Paul the
apostle knew the Thessalonian church members had “suffered”
“persecutions and tribulations” for their faith and trust in
Jesus Christ, and this was “proof” of their faith in Him. Paul
also told the Thessalonians God would “recompense tribulation”
to those who “troubled” them. In chapter one and verse
seven of this second letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul begins
to share how God will repay these evildoers where we read:
And to you
who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus
shall be
revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
The
verse begins, “And to you who are troubled rest with us,...”
Paul continued his thought with the words, “And to you”
which refers to the Thessalonian church members, “who are
troubled” or “pressed hard, compressed, straitened,
contracted, afflicted and distressed” “rest” which means
“loosen, relax or be at ease, liberty and relief” “with us”
which refers to Paul and his traveling companions. Paul desired to
assure the Thessalonians that even though they suffered, they could
“be at ease” that God had a plan of “recompense” and
He was going to work it out.
The
verse continues, “...when the Lord
Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,” Paul
went on to say, “when the Lord”
which means “he to whom a person or
thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding, master and the
title given to God the Messiah”
“Jesus”
whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and who is “the Son of
God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “shall
be revealed”
which is the Greek word “apokalypsis”
and
means
“laying bare, making naked, disclosing of truth and instruction,
manifestation and appearance” “from
heaven” or
“the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things
eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly
beings” “with his mighty”
which means “strong, powerful and fully able” “angels”
or “messengers from God”. Paul declared the Lord Jesus “with
his mighty angels” “shall appear”
and be “manifested” during this time when “repayment” for
injustices will be exercised
Though
we leave this verse in the middle of a thought from Paul and meditate
upon his words, we know he is about to predict great judgment upon
those who cause “persecutions and tribulations” against
those within the Thessalonian church. We can only imagine how ominous
it will be when Jesus returns to bring retribution upon those who
have persecuted and troubled His church members. Though it appears at
times the Lord is not watching and delays, we can be assured, He
shall “be revealed”, and when He is, His “mighty
angels” will be with Him. Because of this, we may have great
confidence in the Lord Jesus because He is Holy and does not lie.
When His word declares it, it shall be, and though we face troubles,
tribulations and persecution, we know He is watching, and His
vengeance against those who hassle us will be strong.
Next
time Paul shares about “flaming fire”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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