06/17/2026
Good evening, today we are starting the book of 2 Thessalonians.
But first please keep the persecuted Church in your prayers. Our brothers and sisters need them desperately. Open doors and Voice of the Martyrs are good organizations that help in this area.
Now on to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 1 - 10
“This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always and indeed are morally obligated [as those in debt] to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is fitting, because your faith is growing ever greater, and the [unselfish] love of each one of you toward one another is continually increasing. We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. For indeed it is righteous with God to repay those oppressing you? with tribulation, and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. who will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day [that is, glorified through the changed lives of those who have accepted Him as Savior and have been set apart for His purpose], and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed andtrusted [and confirmed in your lives]”
Wow as always there is a lot there.
There a few things that I would like to point out.
1) the Lord Jesus paid a big price for our redemption. He offers to us this free for us gift. There is only 2 paths, we are given to our sin nature, or we are given to Christ Jesus. If we are given to our sin nature we will think of a multitude of ways to get to heaven, good works, be a good neighbor, practice a certain religion, etc. but Jesus says “I am The Way , The Truth, and The Life, no one comes before the Father except by me ( Jesus)
That is about as clear as you can make it. The consequences for not excepting His free gift is quite severe to say the least. An eternity never ending forever and ever being from the presence of God, in hell, there’ll be no rest. There will only be torment and no Hope at all. The choice is clear, the way is clear.
2) for those who have excepted that free gift. The opposite is true. We will enjoy eternity in the presence of God with nothing separating that ever again. We will have Rest, and relaxation, etc. work will not be strenuous but enjoyable all the time. But too bask in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forever I can’t think of anything better. I can’t wait.
Amen
