Worthy of the Kingdom of God

“For this is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you also suffer,” (2Thessalonians 1:5)

Paul, Silas and Timothy had ministered to the Thessalonians and now because of great persecution, they left Thessalonia, but Timothy is returned to establish their faith and comfort them in their persecution. Since Timothy is Greek and Jewish, he is better suited to return freely and without trouble.

Paul tells the Thessalonians who were suffering great persecution that their sufferings were concrete proof from God that they were worthy of the kingdom of God. They were not to consider it punishment or proof of abandonment by God or the church. In the following verses, he explains this. “...since it is a righteous thing with God to repay tribulation to those who trouble you, and to give rest with us to you who are troubled, at the revealing of the Lord Jesus from Heaven with the angels of His power, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey 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 He shall come to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all those who believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that Day.” (2Thessalonians 1:6-10) In other words, he is telling them that although they are suffering now, God is preparing vengeance with punishment and destruction for the persecutors which is coming when He appears with all the saints. This must have been encouraging to the Thessalonians because it signaled that their affliction would come to an end. No matter what kind of affliction, hardship, persecution or tribulation we are going through, it’s easier to endure and persevere when we know it has an end.

The Philippians were also suffering persecution, and Paul writes to them saying that their sufferings are concrete evidence of destruction against their adversaries, but for them, it’s concrete evidence that their salvation is from God. “Only let your conduct be as becomes the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you, or else am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and terrified in nothing by your adversaries. For this is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.” (Philippians 1:27-28) This is true, if we are being persecuted or troubled by an enemy or suffering hardship of some other kind. It’s all proof that we belong to God and that the suffering has an end of victory for our eternity. Peter wrote it this way, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of God and of glory rests on you. Truly according to them, He is blasphemed, but according to you He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or a meddler in the affairs of others. But if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God because of this. For the time has come for the judgment to begin from the house of God. And if it first begins from us, what will be the end of those disobeying the gospel of God? And if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1Peter 4:14-18) Peter extends his explanation implying that your suffering is shameful if your suffering is for an occasion of sin. The importance is that Peter reiterates the glory that the Lord receives when we suffer for the Name of Christ. We are judged first and we are found barely guiltless. He asks us to think about the judgement of the guilty.

To the Hebrews, Paul writes, “Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) He urges the Hebrews to have patience and to consider Jesus Who suffered the cross and Who is rewarded eternally.

God is just and judges rightly is the theme Paul expounds. Over and over he makes sure they understand that God will reward those who are obedient and punish the disobedient. Who are the obedient ones? Those who have believed on Jesus and are obedient to God’s requirement of salvation are the obedient ones. Who are the disobedient ones? Those who refuse Jesus and are intent on hurting the ones following Jesus are the ones who will suffer God’s wrath and destruction.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul is resolute about the whole business of suffering in faith. “For faithful is the Word, for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” (2Timothy 2:11-12) In our suffering, we must remain in faith, believing the suffering will come to an end and that God’s righteous judgement will punish the persecutor. If we fail to endure and throw in the towel by turning from our faith and turning from God, He will turn from us.

While we do not suffer persecution in free nations like the brethren who live in nations that restrict the Gospel or are hostile to the Gospel, our persecution is subtle to outright demonstrations of scoffing and ridicule since believers are thought to be naïve and gullible. Rejection is paramount in the workplace and frowned upon in the public schools. Restrictions are in place to prevent prayer and preaching. While I believe that we are in our jobs to complete the job, free time like breaks and lunch should permit whatever expression we want in our faith as long as we are considerate of others who don’t share our faith.

We have a commandment to make disciples. “Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Many have believed this to say to go to the nations, which is not a bad thing. But the word “nations” is “ethnos” which literally means people or heathens. Simply put, Jesus is telling us to tell those who don’t believe on Him yet, unbelievers. And we can do that in our communities, our cities, states and countries. We don’t have to travel to other nations. This is not to say that the Lord won’t send some to other nations, because He does call some to certain nations. We should be about the business of sharing the Gospel with those who don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, wherever we are. And I’m sure that when we do, we’ll encounter persecution. Sharing Jesus with an unbeliever is going into the enemy’s camp. And we will experience push back of some kind.  

To summarize, persecution is definite when we follow Jesus. Jesus said, “Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My saying, they will also keep yours.” (John 15:20) We learn from Paul that there is an end to it and there is a reward in it. And we also learn that the persecutor will receive judgement. This all should help us persevere in the face of persecution.

Let us pray:

Father God, You are just in all Your ways, rewarding righteousness and turning from wickedness. You are Goodness and all who reject You are rejected and forever separated from Your Goodness. Father, I ask You to help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to endure any hardships I encounter for the cause of Your Name. Help me to be unashamed of the Gospel when it’s the unpopular choice to make. Help me to boldly proclaim Jesus as the only way to salvation to those who are living in darkness and dying in sin. Give me the right words that will help the unbeliever understand the gift and mercy that You have provided in Jesus. I ask Lord, that You would open up the eyes of understanding of those who hear the Gospel and that they would have ears to hear. Lord I ask that You give me a love for those who don’t know You that goes beyond my need for acceptance or for approval. Help me Lord to display Your love and mercy at all times. Thank You Lord because I know this is Your will. I pray Lord that Your will be done. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.