THE RIGHTEOUS VENGEANCE OF GOD
Brent Logan – Missionary to Romania/Eastern Europe
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2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 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.
VARIOUS THOUGHTS:
Cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 – We are appointed to persecution and affliction. So do not allow persecution and affliction to move you.
You can’t be worthy. But you can be counted worthy of something you’re not worthy of (Romans 4:5-6). Do we live in such a way that the world would count us worthy?
If the Thessalonians could endure persecution and tribulation, can’t we be a little more worthy? Can’t we live a little more righteously? Can’t we be a little more godly? We’re not living godly enough to be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).
How to be counted worthy (Matthew 10; Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10):
1. Hear/received the word (vv. 10-14)
2. Love Jesus more than anyone/anything else (v. 37)
THE VENGEANCE OF GOD:
The vengeance of God is a righteous thing. God is not wrong for destroying the wicked. He would rather save them (Ezekiel 33:11), but He is holy, just, and good.
Romans 12:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Psalm 58:10-11 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
As we are counted worthy of the kingdom of God, the wicked are counted worthy of God’s vengeance.
v. 8, because they knew not God
If you don’t know God it’s because you don’t want to know Him (Philippians 3:10).
v. 8, because they obeyed not the gospel
You ought to get saved because God commanded you to (Acts 17:30; 1 John 3:23).
v. 10, because they did not believe
These people had advance warning of the judgment, but refused to believe it (2 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 11:7).
OTHER QUOTES:
Don’t tell me you’re following the Lord if you can’t follow a man (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 3:17; Hebrews 6:12)…You’re following somebody, and it’s probably the person who told you not to follow a man.
If you try to settle all the scores in your own life, you’re a foolish individual (Romans 12:19-21; Psalm 58:10-11).
