Introduction
Going to elementary school back in the 60’s, I still remember standing next to my desk every morning before class started and, with my right hand over my heart, reciting the United States pledge of allegiance along with my classmates. For the benefit of those of you outside the United States, here it is:
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice For All.”
I asked some friends this week and was a bit shocked to learn that public schools all across the United States still recite this. I’m surprised that atheists have been unsuccessful to date at having the pledge changed or removed entirely considering it contains the word…wait for it…“GOD!” I did learn that atheists were successful in having the court order teachers at the high school level to allow students to opt out of saying the pledge because some of them are adults and are able to decide for themselves if they want to participate. In any event, it’s good to know the pledge is still so widely recited. However, the recitation of the whole pledge is not really my focus for this lesson. Instead, I want to focus on one small part of it—Justice For All. Have you ever thought about how important justice is for a civilized society? We often take justice for granted here in the United States assuming that if we’re victimized in some way that the governing authorities will take some steps to insure that justice is served against whoever may have offended us. However, earthly justice can prove to be elusive at times and that can leave us feeling frightened, confused, and vulnerable. But earthly justice isn’t our last hope nor our best hope for justice. I want to repeat something I said in last week’s lesson (God’s Guardrails) and I want to share a comment with you from one of my readers to what I said. Here’s what I said: "A holy God does not stand idly by when men act unrighteously, transgress the law, show disdain to him as creator or spurn his love and mercy. He acts in a righteous manner punishing sin in the present and especially on the final day. Yet God also acquits the guilty, and only the person who understands something of the greatness of his wrath will be mastered by the greatness of his mercy. The converse is also true: only he who has experienced the greatness of God’s mercy can understand something of how great that wrath must be.” In response to that, this is the comment that someone left me: “Whether or not they are ultimately punished by God is unknown, however, any honest appraisal of the world will reveal that people who do bad things are not always punished. Conversely, bad things happen to good people as well.” I don’t believe that comment is in any way criticism of what I said. Instead, it is a comment dripping with anger, sadness, and pain. I have been praying for this person this week. I wonder how much pain they must be in that they are not certain whether or not God can be trusted to be the final Arbiter of justice when they witness that in this life, not all bad people are punished and bad things really do happen to good people. That feels so hopeless to me when hope is one of the foundational elements of Christian belief. So often we get wrapped up in the hope of our salvation that we neglect all the elements associated with that hope. Hope certainly includes eternal life in the presence of God but doesn’t it also include the hope that we will be reunited with other believers in our lives that have gone to heaven before us? How about the hope that there will no longer be pain, sickness, or death? It might sound selfish but what about the hope of being rewarded for our obedience and faith? What about the hope that God will punish those who are disobedient and unfaithful; those who have perhaps wounded us deeply yet have escaped earthly justice? The hope that we have in our salvation through Jesus Christ includes all these things—Eternal life, a grand reunion, perfect eternal health, and Justice For All.
Subject Text
2 Thessalonians 1:3-10
3We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 5All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
Context
This letter to the Church in Thessalonica was written just a few months after Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians and both letters appear to follow the same trajectory. There appeared to be some confusion about Christ’s return. Countless weighty tomes have been written about the biblical prophecies of Jesus’ second coming. While these writing serve a very important purpose of teaching us some very important biblical truths, they are still an academic exercise at some level for many of us. You know when it stops being an academic exercise? When life becomes so painful that all you can think about is: When will the pain stop? When will the suffering end? When will the persecution end? When will I win for a change? When will I get justice? When things become painful enough, even the strongest long for this life to end and the next to begin. Well that’s what the Thessalonian Church was experiencing. Many of them were killed at the hands of those who hated Christ and His Church. They were being persecuted on all sides by zealous Jews (like Paul before his conversion) who were desperate to maintain their power and influence over the people, by angry Greeks who hated the new piety and morality introduced by Christianity, and the Roman authorities who demanded allegiance to Caesar alone as the divine authority. The Thessalonian Christians were subject to public stonings, beatings, crucifixions, torture, mutilations, and death. They were looking for the end; they wanted the end; they wanted things to be set right; they wanted Justice For All.
Text Analysis
When Paul says in vv. 3-4 that they “ought” to always thank God for the Thessalonian Christians, he’s not saying that it’s something they really should be doing as though they haven’t already been doing so. Instead, Paul should be understood as saying that it is “right” that they are always thanking God for the Thessalonian Christians because they hadn’t abandoned their faith in the midst of their dire circumstances. In fact, their faith was growing as was their love for one another. Their lives reflected the same faithfulness in the face of persecution that Jesus demonstrated on His road to the cross and for that it was right to always thank God for the example being set by the brothers and sisters in Thessalonica. It is somewhat typical that when people are under intense pressure that they become more isolated in an attempt to protect themselves from further pain or danger. Even the most selfless person can become intensely selfish. However, the Thessalonian believers demonstrated their Godly character as they continually put the needs of others before themselves. Paul says their love continued to grow for one another. “Your thankless situation only throws into more brilliant relief your personal character and bearing under adverse circumstances…A period of strain tires mutual gentleness as well as patience toward God, since irritation and lack of unselfish consideration for others may be as readily produced by a time of tension and severe anxiety as an impatient temper of faith. Paul is glad and grateful that suffering was drawing his friends together and binding them more closely to their Lord, instead of stunting the growth of their faith and drying up the flow of their mutual charity…suffering has not spoiled their characters, as suffering, especially when due to oppression and injustice, is apt to do.”[1]
Most of us tend to underestimate the far-reaching influence of our words and actions—for good or for bad. But today’s technology has brought events from all around the world right to our computer screens. In recent months, we have witnessed the systematic brutality of Islam’s evil belief system that seeks to destroy all those who are not Muslims with a particular hatred for Jews and Christians. We have seen evil on display as Muslims have killed Christians by the thousands. Christian men are executed in front of their families, Christian women are raped and sold as sex-slaves, and Christian children are often beheaded, or cut to pieces, or even buried alive. In the midst of all this evil, we have also witnessed the relentless and unswerving faith of believers being persecuted as they care and comfort those most severely impacted by the evils of Islam and it is plain for all to see around the world—believers and unbelievers alike. For those of us whose greatest persecution is having unbelievers call us names, the believers around the world who are enduring such severe persecution are real-life heroes of the faith and it is right that they we should pray for them and praise them for their enduring faith. Paul’s description of the Thessalonian believers is not one of resignation to their dire circumstances. Instead, “it pictures not passive acceptance in the face of difficulty, but active strength against it, exhibited by faithfulness. The Thessalonian believers remained faithful to God even in all the persecutions and hardships they were suffering.”[2]
Some people witness this persecution and wonder how God, if He really exists and loves His people, could stand by and do nothing. It’s what drives people, in some case believers, to be unsure if God really is a just God. And v. 5 of our Subject Text adds to the confusion when Paul says that the events of their lives is “evidence” that God’s judgment is right. How can the persecution of some of the children of God be evidence that God’s judgment is right? We always have to be careful that we don’t project onto God what we think His judgment should look like. Consider this: God knew how the Thessalonian believers would react in the face of severe persecution and he “judged” that they would have not only the strength to endure the persecution but would become an example of faithfulness under pressure for the generations that followed them. The fact that Christians are encouraged and inspired by their story of the faithful perseverance 2,000 years later is, in fact, evidence that God’s judgment was right after all. In God’s judgment, the actions and attitudes of the Thessalonian believers proved His judgment was right that they were reserving their place in His Kingdom. “The practical point is that Paul places the Thessalonians’ experience within the divine purpose and attributes to it a positive significance, not that they would inherit the kingdom or through tribulations enter it, but that their endurance and faith are proof of God’s righteous judgment that they are already being made worthy of the kingdom.”[3]
I’ll confess something, that’s not enough for me. Is it enough for you? I’m sorry if that doesn’t sound very pastor-like but when I think about my brothers and sisters in Christ being butchered by Muslims, I don’t find much satisfaction in knowing that they have taken their place reserved for them in God’s Kingdom. That only seems like justice half served. It is right that those who are persecuted take their place in God’s Kingdom but it’s not right that their persecutors get off scot-free. This is the sense of justice that resides in all of us. Where do you suppose that comes from? I’ll give you a hint—it resides within us because we have been created in God’s image. I’ll bet some of you just figured it out didn’t you? If it resides in all of us then it must reside in God as well if we are a reflection of His character. And that is exactly what we learn in vv. 6-7a—that God is just. It is not enough for God either to only reward the faithful. He must also punish the unfaithful; the persecutors; those who are evil; the unbelievers. The relief that God promises those who are persecuted may mean relief from their suffering in this life but in our Subject Text it is specifically referring to relief from suffering in the life to come. Nevertheless, it means the relief of knowing that God’s righteous justice will rain down on all those who reject Jesus Christ and stand in opposition to God’s purpose and people. “Paul reassures them of their mutual, certain eschatological future. But what is promised here is not temporal judgment—judgment on their enemies within their near future—but eschatological judgment. Everything in these two letters indicates that Paul and the Thessalonians lived fully in the tension of the ‘already/not yet’ of God’s rule. Life for them in the present is altogether predicated on Christ’s resurrection, which has thus also guaranteed their own certain future.”[4]
In case there was any confusion or doubt in the minds of the Thessalonians, Paul paints a very graphic picture of what awaits all humanity at Christ’s return in vv. 7b-10. Let me just take a brief detour for a moment. Have you ever heard of Pascal’s Wager? Blaise Pascal was a French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist—so a really, really smart guy. Well he contributed many things but one that is specifically pertinent to Christian theology and laid the ground work for probability theory and marked the first formal use of decision theory—like I said, a really, really smart guy. Anyway, Pascal posited that all humanity bets with their lives that God either exists or He doesn’t. Considering the possibility that God exists, there is coinciding possibility of eternal gain represented by heaven and the possibility of eternal loss represented by hell. Consequently, any rational person should seek to believe in God and live as though He does. If it turns out that God does not exist then any loss that might be experienced would be limited (i.e. physical pleasures and luxuries). Conversely, if you bet that God does not exist and live as though He does not exist, the loss would be infinite if God does actually exist. Now, getting back to vv. 7b-9—this is where unbelievers realize that they made the wrong bet! Pascal was right because here’s what it means to be on the losing side of the bet about whether or not God exists: unbelievers will be punished with everlasting destruction. They will be completely shut off from God’s presence. That, my friends, is hell! God is often described as the God of second chances but there will be no more second chances when Christ returns. What do you suppose the first thoughts of an unbeliever would be at the sight of Jesus being revealed through a blazing fire flanked by an army of warrior angels? I don’t know about you but that’s a frightening vision and I’m a believer! “Paul gears this long discussion about the final judgment to encourage the Thessalonian believers in their suffering for the faith and to assure them that justice will truly be done…The apostle lays down an argument revolving around the character of God and his justice and promise of the coming of the Lord as Avenger who has all the power to execute the verdict. Judgment is certain, and it will be supremely powerful.”[5]
Remember that the purpose of Paul’s letter was not primarily intended as a condemnation of unbelievers. Instead, it was intended to be an encouragement for believers undergoing severe persecution. Consequently, Paul reminds them in v. 10 that the frightening image of Christ’s return in the previous verses gives way to the revelation that their vindication will have arrived with the Advent of Christ and His legion of angels. “For the believer, Christ’s coming will begin the eternal magnificence of his presence, the ceaseless experience of our desire—God himself. When Jesus comes he will be glorified in his people. Christ will not only display his glory, but in some way this glory will be shown in those who belong to him…The future includes all who believe the testimony of Christ and the Scriptures. Indeed, the redemption from the kingdom of darkness which Christ accomplished, and the transformation which awaits his people at the completion of salvation, belong to the work of Christ, the keeping grace of the Spirit, and the power of God.”[6]
Application
During the time of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, there was an ongoing debate that involved the Epicureans who questioned future divine judgment. The premise of their argument hinged on the absence of God’s judgment while evil continued to flourish. What the Epicureans were saying was that because God does not exact judgment on our timetable then He won’t exact judgment on any timetable. Of course the Epicureans believed in a plethora of Greek gods; false gods. I wonder what they think of God’s judgment now. The argument of the Epicureans is alive and well in our own day as well. Atheists love to use the argument as one of their proofs that God doesn’t exist. They argue that God doesn’t exist because we have daily evidence that those who believe in Him suffer as a result of their belief. They go on to argue that if a good and loving God existed, then he would never allow this to occur in the first place let alone allow it to continue seemingly unopposed. However, Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians shows us another way; a divine plan; a divine purpose. Every pain; every sorrow has a purpose in God’s divine plan. Let me show you by telling you a story of unspeakable pain and suffering that would be used to fulfill God’s divine plan:
On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold entered Columbine High School armed with weapons. They rigged the school and nearby vehicles with 99 explosive devices. Before they killed themselves, they managed to kill 12 students and one teacher. They also injured 21 others during their murderous rampage. Harris and Klebold’s hatred for God added a particularly evil twist to their actions. Here is one of their victims:
“She was 17 years old. He stood glaring at her, his weapon before her face.
‘Do you believe in God?’
She paused. It was a life-or-death question. ‘Yes, I believe in God.’
‘Why?’ asked her executioner. But he never gave her the chance to respond.
The teenage girl lay dead at his feet,”[7]
That teenage girl was Rachel Scott. Her family was devastated. Her death seemed like a senseless waste of a beautiful life. To add insult to injury, her family found this written in her personal journal: “I dare to believe I can start a chain reaction through acts of kindness and compassion.” Now she was dead and with her the chain reaction she hoped for…or so you might think. You see every pain; every sorrow has a purpose in God’s divine plan. Keep reading:
On September 11, 2001, Muslim terrorists hijacked four fully-loaded passenger airliners and took them on a suicide mission. One plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC, one plane was re-taken by some of the passengers and sent crashing to the ground in a field in rural western Pennsylvania and the final two planes where flown full speed into the World Trade Centers during a normal work day. More than 3,200 people were killed in the four attacks. Thousands of families and friends were devastated by sadistic evil. In the days that followed the tragedy, many people came to the aid and comfort of the families and friends of the survivors. There was one man in particular who suffered his own devastating tragedy who wrote something to the survivors in the hope of giving them comfort. Here’s what he wrote:
“The pain, it seems, will never end
The hurt is here to stay
The agony within my soul
Will never go away
It seems that it’s impossible
For me to ‘make it through’
(I know that feeling, precious friend,
For I have been there too)
I won’t attempt to offer cures
That will not ease your pain
But I will say, the life you lost—
It was not lived in vain
It’s been dispersed in memories
That now reside in you
And in the months and years to come
They’ll help you make it through
Today you feel the dark despair
Today you mourn and cry
But from the seeds of memory
That life will multiply
The torment seems too much to bear
The whole world seems insane
But if their life reflects through you
They did not die in vain!”[8]
Those words have brought comfort and healing to countless thousands of survivors of the tragic events of September 11th. This grieving man’s act of kindness and compassion started a chain reaction among others that would follow and perpetuate his example of kindness and compassion. Who was that man? His name is Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, the teenage girl who dreamed of starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. As it turned out, God did, in fact, have a divine plan to use every pain; every sorrow for His grand purpose. Sometimes we get so tangled up in our pain and sorrow that our sole focus is justice and we become blinded by grief, anger, and hatred to the way God may be using the tragic events of our lives. If we can get to the point where we can trust that God will use all the awful events around us for His glory; to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ, then it won’t really be that hard to trust that sooner or later there will be Justice For All.
[1] W. Robertson Nicoll, The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Vol. 4, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eardmans Publishing Co., 1983), p. 44.
[2] Bruce Barton, Philip Comfort, Grant Osborne, Linda K. Taylor, and Dave Veerman, Life Application New Testament Commentary, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), p. 917.
[3] Abraham J. Malherbe, The Letters to the Thessalonians—The Anchor Bible, (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2000), p. 395.
[4] Gordon Fee, The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians—The New International Commentary on the New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009), p. 255.
[5] Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians—The Pillar New Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2002), pp. 293-294.
[6] Knute Larson, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon—Holman New Testament Commentary, (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2000), pp. 92-93.
[7] dcTalk and The Voice of the Martyrs, Jesus Freaks, (Tulsa, OK: Albury Publishing, 1999), p. 17.
[8] The King’s College and Priority Associates, (remembrance) fallen but not forgotten, p. 7.
No comments:
Post a Comment