Footsteps #106

In 2Thess.1:5-6 “And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. ⁶ In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.” NLT Paul reminds the persecuted Thessalonians that the “righteous judgment of God” in the future will demonstrate His approval of them in the present. In this way Christian suffering can be the basis for rejoicing. It is real-life evidence of whose side we will be on when Jesus comes. It reminds me of the story of a deaf man who was asked why he continued to come to church when he couldn’t hear anything, to which he replied, “I want to show the devil whose side I am on.”

V5 shows the righteous judgment of God in His approval of the Thessalonians. V6 shows it in the condemnation and destruction of their persecutors. In both cases the judgment is the end-time outcome of present conduct.

Many people are uncomfortable with the language of vs7-9. They feel that “pay back” (NLT), vengeance, punishment, and the infliction of suffering are unworthy of a God of love, grace, and mercy. Like many Psalms, fair punishment and retribution is a frequent theme of Paul (Rom. 2:5, 12:19). Paul is unequivocal: God’s justice will one day be powerfully made manifest.

Please notice the phrase “eternal destruction” In v9. All versions translate it this way. The Bible NEVER uses the verb (punishing) in association with the judgment of God. It is a noun  – eternal punishment – an event from which there is no return. ‘Destruction’ is pretty final! Even Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John3:16) ‘Perish’ is analogous with ‘destruction.’

Any good government in today’s world must at some point exercise force in order to restrain evil. Though force is not always violent (as when you are stopped for a traffic violation or audited for your taxes), in some cases, especially when the criminals are using violence themselves, they must be answered with violence. Good governments provide a necessary restraint so that we can all live together in peace

The images in this passage are not pretty, but they assure us that God will do whatever it takes to end violence and oppression – forever!