Finding Comfort by Focusing on the Future (Part One): 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12 by Dr. Rod Mattoon

Scripture

• 2 Thessalonians 1:7–12

About this sermon

* 2 Thessalonians 1:7- And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. The Thessalonian church had gone through a great deal of turmoil. Christians throughout this part of the world were facing persecution. In Acts, we read of the stoning of Stephen for his faith in Christ. Approximately seven years before this letter was written to the Thessalonians, the older brother of John, James the son of Zebedee, was martyred in 44 A.D., about ten years after Stephen was stoned to death. Governor Herod Agrippa of Judea launched a persecution against Christians after he took power. Clemens Alexandrinus wrote that as James was being led to his death, the man who accused James got under conviction for what he had done. He was inspired by the courage of James and fell at his feet to seek his forgiveness. The accuser professed his faith in Christ and chose to die with James. Both men were beheaded according to Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. This church had been greatly troubled. This word “troubled” is from the word thlibo {thlee'-bo}. The word means “to distress, afflict, to press hard, or to be narrowed.” This church was under great pressure. They were squeezed between a rock and a hard place, with their backs against the wall in a corner, if you please. Paul comforted them with the rest they would enjoy in the future from the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as the joy they would have in Heaven. In this message, we look at a basket-full of promises from God that give hope, peace, and rest to the Christian. This 28-minute message was preached on Sunday night, June 12, 2022, at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.

Topics

• Encouragement