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; 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: 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: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not 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 them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day (2 Thessalonians 1:3-10)
The church of the Thessalonians believed the gospel (the good news) of Paul and the others, which came in the midst of much conflict not only in word, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. Under much affliction, they had received their words with joy of the Holy Ghost. They believed their words, which came from God and accepted the faith in Christ, and became followers of them and of the Lord.
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12)
They turned from their idols to serve the true and living God and accepted the exhortations to walk worthy and holy unto the Lord, because that’s the will of God (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (Read also: ‘The will of God vs the will of the devil‘ and ‘The process of sanctification’)).
They were seated in Christ and represented, preached, and brought the Kingdom of God to the people.
They walked together by which was directed toward God and their faith grew exceedingly en their love (charity) towards each other abound.
They didn’t change the words of God and didn’t compromise, so that they could live a peaceful and comfortable life without any hindrances and be loved and accepted by the world, but they remained faithful to the words of God and persevered in the truth of God, despite all their sufferings, and the persecutions and tribulations of people, which they endured.
The Thessalonians were worthy of the Kingdom of God
Their patience (steadfastness) and faith during all their sufferings, persecutions, and tribulations were a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that they would be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which they suffered. Because if you belong to God, you shall be an enemy of the world and shall be hated and experience persecution, because you testify of their evil works (John 7:7; 16:8).
They obeyed the words of God and did the will of God and preached the gospel, despite the consequences. They had laid their own life down and followed and obeyed Jesus and loved Him above all.
The responsibility of the believers
The believers were responsible for doing what Jesus, Who is the Head of His Body, had commanded the believers to do. It was the responsibility of the believers to preach the truth of the gospel of Christ and bring the Kingdom of God to the people and call them to repentance (Read also: ‘The call to repentance and ‘What is repentance?‘).
Then it was up to the people, if they would believe their words and repent of their sin and sinful life and by faith become born again in Christ or they would reject their words. That decision was up to the people. Therefore, the people were responsible for the decision they would make after hearing God’s Word.
The believers had not received the commandment of Jesus to recompense the evil of the people, who were responsible for their sufferings, persecutions, and tribulations, because that was to God.
Taking vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
Since it was just in the sight of God to recompense tribulation to those who troubled them, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Because those, who don’t know God and don’t obey the gospel of Jesus Christ will 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 them that believe in that day.
The future of the sons of God and the sons of the devil
This is what the future looks like for those, who are faithful to God and patient and persevere in the faith, during their sufferings for the gospel and the persecutions and tribulation and are worthy of the Kingdom of God, and for those, who don’t know God and don’t obey the gospel of Jesus Christ and persecuted and troubled the sons of God (both males and females).
Being the Kingdom of God
Let this be an encouragement and incentive to preach the truth of God, despite the sufferings and the persecution and tribulation, that come with preaching the truth of God and bringing the Kingdom of God.
Let the believers be worthy of the Kingdom of God and seek the things which are above and in obedience to Jesus Christ, the Head, do what Jesus has commanded to do and walk holy after the will of God and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God and call the people to repentance and the removal of sin and to live a holy life, so that they shall become partakers of eternal life, and Jesus shall not baptize them with fire (Read also: ‘What does the baptism with fire mean?‘).
‘Be the salt of the earth’
