Persevering Through Persecutions

II Thessalonians 1:1-12

The New Testament reading for this week from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer brings us to the second letter or epistle that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica.  Thessalonica was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. A major highway, starting in Rome and going well into Asia, passed through the city. Thessalonica also had a thriving seaport.  It was one of the wealthiest and flourishing trade centers in the Roman Empire. The Apostle Paul, along with his co-workers in the ministry, Silas and Timothy, had established the church in Thessalonica on their second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-10).  Paul had to quickly flee for his life because of persecution by the Jews in the city.

Paul begins his letter, as he did most of his epistles, with thanking God for these believers (vs. 3).  He thanked God for the Thessalonians spiritual growth, and then proceeds to urge them to persevere through the persecutions they were experiencing, the same ones that had caused him to flee and more, and to wait patiently for Jesus’ return.   The Thessalonians were experiencing increased persecution because of their faith. Instead of that weakening their faith, the believers there remained strong and unified, their faith, love, and patience growing.

Some believers, both back in the days of the early church and today, falter when persecution comes.  They cannot bear up under it, and their faith weakens. They question God, even growing angry and turning their back on Him. In our passage today from God’s Word, Paul instructed the Thessalonians and us today, to go through persecutions with perseverance and faith (vs. 4).  God is fair and just. He will not forget us. In His perfect timing He will relieve our suffering, and punish those who persecute us (vs. 6-10).

The Thessalonian church wondered why God allowed this persecution.  Contrary to what some people teach, troubles and persecutions are not necessarily the result of sin or lack of faith (vs. 5).  They may be a part of God’s plan for the believer. They help us to look up to God, and build strong character. They may be an indication that we are taking a stand for Jesus.  We can gain relief during suffering, knowing we are being strengthened, and also knowing that everyone will one day stand before God. At that time, all wrongs will be righted, and judgment pronounced (vs. 6-7).  God will vindicate us in due time. Until then, we, like the Thessalonians, await Jesus’ return.

The Thessalonians were not self-centered believers.  Their focus was not on personal comfort, fulfillment, or happiness.  Instead, it was on God’s glory and doing His will. Afflictions are to be expected if we are following God’s Word.  It doesn’t mean God has forsaken us, but it shows He is with us, perfecting us. God will repay those who persecute believers.  We need to remember, though, that vindication and retribution are to be done by God, not by us. If it doesn’t happen in this lifetime, God promises that it will happen when He returns.

There are some false teachers that say when unbelievers die, they just cease to exist.  That is not so, according to the Scriptures, as we see in verse 9. Believers will be in heaven with God.  Unbelievers are in everlasting destruction, according to Paul here. The Book of Revelation describes an eternal lake of fire that is never extinguished (Revelation 20:15; 21:8).  With that in mind, we need to be spreading the news of salvation through God’s Son, Jesus Christ, so that our loved ones, friends, and neighbors will not face that for eternity.

With the day of Jesus’ return drawing closer and closer, persecutions will increase.  As the Thessalonians experienced, we cannot handle life’s struggles by ourselves. We need to lean on God for guidance, strength, and wisdom.  One day we will be with Jesus in heaven. In the meantime, we need to turn to Him for help and support.