2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

đź’ˇHow to do your quiet time


Paul encouraged the Thessalonians by pointing out that their suffering demonstrated their worthiness of the kingdom of God. We do not earn our way into heaven through suffering, entrance to heaven is given by grace as a free gift that is received through faith in Jesus Christ. But trials reveal the God-given character we have as we endure. Their (and our) suffering will always be balanced on the scales of divine justice because God will repay those who inflict suffering on His saints. When Jesus returns with His angels, justice will be meted out on those whose sins have not been dealt with by the cross. There will be two classes of unbelievers who are punished in eternity, those who did not know God and those who refused to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. The first group is those who were ignorant of God (who are still without excuse, Rom 1:18-32) and those who have refused to believe. The guilt of the latter group is greater because of their willful rejection of God’s offer of salvation. In the end, God’s judgment will be perfectly just. Both groups will be punished with eternal or everlasting destruction away from God’s presence. The punishment of the wicked will not be temporary, nor will it be complete annihilation. It is eternal, conscious punishment as opposed to eternal life (Matt 25:46). While being in the presence of God is what makes heaven heaven, being eternally banished from God’s presence is the essence of hell. When Christ returns, His glory will be revealed in all believers who will receive glorified bodies and a sinless nature. All believers will marvel as they see what their Lord has done in them. This group includes the Thessalonians because they believed Paul’s testimony. This group will include you if you have believed the gospel message. What an encouragement, especially under persecution, that one day all will be made right and we will experience Jesus face to face and the fulfillment of His promise as we receive our glorified bodies.
This led Paul to pray for the Thessalonians that they would live their lives in a manner consistent with their calling and destiny. There is work to be done in order to be considered worthy. But that work is done with resolve given by God and through His power supplied in us. The gift of eternal life is given as unmerited favour, we cannot earn it (Eph 2:8-9). But our reward in heaven will be given as merited favour, we will be rewarded because of how we have lived and for the good works we have done in Him (Eph 2:10). Because even our good works are only possible because of Jesus at work in us, everything is done to the glory of Jesus Christ.

Are you living consistent with your calling and destiny? Consider the length of your life and the length of eternity. Are you putting appropriate emphasis on things with lasting significance?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Hagar and Ishamael: Genesis 16