A Study in 2 Thessalonians : Lesson #1 God will eventually Judge
(2 Thessalonians 1:5-12)
In the passage for this lesson we see that Paul is comforting the Thessalonians in regards to the persecution that they are facing. In this comfort he reminds them that God will eventually judge those who are persecuting them and that they should stay strong in the face of this persecution.
Also as a part of this persecution Paul gives tells them about how Jesus will judge those who are opposed to him at the Second Advent. This is shown in verses 7-10. Many today think of God as a God of love only and they have no idea about the events that will accompany the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Judgment at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ : (Revelation 19:11-16)
- When Jesus returns at the Second Advent it will be to judge and make war (verse 11). Note that the verse says in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
- His eyes are said to be as a flame of fire (verse 12). This matches the thought in 2 Thessalonians where he is said to take vengeance in flaming fire on them that know not God.
- He is clothed with vesture dipped in blood (verse 13). This blood comes from trampling the winepress of the wrath of God (Revelation 14:14-20). When Jesus returns there will be enough people killed for the blood to be as deep as a horses bridle and flow for 1600 furlongs (176 miles).
- These people are killed with the sword that proceeds out of the mouth of Jesus Christ (verse 15).
When Jesus returns it is not going to be a welcome thing like many are expecting but it is going to be a great and dreadful day for those who are his enemies.
Things we must remember concerning the judgment of God :
1) It will come (Acts 17:31)
- God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world. Note that they are judged by the righteousness Jesus Christ that is the standard. This is why a person must have Jesus Christ as their personal savior there is no other way into heaven (John14:6). Your works can never equal the righteousness of Jesus Christ. One sin is one too many, but we can have his righteousness to replace our unrighteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
- We learn in Ecclesiastes 8:10-13that the reason that men continue in wickedness is because the judgment of God does not come swiftly. This is true God gives many chances to repent but one day judgment will come.
- This is why we should also consider Ecclesiastes 9:11 and 12:13-14.
2) For saved people from the church age our judgment will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12 ; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11)
- As for the sins of saved people they were judged at Calvary with Jesus Christ. So this judgment is not about being saved or lost.
- It is about receiving rewards or losing rewards for things done in the body after we are saved (1 Corinthians 3:9-15).
3) If we would judge ourselves we should not be judged (1 Corinthians 11:31)
- When we do sin as a saved person we should judge it as sin and repent from it. When we do this God forgives us of our sin.
4) His judgments are righteous (2 Thessalonians 1:6 ; Psalm 119:160)
- The judgment of God is always right and he knows everything. Therefore we are not going to get away with anything but we will also not be charged with anything we did not do either.
The judgment of God is real and one day we will all stand before God and give an account. If we would remember these things they will not only be a help to keep us on the straight and narrow but they can be as comfort as well.
A Study in 2 Thessalonians : Lesson #1 God will eventually Judge (2 Thessalonians 1:5-12)
Handout
1) What is the context for the passage in this lesson?
2) List some references that show how Jesus Judges when he returns at the Second Advent.
3) What are some things that we should remember in regards to the judgment of God?