In 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1, Paul, Timothy, and Silas write a letter to the church in a Thessalonica.
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Giving Thanks to the Lord
Paul, Timothy, and Silas offered their thanks to God for the people in Thessalonica and they mentioned how grateful they were that faith in God was growing immensely in the land. The love God shows to his followers was among the reasons why faith in Him was spreading.
The men also said that they appreciated the perseverance and faith shown by the followers since it continued to exist even though the Christian faith was suffering from persecution.
Talking about God’s Judgment
In 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1, the men stated that they knew the judgment of God was good. They said that all those who remained true to the Lord would be with Him in His kingdom. They may suffer greatly in life during the present time, but they would be rewarded in the afterlife. Those who caused the believers harm would eventually feel the wrath of the Lord.
The letter goes on to say that God’s judgment will occur when Jesus Christ returns to the earth with His army of angels. Those who had rejected God will be punished at this time. Anyone that has been a loyal follower of Christ and the Lord will be glorified in His presence during the Second Coming. Paul, Timothy, and Silas made a direct appeal to those in the church by saying they would be among those whom God will reward.
Reflection on Prayer
The three men stated that they would always pray for their followers so they would remain worthy of the Lord. They also wanted to be sure they helped them remain on the path to righteousness. This way, every deed they committed would be one that was rooted in their strong faith. The result of this would be that the name and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ would always be found in His loyal followers.
2 Thessalonians 1 (King James Version)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.