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Expanded Comments | Additional Comments |
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| 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: |
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| 2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
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| 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; |
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| 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
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| 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: |
Be counted worthy – In spite of the fact that no human being actually is worthy. R3002:2
We are not worthy of the Kingdom of God; but the Lord purposes to (count) his faithful ones worthy, through the merit of the atonement sacrifice, which permits the acceptance of our wills, intentions, instead of the perfect works of righteousness. R3002:2
Ye also suffer – Strive in a reasonable, rational manner, according to the divine Word and plan, to suffer for the Kingdom's sake. R3002:2
This loyalty should be put to the test. CR80:3
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| 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; |
Tribulation to them that trouble you – It will be but a just thing for the Lord, at the second coming of the Lord Jesus, to render a recompense (purgatorial punishment) upon those who have been opposers of the truth and of the saints. Their punishment or tribulation will be just, and not an unjust one. R1471:2,4
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| 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, |
To you – The saints, whose enemies are allowed to prosper and oppose. R356:2
Who are troubled – We are enduring tribulation, until he come. R3652:6
Shall be revealed – Greek: apokalupsis; revealment, uncovering, unveiling (as of a thing previously present but hidden). R2979:2, 3, 580:5, 264:2, 20:4
The revelation of Christ to the world will be subsequent to his revelation of himself to the "wise virgin" class. The world will know, not by seeing Jesus in the flesh, but by seeing the great time of trouble. R5523:1
Angels – Agencies. R764:6
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| 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: |
In flaming fire – Of righteous purgatorial judgment. R1471:4
In which Christ's presence will first be revealed to the world in the great day of trouble which will introduce the new dispensation; and will continue to burn throughout that thousand-year day against all evil-doers. R1471:4, 5527:4
Symbol of the destructive force which will be exercised against everything that shall oppose the laws of Messiah's Kingdom. OV324:1; B151
Gradually, the world will come to understand that the great King is identified with the trouble. R5830:5
Judgments against all unrighteousness. R2979:3
Trouble, judgments--consumingly destructive to evil and ignorance and wrongs of every sort. R764:6, 5527:4
In the time of trouble. R5456:1 After 1914. Q98:T; R5567:1
Melting of the social fabric. R668:1
Anarchy, bringing retributive justice preceding the blessings of the new Kingdom. R5567:1, 5586:6
Outward manifestation of judgment, which will come on men in a natural way. It is their own fire that they built. Q98:T
Trouble--great anarchistic blaze--destruction, leaving present institutions in ashes. R5058:6, 1040:1
The outward sign by which the world will know that Messiah has accepted his throne. CR291:4
That know not God – Who acknowledge not God. T86
The ignorant who do not appreciate God's character and plans, and obey not the gospel. R764:6, 356:2
On them who are not really acquainted with God, but who nevertheless fail to obey the light of conscience, which all to some extent possess. B152
And that obey not – And also on those who, while knowing God, yet obey not the gospel. B152
The gospel – Glad tidings. R1471:4
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| 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; |
Who – Willful sinners against full light. OV363:T
Class of incorrigibles. R4973:5
Disobedient lovers of evil. PD95/109
Including Satan and all who follow his way. E392
Shall be punished – Divine vengeance or retribution against sinners. R2858:4
With – Or by. R926:1
Everlasting destruction – The second death. E330; R5344:1, 5314:6, 5286:6, 2972:5, 2690:4, 2657:4, 2607:6, 1882:4, 1878:6; OV363:T, 333:3; CR279:3; 338:2*; SM167:T
Beyond all hope of recovery. R2858:4, 2972:5
Greek: aionion; not limited, i.e. upon which destruction no limit has been placed. R764:3, 719:4
Not preservation in torment or otherwise. R3947:2, 4973:5, 4881:6; OV373:5
From it there will be no redemption, no resurrection; Christ shall die no more, perish like natural brute beasts. (2 Pet. 2:12) R5314:6, 1882:4, 1878:6, 926:1; CR350:1; 338:2
Only the willingly obdurate shall be lost, and their loss will be the loss of life. R4702:4
"Destroyed from amongst the people." (Acts 3:23) E193; R4140:4; SM767:T
"Be as though they had not been." (Job 10:19) E387
"The wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23) R4618:4, 1882:4, 1085:5, 926:1
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| 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. |
When he shall – Messiah – Head and Body. OV119:4; R2407:4
Come – Have come. R764:3
When he comes it will be privately. He comes to organize the Church as his Kingdom, to set it up. R579:6, 263:3, 19:3
To be glorified – Recognized as glorious, and to manifest his glory in his saints. R582:2*
That coming glory was foreshadowed in his miracles, "manifested forth his glory." (John 2:11) R526:5[R526]
In his saints – In the first resurrection. F161
And to be admired – Respected, obeyed, worshipped. R774:1
Wondered at. R582:2*
In all them – Who desire fellowship with God will come to him through the Royal Priesthood, who will offer their sacrifices for them. R1732:5
All who come into harmony with God, through Christ, under the terms of the New Covenant sealed by the precious blood. R2407:4
Those who choose the heavenly portion and the sacrifices necessary to obtain it should be admired by all mankind. OV119:4
In that day – In the Millennial day. R1732:5, 2407:4, 1176:1, 765:1, 764:6, 356:2
"The last day" of sin, in which it will be forever wiped out. R356:2
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| 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: |
Of this calling – The great high calling of this Gospel age--to joint-heirship with his Son in the Kingdom. R3002:4
Present and future--now to suffer with Christ to cultivate his spirit, to bear much fruit and thus be fitted for a share in the work of the incoming age--for the blessing of the world. R2414:6
The work of faith – These are not things which he offers us grudgingly, but things which he is well pleased to bestow. R3002:5
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| 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
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