The second letter to the Thessalonians was sent a short time after the first. Paul was likely responding...either to questions or to observations made by the messenger(s) who delivered the first letter. He addresses some specific matters of false teaching in the letter and some instruction on church discipline.
Chapter 1 begins with a typical greeting. 2 Thess 1:1 identifies Paul as author along with Silvanus and Timothy. Paul begins by giving thanks for the church's growth (as he had prayed in the last letter) (2 Thess 1:3). Now that Paul knows specifically of some of what is going on in the church, He is "proud" of their growth and progress (2 Thess 1:4). This growth is occurring in spite of the persecution they are enduring.
The persecution they face is not/should not be a surprise to them. God is acting justly toward them. (Note: sometimes we all feel that we are suffering unjustly as Christians...as though God is "doing us wrong.") The suffering they were enduring was due to the kingdom (rule/reign) of God. They were "counted worthy" of enduring the suffering by God who was in control...and God would reward them with relief (2 Thess 1:7) and reward their persecutors with judgment (2 Thess 1:6).
I know that most of us will not line up to be "counted worthy" of suffering. No one seeks out suffering (I hope). However...think of it in this way: There was a great need in the Kingdom and God chose this group of believers because He knew of their faith and faithfulness. He had confidence in them and therefore...they were counted worthy of God's approval as His instruments in this matter. (See also Acts 5:40-42).
When will God act to judge the unrighteous and relieve the righteous? At the Day of the Lord. We are not promised plush living on this earth. God never guaranteed health, wealth, and prosperity here. He promised a hope in the Day to come. We are not to cling too tightly to the things of this earth...or to covet the things that people of this world desire. We have a greater hope that awaits if we are true to the God who saves.
2 Thess 1:9 is one of the best description of hell that I know of. It is a place of ongoing (eternal) destruction. What makes it hell is not the physical suffering (which is there), but the fact that it is a place separated from the presence and power of God. Life without God is "hell." Even if one thinks they are prosperous, accomplished, living the good life...without God...it is always less than what life could be for them. Some though...would exchange the potential life WITH God for the comforts of a temporal life which they can control for a few decades..and then vanishes for eternity.
2 Thess 1:11-12 is Paul's prayer for God's continued work and faithfulness in the lives of the church. Again...not a prayer for their deliverance from persecution. It was a prayer for God's faithfulness to continue (in the midst of persecution).
Proverbs 14:15 is the takeaway today. We are called to be discerning. We are not called to ignore information...nor believe all claims wholesale; rather, we are called to consider everything and act righteously in light of it. Whether it is considering the pastor's sermon (which ought to be examined against the Scripture, and then accepted-or rejected if unbiblical), or in hearing the claims of philosophers who would offer insights into things this world considers true. Be discerning. As someone's grandfather used to say..."look before you leap."
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