ESOCS Devotional 16 May 2024 – Succour for the Persecuted
MEMORY VERSE: “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you, 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 a blazing fire with His powerful angels.” 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 NIV
TEXT: 2 THESSALONIANS 1:1-12
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace to 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 fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill 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 you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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In our text today, members of the Thessalonian Church continued to exhibit positive spiritual growth in the grace of God. Their faith in God was made manifest by their zeal towards God’s work. This set of believers refused to be stagnated, despite hardships and other persecuting influences. They rather continued to labour in their lives, which was stimulated by God’s grace (1 Thessalonians 1:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:10). They did not only continue to respond to God through obedient faith but also exhibited loving response toward one another 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 John 4:19).
Paul was full of praise for these believers because they did not allow the hardship they suffered to stop them from their outreach to evangelize their area. They would not also allow hardship to stop them from loving one another. This is truly praiseworthy. The persecutions they endured indicated their absolute faith in God (Philippians 1:28; Acts 14:22). This was also evidence that they were truly God’s flock; and thus, God would eventually avenge those who harmed His flock (Matthew 5:10-12).
The Church is God’s project. Therefore, those who would oppose the Church, or persecute God’s servants will receive the just condemnation of God, both here and in a burning hell. In other words, God will take vengeance on those who persecute His saints in a burning hell, or flaming fire that burns with brimstone. They will be punished with everlasting destruction away from the presence of the Lord (vv. 8-9).
The New Testament Bible describes hell as a place of eternal punishment (Matthew 5:22, 18:9; Revelation 19:20, 20:10). It is a place of everlasting torment and total destruction. It is a lake of fire that burns without end. It is a place for those who have rejected God’s gift of pardon and peace. It is a destination that involves separation from the presence of God, and eternal judgment.
Those who are in any way involved in persecuting or opposing God’s work and servants should desist, to save themselves from this everlasting sorrow. Heaven is real; hell is also real. Take heed to yourselves.
- Temporary pleasure on earth and everlasting pains in hell, which do you prefer?
- Lord Jesus, give me the grace to escape hell. Amen.
Further Reading: Exodus 9:13-35; 1 Kings 21:1-16; Mark 4:21-34
ESOCS Devotional 16 May 2024
