and no problems of cosmic unfairness will remain to haunt us. God is the Judge, so justice will be done”.
- J.I. Packer

B. Vengeance for the Persecutors (7b-10)

2 Th 1:7–9 when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 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. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

3. Vindication (verses 10-12)

2 Th 1:10–12 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. 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, 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.
Revelation 4:8. “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”