Are You Commendable or Condemnable?

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

In the Bible there are many instances where people appeared to those who had been waiting on them. Moses appeared to the Israelites after receiving the law from God on Mount Sinai (Ex. 32). Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, and he delayed his appearance so that he arrived four days after Lazarus had died (Jn. 11). The apostles were told by Jesus to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high (Lk. 24:49), and the Holy Spirit appeared on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). With all of these events, there was a fulfillment of their return when it was realized by those who were waiting. Today, there is a promise that someone is coming, and we who follow Him are looking forward to his appearance. That someone is Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Paul sheds some light on the second coming in his second letter to the Thessalonians. Based on 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 I want us to ask ourselves if we are going to be commendable or condemnable when Jesus returns. God is a righteous judge, and He will administer righteous judgment on the day when Christ comes back (5). It’s going to be a great day for some, but it’s going to be a horrible day for many. Let’s see what Paul reveals about the events pertaining to the revealing of the Son of God.

Jesus will be revealed for commendation

In the context which Paul was writing, the church at Thessalonica had been persecuted. Their perseverance and faith in the midst of all the affliction had been cause for Paul and his companions to speak proudly to the churches about them (4). Paul says they had endured, and they would be considered worthy of the kingdom (5). The way he phrases this reminds me of how the apostles reacted after they had been flogged by the Council: “...rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). With this persecution in mind he words to them the promise that God’s judgment is coming. Before he goes into the details of how God’s judgment will be brought down upon those who will be condemned, let’s see what he says about those who will be commended.

The part of God’s judgment which will be toward those who will be commended will bring relief to those who are being afflicted as well as others who are being persecuted (7). When we tend to think of relief, we think of instant relief. There are heartburn and headache medicines which are designed to bring relief very quickly. Upon reading this text you might think that Paul is talking about instant relief, but keep in mind this is in reference to the second coming of Christ. Why would Paul bring this up to the church at Thessalonica if relief wasn’t coming until that day?

It seems that God is concerned with the big picture, when He will finally put an end to those who are persecuting the church and therefore bring relief to all the saints who need relief. This promise of relief that Paul is giving them is not just toward them, but toward all believers. On that day when the ultimate relief is realized, these saints would glorify and marvel at Christ (10). These are the people who will be commended on that day. Jesus tells two parables in Matthew 25 (the parable of ten virgins & the parable of the talents) and He follows it up with a picture of the judgment. In the parable of the ten virgins, those who were prepared were able to go with the bridegroom to wedding feast. In the parable of the talents, the master commended the faithful slaves by saying “‘well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter in to the joy of your master’” (Mt. 25:21 & 23). In the judgment scene, Christ commends those were on his right saying “’Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Mt. 25:34).

Sometimes we sing the hymn, “What a Day That Will Be.” Those who will be commended on that day will glorify the Lord and marvel at Him (10). Paul told Titus the grace of God has us “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” (Tit. 2:13). When Christ comes back, those who are obedient believers in Him are going to be commended and rewarded with eternal life.

Jesus will be revealed for condemnation

On the flip side of those who will be commended will be those who receive condemnation when Christ returns. When Jesus is “...revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,” (7) there is nothing good that will happen with this part of the judgment.

It is repayment

Some people love payback. They can’t wait to get back at someone who did something bad to them. We need to remember as God’s children that we are to avoid this. Paul said “’Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord’” (Rom. 12:19). On that day when Jesus returns God will repay those who have afflicted His church with persecution.

It is retribution

This is the same word as vengeance in the passage we just mentioned in Romans. Keep in mind that both of these will be administered by the Lord. Not only will this aspect of the Lord’s judgment be toward those who persecute the church, but notice that this retribution is aimed at “...those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (9). This verse is fresh in my mind because Michael Shank brought this up in his book Muscle and a Shovel when he recalled the conversations with his friend, Randall Edges. More people in the world need to obey the gospel so they can avoid the retribution of God.

It is relentless

Paul describes this condemnation as “...eternal destruction...” (9). Jesus elsewhere addressed this concept by describing Hell as “...the eternal fire” (Mt. 18:8). He also says it is “’...the unquenchable fire, where their worm dos not die, and the fire is not quenched’” (Mk. 9:43-44). Hell is a place where the punishment is not going to end, because it is eternal. It is relentless condemnation which will serve as the penalty from the judgment.

It is removal

As if the other things previously mentioned will not be bad enough, part of the condemnation will be the removal of these “...away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power...” (9). One time I got left at the airport in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. That was not a good feeling knowing that I was totally removed from the presence of my parents. I was eventually in their presence again when somebody came to pick me up. Those who wind up in Hell will never get this satisfaction, as they will never be in the presence of God. Jesus describes this as being “...cast into the outer darkness...” (Mt. 22:13).

Are you commendable or condemnable?

When Jesus comes back, how will you react? John says “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming” (1 Jn. 2:28). At this very moment do you have confidence that if the Lord returned today you would be ready, or are you scared you might be ashamed when He returns? Notice part of Paul’s prayer at the end of the text: “in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (12). Make sure that you are going to be commendable and not condemnable.