1 THESSALONIANS 2:14-20 - PERSECUTION AND PLEASURE

1 THESSALONIANS 2:14-20

PERSECUTION AND PLEASURE

1 Thessalonians 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

Believers throughout history have suffered persecution from hostile non-believers, even within their own countries, cities, and households. In Judea, the followers of Christ were persecuted, ejected from the synagogues and the temple, by those Jews who did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah. The Thessalonians were being persecuted by their neighbors who still clung to idol worship rather than trust in Jesus as Lord.

1 Thessalonians 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

Paul goes back to talking about the persecution of believers by the Jews. The Jewish leaders were the ones who demanded Jesus’ death. They could not legally put him to death themselves, so they manipulated the Roman official, Pilate, into having Him crucified. They incited the crowd to riotous behavior, demanding the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus. At times, the Jewish people were yo-yos: faithful to unfaithful, obedient to disobedient. They were a microcosm of the human condition. If they did not like what a prophet had to say, they would slay the man of God rather than change their ways. Jesus Himself spoke of this:

Luke 11:47-48 (NIV) “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. 48 So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.

The Jews were no longer pleasing to God because of their unbelief. Their legalism overwhelmed their loyalty to their first love and left them empty because they refused to recognize their own Messiah in the person of Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

The Jewish leadership had forbidden preaching the Good News of Jesus, a prohibition Paul obviously ignored. The final wrath of God will come upon these non-believing Jews as well all who reject the Lord Jesus. Paul prophetically speaks as if this future event has already happened which it has in the mind of the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 2:17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Paul indicated that although he and his companions were not with the Thessalonians in person, the connection through the Holy Spirit was sure, certain, and strong. He desired to see them again but had been hindered by spiritual warfare.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Paul’s greatest joy would be presenting the fruit of their labor, the Thessalonian believers, holy and blameless because of their belief, when the Lord Jesus returns. His glory came from glorifying the Lord by leading others to a relationship with Him.

QUESTIONS:

1.       Have you been ridiculed, maybe even persecuted, because of your relationship with Jesus? If so, you are in good company. Like Paul would say, “Press on!”

2.       Will you have the joy of seeing people in Heaven to whom you brought the Good News? Will you experience the joy and glory Paul wrote about?