This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on 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.
2 Thessalonians 1:7b-10 NIV
The church at Thessalonica was poor and had experienced suffering at the hands of those around them. They had very little. But what they did have was faith in the Lord Jesus and love for each other (2 Thess. 1:3). And Paul assured them that God would not forget what they had suffered for his sake. God would reward them for their faithfulness and punish those who had troubled them. This would not occur immediately. But it was something they could look forward to.
The Lord’s Return
The second coming of Jesus is a topic that many enjoy discussing. Many books have been written on the subject, and countless hours have been spent debating the different views that have been developed surrounding this event. And Paul addresses this topic here. But for him and his audience, this was not an academic exercise. Instead, it was an encouragement to them to be faithful. He tells them that Jesus is indeed returning. And this time, he will be coming with glory, in a blazing fire, and with his powerful angels.
Paul gave this church assurance that those who are causing them trouble would be punished for what they were doing. We might debate what that punishment is like. But it is eternal. And it is just. We do not have to fight with those who oppose the gospel of the Lord Jesus. Our Lord will deal with that when he returns. We just need to be faithful to his call in our lives. Look forward to that time when the Lord Jesus is revealed, and let nothing sway you from devotion to him.
