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When a tree is young or newly planted, arborists will stake a tree with support ropes on each side. Tree staking helps the tree establish roots and ensures it grows vertically. It also can protect the tree from strong winds and storm damage. But tree staking is not meant to be a permanent fixture. The tie fastening can prevent the tree from moving, and if it doesn’t move then it doesn’t cultivate strong fibers that it needs to mature. When a tree moves it is able to broaden its base and widen its branches, making it thicker at the bottom and thinner toward the top. If you’ve ever seen a tall and strong tree, it is because it has grown because of its endurance through an adverse environment.

Likewise, the apostle Paul preached the gospel in Thessalonica. New believers began their faith journey and needed some stake support. Paul wrote them two letters within a short amount of time. He sent them leaders like Timothy to grow their knowledge and guide their spiritual application. These letters reflect some of the storms and suffering these believers experienced. Yet, we can also see how the Thessalonian believers – though swayed and moved – developed deep roots, firm backbones, and fruitful branches.

In today’s passage, we discover 2 realities about suffering.

EXAMINE                        2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

¹ 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 ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. ⁴ Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

⁵ 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— ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ 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 ⁸ 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. ⁹ 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.

Suffering establishes our faith.

⁵ 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—

Paul affirms the Thessalonian church with three characteristics: abundantly growing faith, increasing love for one another, and steadfast hope amid persecution. Ironically, experiencing virtue from affliction was evidence of the righteous judgment of God.
God uses all things, including suffering, to glorify His name and grow our faith. Notice Paul’s prayer vv.11-12
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.

• It is not that God delights in our suffering, but that part of His design for a fallen world is that He offers grace, faith, peace, and hope to fight for joy and grant victory through it.
• It is not that God rewards salvation based upon our survival of suffering (cf 2 Tim 1:8-12 “join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”).
• Good works do not earn salvation but faith through suffering provides evidence of it (cf Rom 3:19-26; Eph 2:1-10; Titus 3:3-8; Ja 2:14-26). As Paul said, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22), and “Everyone who desires to live a godly life will be persecuted” (2Tim 3:12).
• Pastor Eric Mason says, “There is no Affirmative Action when it comes to suffering. It’s an equal-opportunity employer. There is no disinfectant you can utilize to anoint yourself out of suffering.”[1]
• V.5 considered worthy of God’s kingdom
  • Prophets suffered.

Hebrews 11:35-38 ³⁵ Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. ³⁶ Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

• Jesus suffered.
  Matthew 5:10-12 ¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
  ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  
  • Apostles suffered.
    1 Peter 4:12-13 ¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
  • Early church suffered. For the first 300 years of Christianity, persecution was prevalent for Roman military and popular for Roman society.
    •  Diary of Felicitas, female in Carthage, 202AD.[2]

While we were still under arrest (she said) my father out of love for me was trying to persuade me and shake my resolution. ‘Father,’ said I, ‘do you see this vase here, for example, or waterpot or whatever?’
‘Yes, I do’, said he.
And I told him: ‘Could it be called by any other name than what it is?’
And he said: ‘No.’
‘Well, so too I cannot be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.’
At this my father was so angered by the word ‘Christian’ that he moved towards me as though he would pluck my eyes out. But he left it at that and departed, vanquished along with his diabolical arguments.
For a few days afterwards I gave thanks to the Lord that I was separated from my father, and I was comforted by his absence. During these few days I was baptized, and I was inspired by the Spirit not to ask for any other favour after the water but simply the perseverance of the flesh. A few days later we were lodged in the prison; and I was terrified, as I had never before been in such a dark hole. What a difficult time it was! With the crowd the heat was stifling; then there was the extortion of the soldiers; and to crown all, I was tortured with worry for my baby there.
Then Tertius and Pomponius, those blessed deacons who tried to take care of us, bribed the soldiers to allow us to go to a better part of the prison to refresh ourselves for a few hours. Everyone then left that dungeon and shifted for himself. I nursed my baby, who was faint from hunger. In my anxiety I spoke to my mother about the child, I tried to comfort my brother, and I gave the child in their charge. I was in pain because I saw them suffering out of pity for me. These were the trials I had to endure for many days. Then I got permission for my baby to stay with me in prison. At once I recovered my health, relieved as I was of my worry and anxiety over the child. My prison had suddenly become a palace, so that I wanted to be there rather than anywhere else…
A few days later there was a rumour that we were going to be given a hearing. My father also arrived from the city, worn with worry, and he came to see me with the idea of persuading me.
‘Daughter,’ he said, ‘have pity on my grey head–have pity on me your father, if I deserve to be called your father, if I have favoured you above all your brothers, if I have raised you to reach this prime of your life. Do not abandon me to be the reproach of men. Think of your brothers, think of your mother and your aunt, think of your child, who will not be able to live once you are gone. Give up your pride! You will destroy all of us! None of us will ever be able to speak freely again if anything happens to you.’
This was the way my father spoke out of love for me, kissing my hands and throwing himself down before me. With tears in his eyes he no longer addressed me as his daughter but as a woman. I was sorry for my father’s sake, because he alone of all my kin would be unhappy to see me suffer.
I tried to comfort him saying: ‘It will all happen in the prisoner’s dock as God wills; for you may be sure that we are not left to ourselves but are all in his power.’ And he left me in great sorrow.

Diary of Felicitas, female in Carthage, 202AD

• Modern global church suffers. Today, 1 in 7 Christians worldwide experience high levels of persecution; or 1 in 6 in Africa, 2 in 5 of Asia, 1 in 12 in Latin America. Overall, US State Dept records that at least 60 nation’s governments persecute Christianity.That’s 350 million Christians living in countries where they likely suffer levels of persecution.On average, everyday 16 Christians are killed for their faith, 12 churches or Christian buildings are attacked, 12 Christians are unjustly arrested, 5 Christians are abducted for faith reasons. Alongside seismic increases of atrocities and persecution of Christians the last 30 years, simultaneously the blood of the martyrs has been the seeds of growth for the church.[3]

When spiritually mature Christians face suffering, they ask:

• Ask God to learn more of Him.
  Ps 119:71 “It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I may learn God’s statutes.”
• Ask God for strength and not just rescue.
  Ps 73:26 “My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
  Neh 8:10 “do not be grieved, the joy of the Lord is our strength.”
• Ask God who else and not just why me.
            Put into practice this week…

2 Cor 1:4 “God comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

• Ask God to use suffering to spread the gospel.
  Ac 4:29 “Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”
  Php 1:12,14 “Brothers, I want you to know that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…Because of my chains, most of the church has been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”

Suffering is the just payment of evil.

⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ 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 ⁸ 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. ⁹ 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.

A second reality of suffering is that God promises to judge the righteous & unrighteous according to their faith in Jesus Christ. In a world that clamors & appeals for justice, God’s promise to the Thessalonians serves as a source of hope. Paul says that God will repay with affliction those who persecute Christians (v.6). Further, he says that God will relieve & comfort those who have been afflicted (v.7).

In other words, Christian – this world is as close to hell as you’ll ever be. In this world you will have trouble, but suffering has an expiration date and Jesus promises to wipe away our tears, heal our pain, and restore the losses we grieved (cf Rev 21:4; Joel 2:25; Jn 16:33; Rom 8:28-29). Likewise, Unbeliever – this world is as close to heaven as you will be apart from saving faith in Jesus Christ. The afterlife apart from Christ is unlike life on earth. Notice Paul’s description of judgment in vv.8-9:

• flaming fire: unquenchable and burning hot fire, blazing holy, and blistering pain with the smoke of their torment rising forever (cf Mt 3:12; 25:41; Jude 1:7; Rev 14:11)
• inflicting vengeance: Christians are told to leave retribution to God, for the Lord is an avenger (cf 1Th 4:6). No wrong is winked at or forgotten, and every unrighteous deed will be punished.
• punishment: not irrational outburst but just discipline and penalty; and God’s punishment will not be undemanding or unfair. It will be exactly what the individual deserves (Mt 25:46)
• eternal destruction: Phrase sounds contradictory but reflects God’s punishment will not be temporary or intermittent; there is not “soul sleep” but conscious and forever repeated punishment (cf Rev 20:10). Contra 7^th.D.A. annihilationism.
• away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might: The most severe portion of God’s punishment is their separation from God’s glory, Jesus’ grace, the Spirit’s gladness, and the fellowship of the saints’ goodness.

The graphic language in the Bible about this doctrine appears inadequate to fully explain the hopelessness and horrors of endless hell. There will be no second chances, rehabilitation programs or recovery process in Hell. Your last breath is your first breath before a Holy God, with His verdict final.

This doctrine is not spoken with arrogance or anger but with empathy (for I too am a sinner saved by grace), and an exhortation for all to repent (1Tim 2:4; 2Pt 3:9).

Further, the text demands some additional interpretation regarding when these events described will come to pass. If you note the next chapter, Paul speaks even more specifically about the coming of the LORD. In fact, one would be hard pressed to miss a single chapter in Thessalonians, or a single letter of the apostle Paul that does not mention urgent attentiveness to the return of Jesus.

So – next week, I will be providing some specific teaching about the return of Jesus, and interpretation on the timing of Christ’s return. Rest easy, I will not be on the planning committee for exact calendar dates as much as wanting us to be on the hospitality committee that is prepared for and welcoming to Jesus! In short, while many of you do not have significant awareness about eschatology, next week will be somewhat of a 101 teaching.

Overall, Paul is exhorting believers not to be uninformed or unready, or deceived by suffering or the signs of evil.

Our challenge is not so much that we want to avoid hell. Everyone wants to avoid hell. Yet, our crisis is that we avoid Jesus. Numerous people avoid Jesus, but the only way to avoid hell is to be attentive to Jesus.

Today,

• Attune your ears to the words of Jesus.
• Attune your eyes to the cross of Jesus.
• Attune your heart to the resurrection of Jesus.
• Attune your hope to the return of Jesus.

APPLY/THINK

Father in heaven, just punishment and frightening vengeance awaits all those who are not attuned to your Son, Jesus Christ. Today, as Christians, we are grateful for rescue and redemption. And we pray that the Spirit would unify our church and stir in us the urgency of the Great Commission to go near and far spreading the only hope and speaking the only name by which people can be saved. We pray that you would soften hearts and open ears to hear about the truth and love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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[1] https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-role-of-suffering-in-sanctification

[2] The Acts Of The Christian Martyrs, texts and translation by Herbert Musurillo, Oxford University Press, 1972, article accessed from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/primary/perpetua.html.  Also see https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2023/05/persecution-in-the-early-church/

[3] https://religionnews.com/2023/01/17/christian-persecution-higher-than-ever-as-open-doors-world-watch-list-marks-30-years/