Thessalonians #6 Expectation of Persecution 2Thessalonians 1:1-12.

Thessalonians #6Thessalonians #6

Expectation of Persecution

2Thessalonians 1:1-12

Thessalonians #6Thessalonians #6- - Expectation of PersecutionExpectation of Persecution

To properly understand 2Thessalonians…. One must first understand 1Thessalonians…. And to understand 1Thessalonians, one must

understand the situation.... So remember, the Church there was:

>very young,

>most if not all Gentile,

>begun in the midst of persecution

>necessarily left during infancy.


So, 1Thessalonians was written by Paul to:

-praise them for their faith & love after hereceived the good report from Timothy

-continue/complete their instructionconcerning proper sanctification (3:10)

-correct some misunderstandings that hadarisen concerning the Day of the Lord and its implications.

“Why then was 2Thessalonians written?”


2Thessalonians was primarily written:

-to express his joy to them over the goodnews given him of their continued faith& love, 1:3.

-to try again to correct and further instructthem concerning their erroneous viewsconcerning the coming of the Day ofthe Lord, 2:2.

-to correct the resultant behavior of their views about the Day of the Lord, 3:11.


Let’s look specifically at the text of 2Thessalonians 1:

vv.1-2 the Salutation:

-from Paul, Silas, & Timothy. Since they were well-known by the church, andthis epistle closely followed the first,anything further was unnecessary.

-Grace & Peace were very standardgreetings from Paul to those withwhom he was well acquainted.


vv.3-4 Thanksgiving & Pride

-Thanksgiving for the continued growth oftheir Faith & Love, cf.1Thess.1:3; 3:12.

-This was source of great pride for Paul- thatthey were doing so well, v.4. Theproud spiritual father can easily beseen.

-But also in v.4, we are reminded that theirgrowth had come in spite of persecution and affliction….


vv.5-7 Persecutions & Afflictions:

-are “plain indications of God’s righteous judgment”

>these are part of Christian testing,2Tim.3:12; and

>necessary preparations for fitness /worthiness of the blessings of thecoming kingdom.

They are therefore both indicators of acceptance and preparatory in nature.


vv.5-7 Persecutions & Afflictions:

-are also the basis of the division between andjudgment of the afflicted vs. the afflictors,v.6.

-This highlights the justice of God, Col.3:25;Heb.6:10.

-But the “relief” is promised only at the revelation of Jesus & His angels, cf. James 1:12 (7 times in Rev.2 - 3 blessingspromised to those who “overcome” !)


vv.8-9 Retribution:

-is promised by God to two groups:

>those who do not know God, cf. 1Thess.4:5 Gal.4:8; and

>those who do not obey the gospel,Rom.2:5-13; 1John 2:3.

-These are promised the penalty of:

>eternal destruction- not cessation of being;

>separation from Jesus & His power.


vv.10-12 On that Day:

-Jesus will be glorified in His saints and marveled at by those who believed, v.10.

-Paul prayed earnestly that the Thessaloniansworthy of that Day by the preparations ofgoodness, the work of faith, and power,v.11.

-So that, Jesus might be glorified in them, andthem in Him! v.12


Don’t miss these powerful lessons:

-Persecutions/Afflictions are a part of faithfulChristianity….

learn to be OK with that!

-Make no mistakes about it: Those who don’tknow and/or don’t obey God will be eternallypunished!

-But for those who do, the Day of the Lord willbe the ultimate glory!

Thessalonians #6 Expectation of Persecution 2Thessalonians 1:1-12.

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