2 Thessalonians 1, Tribulation, and Wrath

Ron Wallace talked about the Thessalonian church undergoing great affliction at the present time from a group of persecutors who are quite severe in their attacks on these believers. In fact, the affliction is so great that it resembles very closely the quality of persecution that will exist during the time of great affliction (tribulation) that Jesus taught about. The word for affliction here and for tribulation in Matthew 24:9 and 21 is the same word in the Greek, the noun - thlipsis; and the verb thlibo. At the time of writing to the Thessalonians, the world conditions are such that the events leading up to the Day-of-the-Lord return of Jesus could begin to take place at any time. In other words, the time of affliction that they are going through, could very easily escalate into the great affliction. If that were to happen, then they need to know that Jesus promised them deliverance from the severity of that time so that the vast majority of His believing brethren (the elect, church age believers, Hebrews 2:10-11) would not undergo the death blows from the beast. For he will try to kill all believers in Jesus (Revelation 12:17; 13:7, 15; Daniel 7:25), but will not totally succeed because the time of his oppression will be cut short (Matthew 24:22) by the return of Jesus. And that promise is exactly what Paul reaffirms to them in this letter. A very important point of introduction is to recognize that there is only ONE second coming. That is, what Jesus taught about His coming (the coming of the Son of Man) and what the apostles taught about His coming all refer to the one and the same return of Jesus in the clouds of the sky. At that time, the resurrection of ALL believers who have died since Adam will occur, and the resurrection of all living believers will occur; and all of these will meet with Jesus in the sky, and will be escorted to heaven where they will begin preparation for their home and function in God's plan for eternity. This passage before us is key to understanding that when Jesus comes back to gather His saints to Himself, as described at 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, it will be a visible, physical and glorious revelation of God's glory, accompanied by His angels, just as Jesus taught at every recorded mention of the event. This chapter is vital and pivotal for establishing the UNITY of all the second coming passages that occur in the New Testament. Concerning these believers, as indicated at 2thes 1:4, Paul often spoke about “your endurance and faith in the midst of your persecutions and afflictions which you are tolerating.” At verses 5-6, he wrote about God’s judgment upon the persecutors. He said, It is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment . . . since indeed, it is just for God to repay with affliction. He also mentioned the RESULT of faithful endurance. Continuing at verse 6 - with the result that you are considered worthy of the kingdom of God, on behalf of which also you are suffering. This experience of affliction from those who are rejecters of God and of God's plan of salvation, is simply evidence that God is righteous and just in judging them. It is their own actions that condemn them. And at the same time it vindicates the faithfulness of the believers because it demonstrates that they are walking worthy of their place in the family of God. As the believer endures such persecution and affliction, he testifies to the reality of his salvation relationship with God. This faithful consistency in the face of tribulation (thlipsis) is a testimonial beacon to the believer's status as a child of God, and to God's GRACE provision for the believer, which is the basis for that believer’s faithful devotion and endurance. Continuing at verse 6 - Since indeed, it is just for God to repay with affliction those who are afflicting you, the construction,