2 Thessalonians 1:5

which is a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God Better, without the connecting words of the English version, a token of the righteous Judgement of God.

The heroic faith of the Thessalonians showed that God was on their side. By the courage He Inspired in them the Righteous Judge already showed what His judgement was in their case, and gave token of His final recompense. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Philippians 1:27-28, "Stand fast in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God." So the joy of Stephen, when before the Council his face shone "as it had been the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15); so the triumph of Paul and Silas singing psalms in prison; so the rapture of Christian martyrs at the stake, were signs of God's presence with them and omens of retribution to their enemies.

that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God More precisely, to the end that (R. V.): "a token of God's righteous judgement, given with the purpose that you may be counted worthy of His kingdom."

God's judgement in this controversy is already manifest to those who have eyes to see, in the brave endurance and growing faith of the persecuted Christian flock. But this sign looks onward and points to the final award, when "the blessed of My Father," said Jesus, shall "inherit the kingdom prepared for them" (Matthew 25:34). God designsthis blessedness for them "chosen from the beginning unto salvation" (ch. 2 Thessalonians 2:13); He "calls them unto His own kingdom and glory" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). And this "manifestation" of His approval helps to prepare them for it.

That kingdom will be "given to those for whom it has been prepared" (Matthew 20:13); but at the same time, only to those who are "counted worthy" (see 2Th 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:13 and notes; also Luke 20:35; Matthew 22:8, "The wedding-feast is ready; but those who were called were not worthy"). There must be manifest in the final judgement a personal fitness of character, corresponding to God's purpose, in those admitted to His heavenly Kingdom. Read the solemn words of Revelation 22:10-15.

The sufferings of the Thessalonians were endured for the Kingdom's sake: for the sake of which yum are also suffering. Their strong hope of the coming of Christ and the triumph of God's Kingdom sustained them in their distress. "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12): so sang the early Christians. But yet it was not so much their own share in it, as the prospect of the glory of the Kingdom itself, that made them "exult in tribulations." Comp. Hebrews 10:34; Romans 8:16; Romans 8:19; Philippians 1:20.