GOD WILL REPAY THOSE WHO TROUBLE BELIEVERS

PROCLAMATION

“God is just; He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”  2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, in his second letter to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  After he introduces himself and greets them, Paul states that he thanks God for them because their faith in God and because their love for one another is growing and increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-3)  He tells them that he brags to other churches about their perseverance and faith in the midst of their persecutions and trials. (2 Thessalonians 1:4)  Then he tells them that God is just, and that He will pay back trouble to all those who trouble them.  God will punish all non-believers when The Lord Jesus returns. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)  He ends this first chapter by telling them that he prays for them. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

 

APPLICATION

Those who do believers wrong and cause them to suffer will be punished by The Lord God.  He said, “… Vengeance is mine; I well repay …” (Romans 12:19)  The Lord Jesus is coming back to gather up His church (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) and to judge the wicked.  All mankind will see Him when He returns (Revelation 1:7) but our perspectives will differ.  Every knee shall bow to Him (Isaiah 45:23 and Romans 14:11) but for different reasons.  Some of the people will see Him as Savior, while others will see Him as judge.  How we see Him will depend upon our relationship with him.