(Continued: Chapter VII-The Second Coming of the Messiah )

In verse 10 one sees that the earth will be greatly rent (Ps. 60:2) and that new rivers will flow. In this verse the mountains are thought of as people who are terrified by the sights which they behold. The sea is likewise personified. It lifts up its voice on high—in surrender to the Lord of all the earth.


E. The Heavenly Bodies Affected By The Second Coming Of Messiah


    11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation,
    At the light of thine arrows as they went,
    At the shining of thy glittering spear (Hab. 3:11).

The sun, moon, and stars are likewise thought of as intelligent beings that in amazement stand in awe at the light of Jehovah's arrows speeding on their way and at the shining of His glorious spear.


F. Messiah's Marching Through The Land of Israel


12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation: Thou didst thresh the nations in anger (Hab. 3:12).

According to this verse, Jehovah will thresh the nations of the world by His mighty power (cf. Zech. 14:1ff.).


G. The Last Great War

    13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people,
    For the salvation of thine anointed;
    Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked man,
    Laying bare the foundation even unto the neck. [Selah]
    14 Thou didst pierce with his own staves the head of his warriors:
    They came as a whirlwind to scatter me;
    Their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly (Hab. 3:13,14).


19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone: 21 and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, even the sword which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh (Rev. 19:19-21).

In this Scripture we learn that this last war is fought in order that Jehovah may deliver His people Israel. In this titanic struggle the Lord deals a death blow to the last ruler of this earth, the Antichrist. The generalissimo of the Antichrist in charge of the titanic struggle is slain. Those leading the armies of the enemy come with high expectation, but their hopes are blasted as they go down in defeat.

H. The Prophet's Depressed Spirit Comforted

    16 I heard, and my body trembled,
    My lips quivered at the voice;
    Rottenness entereth into my bones, and I tremble in my place;
    Because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble,
    For the coming up of the people that invadeth us.
    17 For though the fig-tree shall not flourish,
    Neither shall fruit be in the vines;
    The labor of the olive shall fail,
    And the fields shall yield no food;
    The flock shall be cut off from the fold,
    And there shall be no herd in the stalls:
    18 Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah,
    I will joy in the God of my salvation.
    19 Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength;
    And he maketh my feet like hinds'
    feet,
    And will make me to walk upon my high places (Hab. 3:16-19).


The vision of the invasion of the State of Israel, first by the Chaldeans (Hab.1:5-11), and by the armies of the world in the end time, and the subsequent destruction of the country, caused the Prophet to be spiritually depressed. Since the whole land will be turned into a battleground, food throughout the country will be reduced to a minimum. There will be untold suffering, but the Prophet rises on the wings of faith and sees the glorious outcome of Messiah's appearance.

IV. MESSIAH'S SECOND COMING ACCORDING TO THE LORD JESUS


John the Baptist broke the silence of the interbiblical period of four hundred years by proclaiming, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2). About six months later the Lord Jesus began His public ministry, saying, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:17). Constantly He talked about the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew, chapter 13, appears the seven parables of the kingdom of heaven. After Jesus had risen from the dead, He appeared to the disciples during the period of forty days which intervened between His Resurrection and His Ascension, "... speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3). Jesus was a master teacher. His language is clear and understandable. Having so very much teaching on the subject of the kingdom, the disciples evidently had a clear-cut idea concerning it. Since Jesus laid such great emphasis upon it, obviously that doctrine is of paramount importance.

A. The Promise Of Restoring The Kingdom To Israel

According to Luke 24:50-52, Jesus went with His disciples to a position over against Bethany and from there ascended to heaven. At the time of His departure, the apostles gathered around Him and asked Him this most important question, "Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). To this question He replies, "It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority" (Acts 1:7). According to this statement, God has set the times and seasons when He will restore the kingdom to Israel. Have we any scriptural proof to this effect? Yes. Amos, one of the earliest writing prophets, foretells that the people of Israel will be spued out of the land of their fathers, be scattered among the nations, and be regathered eventually to their own country. This prophecy is found in Amos 9:7-15:

7 Are ye not as the children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith Jehovah. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? 8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord Jehovah are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; save that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith Jehovah. 9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations, like as grain is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least kernel fall upon the earth. 10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, who say, The evil shall not overtake nor meet us.

11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old; 12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the nations that are called by my name, saith Jehovah that doeth this. 13 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. 14 And I will bring back the captivity of my people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be plucked up out of their land which I have given them, saith Jehovah thy God.

Figuratively speaking, God has a blueprint of the nations and their territories throughout all time.

    8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,
    When he separated the children of men,
    He set the bounds of the peoples
    According to the number of the children of Israel.
    9 For Jehovah's portion is his people;
    Jacob is the lot of his inheritance (Deut. 32:8,9).

According to Paul's speech on Mars' Hill in Athens, God "made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: 28 for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring" (Acts 17:26-28).

According to the Deuteronomy verses, God places His people Israel in the center of the earth (Ezek. 38:12) and makes them, figuratively speaking, the hub of the nations. All the nations and their activities revolve around Israel. According to the passage from Acts, God indicates on His blueprint the time of the rise, the expansion or contraction, or the fall of each nation.

According to Amos 9:7, God shifts the nations whenever He chooses to do so in accordance with His plan. He, therefore, brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. He declares His purpose to destroy the kingdom of Israel, which He calls "the sinful kingdom," from the face of the earth (v. 8). This prediction was completely fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Jewish commonwealth was overthrown by the Romans. According to verse 9, He sifts the nation of Israel and scatters the people among the nations of the earth. This prophecy began its fulfillment in A.D. 70 and continues to the present time. According to verse 10, the Lord will by the sword destroy all the sinners of the Jewish people who say, "The evil shall not overtake nor meet us." This prediction will be fulfilled in the time of Jacob's trouble (Jer. 30:7), the Tribulation.

According to verse 11, "In that day," declares God, "will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old." This prophecy obviously foretells the restoration of the Davidic dynasty and kingdom as in the days of old. The dynasty and the kingdom of David are thought of in terms of a tent, or tabernacle, that stood in its glory at one time. Later it is destroyed, but finally it will be raised up and restored in all its glory.

In Amos 9:13-15 is the prediction of the earth when the curse is lifted and all vegetation brings forth its full strength. Israel then will rebuild the waste places and inhabit the country, enjoying life to the fullest. In other words, this passage is a prediction of the Millennial Age, so far as Israel is concerned.

A second passage which foretells the restoration of the kingdom to Israel is Micah 4:1-8

But in the latter days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem; 3 and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of Jehovah of hosts hath spoken it. 5 For all the peoples walk every one in the name of his god; and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God for ever and ever. 6 In that day, saith Jehovah, will I assemble that which is lame, and I will gather that which is driven away, and that which I have afflicted; 7 and I will make that which was lame a remnant, and that which was cast far off a strong nation: and Jehovah will reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth even for ever. 8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, yea, the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

In this prophecy Jerusalem is visualized as becoming the capital of a warless, sinless, sickless world. At that time the God of Jacob will reign in Zion. The peoples of the earth will make constant pilgrimages to Jerusalem as the capital of the world, in order to hear Jehovah teach them His ways and the Word of God. From then on there will he no more wars. Peace will reign supremely over all nations.

According to verses 6 and 7, Jehovah will in that day regather the outcasts of Israel and restore His people to the land of their fathers. At that time "Jehovah will reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth even for ever" (v. 7). Jehovah personally will be in Mount Zion (Jerusalem) and will reign there over Israel, and, as we see in many other related passages, over the entire world. This same promise of Jehovah's reigning in Zion is most graphically set forth in Zephaniah 3:14-17:

14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15 Jehovah hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even Jehovah, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not fear evil any more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; O Zion, let not thy hands be slack. 17 Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing (Zeph. 3:14-17).

The same promise of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel found in these passages is likewise found in Jeremiah 3:16-18:

16 And it shall come to pass, when ye are multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith Jehovah, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of Jehovah;  neither shall it come to mind; neither shall they remember it; neither shall they miss it; neither shall it be made any more. 17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart. 18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance unto your fathers.

At that day Jerusalem shall be called "the throne of Jehovah; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem ..." (v. 17).

Returning now to Micah 4:1-8, one sees that Jehovah, the Lord Jesus, who is God in human form, will reign in person in Mount Zion. At that time the outcasts of Israel will be gathered back to the land of their fathers. Then there will return to the tower of the flock, "the hill of the daughter of Zion," the former dominion, even "the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem."

Thus, from Amos, Micah, and related passages, it is clear that the prophets teach that the kingdom will be restored to Israel. No one can avoid this conclusion who will take the words of the prophets at their face value. That the former dominion shall be restored to Israel is beyond question. There is, however, one bit of information that is not supplied by the prophets, and that is the time when it will be restored. God willed to withhold this information from His people. The apostles were curious to know the times and the seasons when these prophecies will be fulfilled. They, therefore, at the last meeting with the risen Lord asked whether God was going to restore the kingdom to Israel at that time.

B. The Gospel For All Nations

At one of the appearances to the apostles the risen Messiah charged them saying,

All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (Matt. 28:18-20).

At the last appearance of Jesus to the apostles when He ascended to glory, He charged them not "to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which,
said he, ye heard from me: 5 for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence" (Acts 1:4,5). In Acts 1:8 He explains why they were to remain at Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit: "But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

The work that is acceptable to God must be wrought by and in the power of the Spirit of God. Much work can be and doubtless is accomplished by men who are energized by the flesh. Such labor lacks the spiritual element, which alone gives value and worth in the sight of God. Many are engaged in Christian service and appear to be indeed successful. Concerning them, the Lord Jesus said,

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matt. 7:21-23).

In giving the Great Commission to the apostles, the Lord has a world outlook: "make disciples of all the nations" (Matt. 28:19). In Acts 1:8 Jesus says that the apostles are to proclaim the gospel "unto the uttermost part of the earth." The apostles took the Lord seriously and, being energized by the Holy Spirit, they proclaimed the gospel to the entire world in one generation. In the Roman Epistle, which was probably written in A.D. 58, the Apostle Paul declares that the gospel had been preached in the whole world. "But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, Their sound went out into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world" (Rom. 10:18). In the Colossian Letter, written A.D. 63, the Apostle Paul, in speaking of the gospel, says that "it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing ..." (Col. 1:6). Again in Colossians 1:23 he declares that it had been "preached in all creation under heaven ..." These two statements in the Colossian Letter must be taken at their face value, because there is nothing in either context pointing to a meaning other than the literal. One is, therefore, scriptural in saying that the apostles of the early church went everywhere preaching the Word, "in all creation under heaven."

In Acts 1:8 Jesus gives them the plan of procedure: "... and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The Acts of the Apostles gives a brief account of the launching of the world-wide program of evangelizing all nations. An examination of this Book shows that the apostles followed the program made out for them by the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit writing through Luke briefly gives an account of the spreading of the gospel in the Mediterranean world. Tradition tells of the labors of certain of the apostles. Thomas, for instance, is reported to have gone to India; other disciples are said to have gone to China. It would indeed be interesting, from a historical standpoint, to have authentic records of the spreading of the gospel throughout the world. We shall have to be satisfied with the meager, uncertain traditions, and by faith accept the scriptural statements regarding the spreading of Christianity.

C. The Special Message Of Angels Regarding
The Second Coming Of The Messiah

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven (Acts 1:9-11).

While the apostles were looking at the ascending Jesus, two men appeared to them, bringing the joyful news regarding the glorious return of Jesus: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven." These two heavenly heralds are designated as men, because they were angels who assumed the form of men. In Genesis, chapters 18 and 19, is the account of a visit by three men paid to Abraham. One of these men was the Second Person of the Holy Trinity and is called Jehovah. The other two men were angels. In order that they might communicate with Abraham and others in a normal way, they assumed the form of men and are called men. The angels are ministering spirits sent forth to do service for the sake of those who shall inherit salvation (Heb. 1:14).

The two angels declared to the astounded apostles that this Jesus who had been taken up into heaven in a cloud would come in like manner as they had seen Him going into heaven. There seems to be echoed in this angelic announcement at least a part of the vision which was given to Daniel.

13 I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed (Dan. 7:13,14).

Without a doubt, the one who is like unto a son of man in Daniel's vision is Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of man, who, after His Resurrection, was caught up into a cloud as He returned to glory. Daniel was given a vision of the throne room of the universe. Seated upon the throne was God the Father, who is called the "ancient of days." This Son of man comes to the ancient of days, who invests Him with glory, power, and might, installing Him with regal splendor to reign over all nations of the earth. When He is thus crowned King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, He will come on the clouds of heaven to the earth and begin his Messianic reign of one thousand years (Rev. 20:1-5).

When Caiaphas, the high priest, put Jesus on oath to swear whether or not He was—and is—the Messiah of Israel, Jesus replied, "Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matt. 26:64b). In this statement there is also echoed part of Daniel's vision regarding the crowning of King Messiah.

According to the assumption of Jesus in His statement to Caiaphas, He would be executed, but would rise from the dead and ascend to heaven, taking His seat at the right hand of the Almighty on High. Caiaphas would die and go to Sheol—the place of departed spirits. From that place Caiaphas has doubtless cast his gaze toward heaven many times during the two thousand years since the execution of Jesus and has seen Him seated at the right hand of the Almighty. When the set time arrives, the Lord Jesus will arise and come to earth on the clouds of heaven.

In Acts, chapter 3, appears the account of the second message preached by the Apostle Peter in Jerusalem after the Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord Jesus. The speaker calls upon all Israel to repent and to accept Jesus as Lord and Messiah.

Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus: 21 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old (Acts 3:19-21).

The ascended Lord Jesus is being received in heaven, awaiting the time of restoration of all things as foretold by the prophets. God rules and overrules all events, even the free acts of men, and works them into a fabric of providential occurrences, timing and synchronizing events so that each element will be in its proper place at the psychological moment—the set time when Messiah, invited by the penitent people of Israel to return and to become their King, rends the heavens and returns to earth. When He does come, every eye shall see Him. "Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even So, Amen" (Rev. 1:7).

V. MESSIAH'S SECOND COMING ACCORDING TO THE APOSTLE PAUL

Frequently one hears the expression "the two phases of the Second Coming." Those using this term refer to the Rapture of the Church as the first phase and the glorious coming of the Lord Jesus after the Tribulation as the second phase. As has been shown in Chapter V of this volume, the Rapture of believers occurs before the Tribulation begins; and, as was seen in that discussion, the Scriptures bearing upon this point and studied in the light of their context demand this interpretation.

In the Pauline Epistles there appear a number of passages which sound a prophetic note. These are precious gems of truth that thrill one's heart. In the first Epistle to the Thessalonian Church the Apostle laid emphasis upon the Rapture (I Thess. 1:9,10; 4:13-5:11). In II Thessalonians, chapters 1 and 2, he discusses the second phase of the Lord's Coming, the glorious appearing at the end of the Tribulation. In Romans 8:18-25 is found a marvelous prediction concerning the lifting of the curse and the establishment of the Kingdom of God upon earth.

While in certain passages it is seen that the Rapture of the church saints occurs before the Tribulation begins, in certain other passages there are statements showing conclusively that there are believers here upon earth during the Tribulation—even to the end of it, at the glorious Second Coming of Christ. The Olivet Discourse, Matthew, chapter 24, is conclusive on this point. It foretells the destruction of the Temple at Jerusalem, which occurred in A.D. 70. Thinking that Jesus was speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem in the end of the age, the disciples asked Him, "What
shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world [age] ?" (v. 3).

In verses 4 and 5 Jesus warns the disciples against being led astray by false messiahs. In verse 6 He speaks of the Christian Dispensation as being characterized by wars and rumors of wars, and speaks of the disciples as being present throughout the dispensation. In verses 9-28 He discusses the Tribulation with which the Christian Age closes. In verse 9, still talking to the apostles, He says that they will be hated of all nations for His Name's sake. In verse 15, which is speaking of the events in the middle of the Tribulation, Jesus, still addressing the disciples, answers, "When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation ..." From this language it would appear that there will be disciples on earth in the middle of the Tribulation. According to verse 20, Jesus, still talking to the disciples, says, "And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter ..."

A careful perusal of the first twenty-eight verses of Matthew, chapter 24, shows that the apostles to whom Jesus is talking are spoken of as if they would be here upon earth from the time He is speaking to them until the end of the Tribulation. Is this interpretation reasonable? To take it literally is out of the question. All the apostles passed on to be with the Lord during the first century of the Christian Era, although throughout the passage, which covers the entire Christian Dispensation and the Tribulation, the Lord speaks as though they would be present on earth all during this time. From all the facts involved, it is clear that in the mind of Jesus He is speaking of believers in Him who would be living at the various stages of the period. Thus the believers living in the first century could understand the message thoroughly and could apply it to themselves. Those believers in Him in our day can read the message and act accordingly. Finally, the tribulation saints—those who turn to the Lord during the Tribulation—will also be able to understand the message and act thereupon.

We find the same situation in the Olivet Discourse as recorded in Luke, chapter 21. In verse 11 Jesus speaks about supernatural events of the end time. In verse 12 He says, "But before all these things, they shall lay their hands on you, and shall persecute you ..." From the immediate context it is clear that in verses 12-19 He is speaking about the experiences through which the apostles would pass, living normal lives. But in verses 20-24 He is speaking about the events of A.D. 70—the destruction of the Jewish commonwealth. The pronoun "you" refers to the disciples who would be living at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem. In verses 25-28 Jesus moves forward in His thinking and speaks about the events of the end time and concludes His special remarks by saying, "But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh."

It is clear from the facts of the immediate context that Jesus is talking about the believers in Him who will be living in the end time, although He does use the same pronoun which He uses throughout the Discourse.

Thus, in the New Testament, as well as in the Old Testament, the people of God are thought of as constituting a unit; and the messages addressed to Christians of the first century are applicable to Christians living at any time, even in the end of the age. Principal and basic facts are true, regardless of time and circumstances. The New Testament Epistles were addressed to individuals and groups then in existence; for instance, the Thessalonian Letters were written to the Church at Thessalonica of Paul's day. What he said to them is just as true now as if it were addressed to Christians today for the first time.

In II Thessalonians 1:3-10 is a very comprehensive and clear statement of the coming of the Lord and of His dealings with both saint and sinner. To expound this passage adequately involves too much space—because of its many ramifications. If the reader will study carefully each word in its relation to others, he can get a fairly accurate idea of the teaching of the passage. God causes His people to pass through various experiences designed for their good and for their spiritual development. God is righteous indeed in thus dealing with His people. He acts "that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 if so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you, 7 and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, 8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus ..." (vv. 5b-8). When the Lord Jesus comes in fulfillment of this prediction, He will deal with two classes of people: the saints, "you that are afflicted," and sinners, "them that afflict you." He will recompense rest to the saints, but affliction to the sinners.





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