2 Thessalonians 1 - A Life Worthy of Our Call

        The Church has come a long way since AD 52.  Yet nothing is new under the sun.  At the time Paul wrote this second letter to the early church, there was intense persecution of Christians by the secular Roman government and by the Jews.  Emperor Nero of Rome could not have been more wicked, and lawless.  He killed his own family members (for instance (as told by Tertullian) he had his mom assassinated) and even kicked his pregnant wife to death.  A real gem.

        Nero’s best forgotten, but to the degree he is remembered, it is for the cruel tyrant that he was.  Nero thought himself greater than God and he took joy in torturing and murdering followers of Jesus.  Eusebius tells us that both the Apostles Peter and Paul were martyred during the reign of Nero.  Nero was an enemy of Christians and as such an enemy of Christ (and vice versa).

        At that time false teachers abounded.  They claimed that the day of the Lord had already begun (2:2).  Paul was teaching the church to prepare for the long haul and to set proper priorities.  Thank God for that advice.  May we live by it today.  Paul led from the front lines.  He knew the risks of his work for Christ and he knew quite well the reward.  Within 16 years of this letter, Paul was beheaded in Rome.

        Following the example of Paul, Peter, and all of the early church, we should press on.  Our faith can flourish and our love for one another can grow amid persecutions and hardships.

        What happens here on earth is not the end of the story.  We have an opportunity to act justly as led by the Holy Spirit.  But God will ultimately bring His justice.  God will pay back those who persecute Christians and those who do all sorts of evil including the false teachers.

        When Jesus returns he will:

• Provide rest for the persecuted and for all of his children.
• Come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who (a) those who don’t know God, and (b) those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.

        We hear in this passage that the wicked will be punished by God with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.

        So yes, there is a day when Jesus will return.  It is the judgment day.  A final day.  Not a day to be followed by seven years of torture and tribulation.  It is the day of the final judgment of every person.  And on that day God’s Son, Jesus Christ will receive glory from His holy people.  And this includes every person who believes and trusts in Christ our King.

        Now, as Paul repeatedly says to the Thessalonians, may we live a life worthy of God’s call.  With God's help, let’s flourish in the circumstances that God has placed us.  And as we plan for the new year before us, God willing, may our love for one another grow.  May we accomplish all the good things the Holy Spirit prompts us to do.  

        Thank you, Lord God, that you are faithful.  Thank you for the Apostles, and for all the faithful saints over all generations.  Amen.

 

Brammer, ready for take off.