2 Thessalonians 1                                                                           

 

This book pertains to Christ joining us and our gathering back to Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• I'd like to remind you here that in 1 Thessalonians, Paul had sent his letter with Timotheus because he simply couldn't wait to know if they were standing firm and following his teaching.
• It is obvious in this second letter, which followed so soon, that the report was very good.

3 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;

• Paul thanks God that their faith was increasing so greatly and because of their brotherly love for each other.

4 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:

• We take pride in your faith in spite of persecution.
• In a way, you can see yourself in this to a degree, because to teach God's truth and reach our people at this time, you'll be talked about, as we're considered "different" and there may be other tribulations, but Paul says in verse 5.

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:

• God certainly hasn't chosen elect that can't take a bit of tribulation because in the last days, it's going to be a little salty to stand up against the odds we will face.
• So this is according to His plan.
• He tempers us with these troubles and tribulations.
• God is preparing you for that day ahead.

6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

• He knows what's going on, and He deals with those that trouble you.

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

• This book pertains to Christ's returning.
• Who are the first to resurrected? He's talking to the elect, those that understand, those who serve the Lord. Those who are disciples.
• Who are they that will see vengeance? Those who do not accept Christ, who go against Him, or the kenites.

9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

• Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

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.

• In passing, this reminds me that even in the millennium when the saints are gathered together in that city and when Satan gathers all his children one more time to come against them, here comes the Father this time with fire to destroy them and to recompense them for the things they have done both in this world and in the millennium to come.
• Revelation 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

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:

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.

• You were called or chosen as a part of God's plan, and he will use the very elect. Especially in this time, which I believe to be part of the last three and half years.
• We must be especially strong in our faith in this Word of God and in the Holy Spirit.
• We must condition ourselves mentally, that if it be required, we even lay our life down for Him.
• The two witnesses in fact will do this.
• We are not told their identity, but it could be any one of you.
• Remember, these two witnesses need not be great speakers, because God will speak through them.
• Revelation 11, Many people believe the two witnesses, will be Moses and Elijah.
• Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to this temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
  Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
  6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

• Exactly 2520 years from the exile of Benjamin, Iceland became an independent nation.

 

•  The first tribe to be conquered by the Assyrians was Manasseh, in 745 B.C. Exactly 2520 years later America became a nation on July 4, 1776.

 

• Study the book: Abrahamic Covenant, (A study outline of the identity of God's people) By E. Raymond Capt - page 25