Introduction:

This letter was written just time after First Thessalonians, to correct some false teaching that had come to the church relative to the coming of Christ. The church was going through terrible persecution (1:4-7), and some of the believers thought they were already in the Day of the Lord, the awful time of tribulation promised in the Old Testament. Paul writes to explain God's program for the age, and to encourage these suffering Christians to remain true to the Lord. He points out three purposes behind their suffering.

I. Suffering promotes growth (1:1-4)

These Christians had a reputation for faith, hope, and love (I Thess. 1:3); but difficult experiences were causing their faith, hope and love to grow.

Furthermore, their testimony was growing as well; for all the churches heard about them and their stand for the Lord. Paul was able to glory in them, in all the churches. Their steadfast endurance was an encouragement to other believers.

They were also growing in patience (vs. 4); "Tribulation worketh patience," states (Rom. 5:3).

When suffering comes to the believer, it will either make him or break him. If the believer accepts the suffering in Christ, yields to God's will, and by faith continues to stand true, then suffering will cause him to grow. If he resists the suffering, complains against God, and gives up in unbelief, then the suffering will break him and ruin his testimony. (See I Peter 4:12-19)

II. Suffering prepares us for the future (1:5-10)

(vs. 5) Paul continues (as in other epistles) to associate suffering with a future kingdom over which Jesus Christ will reign. Reward in that kingdom will depend largely upon suffering here and now (2 Tim. 2:12; Rom. 8:17,18; Luke 19:12-27; 2 Cor. 4:16-18).

(vs. 6) - God is preparing judgment for the wicked, and knowing this we can rest in confidence. God will "recompense" judgment; that is, He will mete out the wicked in the same measure and kind that they meter out to Christians. Pharaoh drowned the babies of Israel, and God drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. Judas betrayed Jesus to be hanged on a tree, and Judas went out and hanged himself! Saul tried to slay David with a sword, and was slain with a sword himself. Men reap what they sow'

(vs. 7-10) - The discussion in these verses concern the Second Coming (some times called the 2nd Advent of Christ). Do not confuse this with the rapture of (I Thess. 4). The order of events is: 1) the secret return of Christ in the air for the church (I Thess. 4:13-18; 2) The Day of the Lord (initiated by the Tribulation) begins on the earth (I Thess. 5:1,2; 3) The rise of the anti-christ (2 Thess. 2:3; 4) The sudden return of Christ to the earth with the church (2 Thess. 1:7-10; 5) judgment on living sinners and the binding of Satan for 1000 yrs. (Rev. 20). When Christ comes to earth with His Church, He will judge the wicked who will then be living on earth. They will suffer eternal hell for two reasons: they would not come to know God (willful ignorance, Rom. 1:18-32), and they would not obey God (Rom. 10:16). God commands men to repent (Acts 17:30); rejecting Christ is disobedience. Of course, the world will not be ready for Christ's sudden return in judgment (Rev. 19:11-21) and it will catch men unawares. God can't trust everybody with suffering!

 

III. Suffering glorifies Christ today (1:11-12)

A thing really isn't worth a great deal until it has been proven and tested. How much confidence would you have in buying an automobile if you knew a prototype had never been tested. Testing builds the confidence of the public. The world observes how we respond to suffering. The way you respond determines whether Christ is being glorified or not. What should the Christian do who is in the will of God and yet going through terrible testing and trial? He should:

[1]. Thank God for his salvation and for the fact that God is with him (Eph. 1:13).
[2]. Surrender to the will of God without complaining (2 Cor. 12:10; Phil. 4:11).
[3]. Ask God to give him wisdom to understand His will (James 1:5; 4)
[4]. Look for opportunities to witness and glorify God in the situation (2 Cor. 11:23-33; 5).
[5]. Wait patiently until God's purpose has been fulfilled and he is "lifted up" again (Phil. 1:6). Of course, if a Christian is out of the will of God and trouble comes (and it will!), let him accept it as the chastening hand of God, submit to God, and make things right.

 

Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to Burma, endured untold hardships trying to reach the lost for Christ. For 7 heartbreaking years he suffered hunger and privation. During this time he was thrown into Ava Prison, and for 17 months was subjected to almost incredible mistreatment. As a result, for the rest of his life he carried the ugly marks made by the chains and iron shackles which had cruelly bound him. Undaunted, upon his release he asked for permission to enter another province where he might resume preaching the Gospel. The godless ruler indignantly denied his request, saying, "My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might SAY, but I fear they might be impressed by your SCARS and turn to your religion."