2 Thessalonians 1: Judgment Day
Why were the names Silas and Timothy included in Paul’s greeting to the Thessalonians?
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2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the assembly in Thessalonica, believers in God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
King James
2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Of what value were Paul’s good wishes for the believers in Thessalonica?
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2 Thessalonians 1:2 May he favor you with peace and contentment in him.
King James
2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
How did Paul know about how the Thessalonians were doing?
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1 Thessalonians 3:1–2 After wanting to come see you for so long, we finally had to accept our need to remain in Athens. We sent our brother Timothy, God’s servant and our fellow laborer in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, to encourage you and strengthen your faith
2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 We thank God for you, my friends, and for good reason, for your faith is growing rapidly and your love for one another is exceptional. In the assemblies of believers, we praise you for your faith and how you patiently endure social pressure and persecution.
King James
1 Thessalonians 3:1–2 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
2 Thessalonians 1:3–4 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
What does suffering have to do with our relationship with Christ?
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John 15:20 “Remember what I said before. The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they had listened to me, they would listen to you.”
Philippians 1:29 Your relationship with Christ involves more than believing, for you will have to suffer for him.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 Your suffering is a small indicator of God’s righteous judgment that you are worthy of the Kingdom.
1 Peter 3:17 Suffering for doing good, if God allows it, is much better than suffering for doing evil.
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved Christians, don’t regard your terrible ordeal as something unusual, because it’s there to demonstrate your faith.
King James
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
What kind of attitude should we have toward our persecutors?
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Romans 12:20 If your enemy is hungry, prepare a feast for him. If he is thirsty, give him your best wine. Your generosity will amaze him—as much a shock as coals of fire being poured upon his head—and God will reward you.
2 Thessalonians 1:6 You can be sure God will judge your persecutors and give them what they should receive.
King James
Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
With all the hardships and persecutions that Paul was enduring, how could he be at rest and be an example to others?
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2 Thessalonians 1:7 If you worry about what will happen, be at rest as we are, for the Lord Jesus will descend from the clouds with his mighty angels.
King James
2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
For two thousand years, Christians have anticipated the Lord’s return, but he hasn’t come yet, so how does his promised return provide much comfort?
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2 Thessalonians 1:7 If you worry about what will happen, be at rest as we are, for the Lord Jesus will descend from the clouds with his mighty angels.
King James
2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
How should Christians feel about the judgment of those who don’t know God?
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2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 A fiery judgment will fall upon those who don’t know God, who have not heeded the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. They will suffer eternal death, forever separated from the Lord’s presence and the greatness of his power.
King James
2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
When the Lord returns, who will be “his people”?
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2 Thessalonians 1:10 When the Lord comes to be honored among his people, he will be worshiped by all who believe in him. You will be among them in that day because you embraced our message.
King James
2 Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Why did Paul feel a need to pray for the equipping of believers in Thessalonica?
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2 Thessalonians 1:11 We’re constantly asking God to equip you to do the work he has called you for. May your faith bring extreme pleasure as God’s goodness works through you in power.
King James
2 Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
What kind of work glorifies the name of Christ?
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Matthew 7:22–23 “On Judgment Day, many will say, ‘Lord, didn’t we prophesy, cast out evil spirits, and do many wonderful deeds in your name?’
“Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you disobedient lawbreakers.’ “
John 17:4 “I have glorified you on Earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”
2 Thessalonians 1:12 Through God’s unmerited favor, you share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ when your work glorifies his name.
King James
Matthew 7:22–23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
2 Thessalonians 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.