II Thessalonians 1 "The Obtaining of Rest and Glory" This Bible Study is written by Roger
Christopherson, and made available with written
permission by http://www.theseason.org Remember that the primary message of both I and II Thessalonians is our gathering back to Christ, or as Paul puts it, Christ returning to us. The second letter from Paul to the Thessalonians was written very shortly following the first letter. We see this in the fact that Silas and Timothy were still in Corinth at the letters arrival. There was a lot of persecution in the Thessalonians church, yet it grew. Paul had a taste of that persecution in his beatings and jailing when he was there. The reason for sending this letter was to correct the misunderstanding brought about when his first letter come into the hands of false teachers who had come into the church. That confusion was concerning the time and events preceding the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. II Thessalonians 1:1 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:" II Thessalonians 1:2 "Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul sends this peace to them because it is only in the Lord Jesus Christ that anyone can find peace. II Thessalonians 1:3 "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;" Paul was pleased that after only thirty days of his teaching in this area, and under severe persecution; yet the church grew, as did their love for one another. That seed took hold and brought in many more converts then when Paul visited. Adversity strengthens a group of Christians, and bonds it closer in love, while getting out the word of God. II Thessalonians 1:4 "So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:" Through all the tribulations, these Christians grew in their faith, and patience. II Thessalonians 1:5 "Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:" The Thessalonians were suffering, but they didn't let their problems stop them. Today it becomes a burden to give God one hour a week in the study of God's Word to many Christians, and then that hour has to be filled with entertainment. The faith most Christians reach, lasts only to the first adversity, then it wilts. The victory we have over adversity can only come in the name of Jesus Christ. God wants people committed to Him, in these end days. II Thessalonians 1:6 "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;" Don't read over this! When someone touches one of God's elect, God takes it as a personal insult. This is why He said in Romans 12:19, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." God will take care of your adversary in His way and time. II 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," Rest in your faith: The time will come when Jesus and His angels will take care of all matters. II Thessalonians 1:8 "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:" This fits right into the subject of this book, the return of Jesus Christ to us. God considers it righteousness that when you are working in the way of God's kingdom, Whether planting seeds, or in your daily life; if they [the Godless] trouble you, as they did the Thessalonians, God considers it righteousness to defend yourself from them. And that is exactly what Jesus Christ and his mighty angels will do. Jesus Christ will return and make an end to all evil. Our worries are His. II Thessalonians 1:9 "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" At Jesus Christ's return Satan will go to the pit. The false shepherds, Kenites, and fallen angels will be placed in a location of holding for final judgment. II Thessalonians 1:10 "When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired [marveled at] in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." Jesus Christ's saints are His "set aside" ones. The condition of belonging to Christ, and being His "saint", is that you believe on Him in Repentance. The "day of the Lord" shall come, however these Thessalonians have gotten a little premature in waiting for the "Lord's day", and this is why Paul is urged to write this letter [epistle] to them. II Thessalonians 1:11 "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this [your] calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:" "The work of faith with power:" You don't have to be around a person very long before you know if ones faith has power. It is through that faith, and belief that brings God's power. Work is connected to your faith, and it is your works that will draw others to you. II Thessalonians 1:12 "That the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul is giving the Thessalonians a pep-talk to boost their spirits, and remind them that as they glorify and increase in knowledge of Christ; He will increase in their lives. God is the same in all ages; He is just as concerned for the Thessalonians as He is for you and I today. His grace is extended to us especially in tough times.
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