Calendardate: November 24
Day of the Year: 328
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 2Thessalonians
Encouragement for Those who Suffer Physical or Mental Abuse
Physical brutality hurts our bodies. Mental cruelty hurts our spirits. Many of us have received messages, whether written or verbal, with the express intent to discourage and distress us. What encouragement is there for those who suffer from physical or mental abuse? We'll find out in this lesson.
While on his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul writes another letter to the church in Thessalonica. It has two purposes.
- To encourage the followers of Christ who are standing firm in times of persecution,
- To refute some false teaching regarding the Day of the Lord, which Paul mentioned in his first letter (1Thessalonians 5:1-3).
In today’s Bible reading, the Thessalonian believers are experiencing both physical and mental suffering. They long for Christ’s return. Perhaps we’ve felt the same way.
Why Christians Suffer
Paul is encouraged they’re still standing firm in the face of adversity. Their testimony is becoming known far and wide among the churches.
What is the purpose of their suffering? It’s encouraging other believers to stand firm. Although they may not understand it, their faith in adversity gives courage to other believers to endure hardships for Christ. This proves that God’s judgment is right in allowing them to be persecuted (2Thessalonians 1:5).
One purpose of adversity in our life may be the same—our faith during challenging times encourages others. They may then think or say, “If those Christians can stand strong in difficult circumstances, so can we!”
What will God do about Injustices?
This question must've entered the minds of the Thessalonians. Paul assures them God is just and will vindicate them. There’ll be eternal punishment for evil people after Jesus comes back. Until that time, however, the Thessalonian believers must persevere.
Persecution Purges our Spiritual Lives of Impurities
When we persevere in faith, we confess our sins, walk closer to God, and our faith and love become more vital. As a result, our prayers become more powerful, and we glorify the King of Heaven (2Thessalonians 1:3-4; 11-12; 2:13-17; 3:5). .Mental Cruelty
Along with physical persecutions, the Thessalonians suffered mental persecutions. Paul told the Thessalonians in the first letter they have hope. Jesus is coming back to snatch them up to heaven to escape the coming wrath in the Day of the Lord (1Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:9).
The Day of the Lord, a period of judgment, starts at the snatching up (rapture) of the church (meaning every true believer in Christ). It ends after the return of Christ to the earth to conquer and rule the nations.
False teachers were mentally cruel in telling the Thessalonians the Day of the Lord had already come—they missed it! With all the physical persecution they were suffering, this teaching was easy to believe. The Apostle Paul said the Day of the Lord won’t be revealed, however, until the man of lawlessness appears. Who is this man of lawlessness?
Identify the Enemy
He is someone commonly referred to as the antichrist and will be revealed during the Day of the Lord. Paul says,
Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, NIV).Much earlier in Bible history, a strange heavenly being predicted the coming of this man in a vision shown to the prophet Daniel.
The king [a probable reference to the man of lawlessness] will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place (Daniel 11:36, NIV).Revelation 13 refers to this lawless man as the beast who draws his power from the dragon (another name for Satan; Revelation 12:9).
Pay No Attention to Lies
What are the Thessalonians to do about this false teaching? Paul instructs them to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us” (2 Thessalonians 2:15, NIV).
What are we to do about mental cruelty? Remember the truth and pay no attention to lies. Consider the source—let’s not be swayed by false messages. We need to think clearly about what the Scriptures teach and stand firm with what we know is the truth.
Paul offers a prayer of blessing for the Thessalonians before he closes his letter:
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word (2Thessalonians 2:16-17, NIV).
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance (2 Thessalonians 3:5, NIV).
Stay Busy
Finally, like the first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul exhorts the believers to be busy, not busybodies (2 Thessalonians 3:11). By doing so, they might maintain excellent testimonies before others.
We shouldn’t get discouraged and turned aside from following the Lord when we’re suffering. We should cling to him, keep busy, and maintain a positive testimony, an excellent example for others to follow.
Discussion
What is one reason why Christians suffer?
What should we do about mental distress perpetrated by false teachers?
Focus Verse
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NIV) “And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: Being a Christian is not easy and Satan can oppose us. How do we handle spiritual adversity? Find out in our next lesson as we return to the book of Acts and read about Paul's Third Missionary Journey.
Last re-edited 11/24/24
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