:: By Gordon Boughton
Introduction
In WWII, the often controversial General McArthur had to retreat from the Philippines with great losses as the Japanese conquered from the north. He defended his decision by declaring, “I shall return”. From his headquarters in Townsville, he planned and plotted his strategy to recover his losses and eventually defeat Japan. He kept his word and not only returned to the Philippines, but was instrumental in the eventual surrender of Japan.
Jesus has promised to come again. Christians believe He will keep His promise. His coming again was such an important part of Christian faith that compilers of the Christian Calender in the early centuries of the Christian Church, set aside the first 4 weeks of the Christian year as the season of Advent.
The word “advent“derives from Latin, the language of the ancient Roman Empire, and means “the arrival” or “the coming”. You may have seen Advent calendars in the shops and guessed it was something to do with Christmas. Partly true. The more basic idea was that the reminder of Jesus second coming in power would cause everyone to be ready by reinforcing repentance from sin and turning to Christ, believing His word and serving Him faithfully. Having done all that, everyone can celebrate the first coming of Jesus, ie, His birth on Christmas Day.
This new season of Advent (“the arrival” or “the coming”) actually began last Sunday. You may have noticed the change of colour up front to purple. This colour denotes the quality of penitence ie being open to the Holy Spirit’s work of convicting of sin, wasting no time to repent, and growing in Christ.
Many Bible passages refer to the Second Coming of Christ eg Matthew 24, John 14, Acts 1:11, 1 Corinthians 15, I &II Thessalonians, II Peter 3 and many more. Not all are easy to understand and Christians can’t agree on all the details. But it is clear that
1. The risen, ascended bodily Jesus is coming again
2. We are not told exactly or even approximately when
3. We are urged to be ready at any time
4. We need not be terrified, but rather encouraged to be faithful in our service of Christ and joyfully anticipating that moment of His return.
5. A balanced view of these things gives us a clear perspective in life and a strong incentive to holiness (2 Peter 3:10,11).
Today we choose 2 Thess 1:1-12, because, amongst other things, while it takes Jesus’ second coming as a given, the overall thrust is encouragement. Nevertheless, there is an implied warning to those who disobey the Gospel.
vv 1,2 A Christian Greeting
How important are greetings? Here’s some examples. Can you work put where from? G’day mate! Ni hao ma? Shalom! Salamwalaykum! Grusse Gotte! Dari mana? The Lord be with you!. Star wars stole this formula with their “May the Force be with you” Notice how verse 2 has a distinctly Christian flavour, with “grace” as well as “peace”(shalom). God is described as “father” in relation to the “son” explicitly as “Jesus Christ”. In our common language today we forget, for example, that “goodbye” means “may God be with you”. Perhaps we should be more God conscious in our greetings and farewells.
Note that Paul is not alone – as usual. So he includes Silvanus (the Silas of Acts) and Timothy in the greeting signature. The general consensus is that Paul is writing from Corinth about 51AD some months after the first letter to the Thessalonians. Much of these letters is given to teaching on the second coming of Christ, reinforcing the certainty and the seriousness, but clarifying misunderstandings and giving practical encouragements.
vv 3-5 A Thanksgiving for Thessalonians increased faith in Christ and love for one another in spite of persecution. A model for us as we have thought about multiplying renewal. Faith? Personal trust in Christ and His promises not a vague optimism nor yet a set of intellectual beliefs. Love? Certainly love for God and its evidence in love e for one another. Not sentimental gushiness, but sacrificial concern and action for the betterment of the other. Paul and others are very much encouraged by the Thessalonians’ remarkable growth under pressure of persecution. Paul clearly wants to encourage them as well.
Here are great examples for us: As a church, be like the Thessalonians growing rapidly in faith and love. As individuals, be like Paul, offer encouragement to one another– verbal and otherwise. When was the last time we told someone we thanked God for them?
vv 6, 7b-9 A warning for those who reject Christ.
Those who have shown that rejection by afflicting the Christians will themselves be afflicted by God. That time of retribution will be at “the revelation of Jesus Christ” that is, His second coming. It will be an awesome moment with Jesus in judgement mode clothed and enveloped in fiery appearance, similar to the description in Revelation 1:12-16, accompanied the multitude of powerful angels ready to obey the obvious majesty of Christ. What a revelation that will be! What a horrible shock to all who have mocked Him and scorned his followers!
Punishment, in verse 8 is the only option, for those who do not know God nor accept His Messiah King. The day of grace is past. No further opportunity to repent. No rehabilitation. Not even a whiff of purgatory – the Roman Catholic heresy which appears to offers nominal Christians a second chance. The two phrases “not know God” and “not obey the Gospel” cover all categories of people before and after Christ, whether they have heard of Him or not. If they haven’t heard of Him nor the Gospel, they will be condemned for their basic disobedience to God the Creator (see Romans 1:18-3:23). They didn’t know God according to faith as did various characters in the Old Testament. Even some who did hear the Gospel will claim entry to God’s Kingdom, but Jesus will declare “I never knew you (Matt 7:21-23)!” Thus we must be careful that we are not in either category – not knowing God and not obeying the Gospel. How? By making sure that we have really repented from disobedient self rule and surrendered to Jesus Christ as Lord and actually trusting him as saviour. If you are not at all sure, speak to me or Andrew or another senior Christian and find that assurance of eternal security through the promises in then Bible.
vv 7a, 10 A Further Encouragement for those who receive Christ and persevere as a Christian
While the second coming of Christ is punishment for those who persecute Christians ie who don’t know God and disobey the Gospel, it is vindication for the disciples of Christ. The followers for Christ are right and those who trouble them are wrong. In 7a, there is more. There is a welcome relief from that actual and potential affliction for simply being a Christian. Verse 10 a goes to say that the Thessalonian Christians will be included in the great throng of God’s people in whom Jesus will be glorified and by whom H e will be marvelled and adored. Paul’s assurance of their salvation is soundly based on their faith in Jesus as attested by Paul. This is great encouragement to persevere in our faith against the world the flesh and the Devil. When Jesus comes again, our struggles and perseverance will result in great glory.
vv 11,12 A prayer to live in such a way as to please Christ. In the mean time we will have our ups and downs through the various stages of life – until we die or Jesus comes again before we die. Whatever the case, we need the grace of Christ to keep going and to keep growing. To be counted worthy of his calling. Not worthy, in and of ourselves, but by grace, not only saved but continuing in salvation and reckoned as worthy because that grace and faith has issued powerfully in perseverance and the fruit of good ideals and actions. For this Paul heartily prays so that, in the long run, the name of Jesus may be glorified in them (and they in Him) according to the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Just imagine someone is praying like this for you. Are we living as an answer to this prayer? I trust so. If not repent and amend your life.
Are you praying this prayer for others? It is a good one isn’t it? Use it regularly for your loved ones and friends. When you get the opportunity, tell them that’s how you pray for them.
Jesus is Coming again – Are you Worried?
Which answer or answers best fits you?
“Yes, I believe Jesus will come again. I’m not a committed Christian, so it will be quite terrifying unless I cave in and surrender my life to Christ.”
“No, I don’t believe it! Not scared a bit!”
“Yes, I am worried but not for myself. My best friend in not a Christian.”
“No, I’m not worried, because by God’s grace I have repented from sin, turned to Christ in faith, trust His death on the cross and His promise of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit and eternal life. Although I’m not perfect, I believe I am on track in serving others for Christ’s sake.”
If none, try writing your own.
Whatever you do, clarify your own response and talk to me or Andrew whether you are worried or no. As you articulate your degree or faith – or otherwise, It gives us a starting point in any pastoral ministry we can humbly offer you.