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5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

 

In these verses, Paul is writing to the church of the Thessalonians. The preceding verses “boast about their perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials they are enduring.” He says their “faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”

Today’s verses explain that the suffering of believers is not a sign of God's displeasure, but is evidence that God is a just judge. The suffering is not a sign of being forgotten, but rather a part of God's process to make them worthy of the Kingdom of God.

The passage assures the persecuted Thessalonians that God will repay with affliction those who are afflicting them, while granting relief to the suffering. This is not about God's vindictiveness but about His justice being served in the end.

God will grant relief to the Thessalonians and to Paul and the other apostles who are also suffering. This relief will be given when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven.

It culminates with the promise of Jesus's return from heaven with mighty angels to inflict vengeance on those who don't know God or obey the gospel. It says that “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” Sounds like a powerful argument to be faithful to our merciful and gracious God!

Dear Lord, help me to know that just because I might be challenged by afflictions today, that my faith in You will bring me to eternal life next to You.

Donna DeMauro

donna@demaurostl.com

 

Prayer Concern: Those who don't know God or obey the gospel.