(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)
When charged with wrongdoing, quick thinking can sometimes figure a way out.
Paul's first letter to the congregation at Thessalonica may be his earliest epistle (51), offering a glimpse at what challenges the church faced only a few years after Jesus' ascension, including resistance to the gospel message1 and uncertainty about Jesus' return.2 Paul discusses the expectation of that return and its implications for believers, both those who have died and those who remain alive. Paul wrote his second letter to the congregation a few months later (52), again addressing persecution of the believers as well as speculation about the return of Jesus. Paul wants to encourage his readers that the opposition they face will not go unanswered and that Jesus, when he does come, will provide a reckoning and will redress their suffering. In fact, his advent will trigger...
* LXVI The Foremost Condemnation3
...as it constitutes...
Several passages indicate that the recompense of the wicked will not wait until the end. For most, it will occur far earlier.6 The author of Hebrews, for example, says...
One of the many advantages God's people have is the window on future events that He provides for them. Those who do not know God do not have this advantage. They do not know how their situation will turn out. They can only hope the choices they have made will be advantageous, but they have no guarantee. For those who do not know God, the end will be a great disappointment. It will be especially so for those who think they excel at other's expense and who assume this life is all that need concern them. For them, the end will be a very rude awakening. As one commentator notes, "they have no idea about the danger confronting them in the impending judgment" (Wanamaker 1990:225-226).
The apostle wants his readers to look beyond their present, difficult circumstances and note what God has in store for those who oppose them. It is similar to what Asaph, the author of Ps 73, came to understand, a passage Paul certainly would have recommended to his readers and to us.8
Even if wicked people take advantage of you with complete disregard for your feelings, your needs, or your safety, God will rectify the inequity. It may not happen as soon as you would like, but Your future will see retribution for the wicked.
Here in America, especially here in rural Pennsylvania, your life is probably free from opposition. No one persecutes you for your faith. Is that good or bad? ...I have heard some people say that we in America—usually asserted by those outside America—we here have grown spiritually fat and lazy and that we should pray for persecution to get us back in shape, because historically a persecuted church is a strong church. What do you think? Should we seek persecution?
The answer is "No." Quite the contrary, Jesus tells the disciples, "Be on your guard" against those who would persecute you, "pray" that you might escape persecution, and actually "flee" when you encounter it (n. 15). Nevertheless, it may not be possible to avoid persecution entirely, and you should not think that, even here in America, you are immune from it. Paul writes to Timothy...
There may be some truth to the charge that we are spiritually soft, and we should certainly correct that, but there is no basis in scripture for seeking persecution.15 Moreover, while a persecuted church may be leaner, composed of more members who are serious about their faith, it is often less developed in other ways, important ways.
As Paul writes this letter, he wants the Thessalonian believers to look beyond their current situation to a time when God will provide a reckoning and will redress their suffering, to The Foremost Condemnation, the punishment by God against those who oppose Him and His people...which includes you.
Having considered The Foremost Condemnation, we will look next at The Foremost Consummation, which is in the presence of God, in Rev 21:3-4.
For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.
The owner of a small New York sandwich deli was being questioned by an IRS agent about his tax return. He had reported a net profit of $80,000 for the year. "Why don't you people leave me alone?" the deli owner said. "I work like a dog, everyone in my family helps out, the place is only closed three days a year. And you want to know how I made $80,000?" "It's not your income that bothers us," the agent said. "It's these travel deductions. You listed six trips to Florida for you and your wife." "Oh, that," the owner said. "It is a legitimate business expense...because we also deliver."When charged with wrongdoing, quick thinking can sometimes figure a way out. Such a tactic, however, will not help those who face The Foremost Condemnation.
Paul's first letter to the congregation at Thessalonica may be his earliest epistle (51), offering a glimpse at what challenges the church faced only a few years after Jesus' ascension, including resistance to the gospel message1 and uncertainty about Jesus' return.2 Paul discusses the expectation of that return and its implications for believers, both those who have died and those who remain alive. Paul wrote his second letter to the congregation a few months later (52), again addressing persecution of the believers as well as speculation about the return of Jesus. Paul wants to encourage his readers that the opposition they face will not go unanswered and that Jesus, when he does come, will provide a reckoning and will redress their suffering. In fact, his advent will trigger...
* LXVI The Foremost Condemnation3
...as it constitutes...
- The punishment by God (2 Thess 1:6-7,9)
2 Thess 1:6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7a and give relief to you who are troubled.... 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and [will be] shut out from the presence of the Lord....God has many attributes, admirable qualities that define who He is and that make Him stand out from all others. Paul cites one of those attributes here in v. 6: "God is just," which means He treats His creatures with absolute equity.4 That does not mean He gives them what they desire but gives them what they deserve, which may not always be pleasant for them. That will be the situation when Jesus returns to defeat the forces arrayed against his people.5 About that confrontation, John writes...
Rev 19:11b With justice he judges and makes war.He will give them what they deserve, a thorough 'shellacking.' For the Thessalonians and for us, this battle, the battle of Armageddon, is sometime in the future. Must justice wait until then?
Several passages indicate that the recompense of the wicked will not wait until the end. For most, it will occur far earlier.6 The author of Hebrews, for example, says...
Heb 9:27 ...man is destined to die...and after that to face judgment...which, for most people, has already occurred. Keep in mind that whatever injustice you encounter in this life is limited to this life. Whether God acts immediately or ultimately, sooner or later, He deals with all who oppose Him and His people.7 Consequently...
1. Your future will see relief from the wicked (2 Thess 1:6-7a).Paul states that...
a. God will address your troublers.
...and...
- "He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you"
b. God will address your trouble.
For God's people in any age, whatever injustice they or you may experience, it will be temporary, because your future will see relief from the wicked.
- He will "give relief to you who are troubled."
One of the many advantages God's people have is the window on future events that He provides for them. Those who do not know God do not have this advantage. They do not know how their situation will turn out. They can only hope the choices they have made will be advantageous, but they have no guarantee. For those who do not know God, the end will be a great disappointment. It will be especially so for those who think they excel at other's expense and who assume this life is all that need concern them. For them, the end will be a very rude awakening. As one commentator notes, "they have no idea about the danger confronting them in the impending judgment" (Wanamaker 1990:225-226).
The apostle wants his readers to look beyond their present, difficult circumstances and note what God has in store for those who oppose them. It is similar to what Asaph, the author of Ps 73, came to understand, a passage Paul certainly would have recommended to his readers and to us.8
Ps 73:3 ...I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.... 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.... 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! ...27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.God offers the same perspective to the Thessalonians and to you. You future will see relief from the wicked...and...
2. Your future will see retribution for the wicked (2 Thess 1:9).Paul states that...
a. It will include their castigation for sin.
and...
- "They will be punished with everlasting destruction"
b. It will include their separation from God.
This last point is the epitome of judgment. Whatever punishment the wicked receive, it culminates in permanent separation from God.9 "For Paul exclusion from the glorious presence of the Lord constitutes the obverse of salvation, which is to be with the Lord always" (Wanamaker 1990:229).
- They will be "shut out from the presence of the Lord"
Even if wicked people take advantage of you with complete disregard for your feelings, your needs, or your safety, God will rectify the inequity. It may not happen as soon as you would like, but Your future will see retribution for the wicked.
Here in America, especially here in rural Pennsylvania, your life is probably free from opposition. No one persecutes you for your faith. Is that good or bad? ...I have heard some people say that we in America—usually asserted by those outside America—we here have grown spiritually fat and lazy and that we should pray for persecution to get us back in shape, because historically a persecuted church is a strong church. What do you think? Should we seek persecution?
The answer is "No." Quite the contrary, Jesus tells the disciples, "Be on your guard" against those who would persecute you, "pray" that you might escape persecution, and actually "flee" when you encounter it (n. 15). Nevertheless, it may not be possible to avoid persecution entirely, and you should not think that, even here in America, you are immune from it. Paul writes to Timothy...
2 Tim 3:12 ...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,That is certainly not a cheerful prospect, but you must not let that possibility deter you from living "a godly life."10 How then should you respond to persecution, if and when you encounter it? The New Testament writers offer several instructions, three of which stand out, because they appear more than once.11
- First, be confident, because God has something wonderful in store for you.12 Jesus said...
Matt 5:12a Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven....
Be confident.
- Second, be courageous, because there is a limit to what others can do to you.13 Again, Jesus said...
Matt 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Be courageous.
- Third, be committed, because you are following in the footsteps of Jesus.14 The author of Hebrews writes...
Heb 12:3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Be committed.In such ways as these, you are to respond if and when you encounter persecution.
There may be some truth to the charge that we are spiritually soft, and we should certainly correct that, but there is no basis in scripture for seeking persecution.15 Moreover, while a persecuted church may be leaner, composed of more members who are serious about their faith, it is often less developed in other ways, important ways.
- The absence of persecution in the west has enabled the church to develop intellectually, fostering a greater understanding of God's word. Christians in counties with extensive persecution generally lack opportunities to educate clergy, which in turn limits what congregants can learn.
- The absence of persecution in the west has also enabled the church to develop financially, fostering a greater propagation of God's word. Christians in counties with extensive persecution generally lack the resources to engage in missions, which limits possibilities for church growth.
Matt 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold [= spiritual laxity], 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.The remedy is not persecution but perseverance.
As Paul writes this letter, he wants the Thessalonian believers to look beyond their current situation to a time when God will provide a reckoning and will redress their suffering, to The Foremost Condemnation, the punishment by God against those who oppose Him and His people...which includes you.
Having considered The Foremost Condemnation, we will look next at The Foremost Consummation, which is in the presence of God, in Rev 21:3-4.
For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.
(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted)
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Jim Skaggs