2 Thessalonians 1:5-7

God's Coming Judgment

The very fact that they were able to endure such hardships was a clear indication that God was with them. It also foreshadowed a day when God would judge all and punish those who had caused His children to suffer. Of course, Christians should be thankful for the maturity which arises out of suffering and the fact that it better prepares them for heaven (Romans 5:3-4). In judgment, God's righteousness, or justice, will be revealed to those who may even have doubted his existence (Romans 2:5). While God can use the works of evil men to strengthen his people, He will punish those who worked them (2 Thessalonians 1:5-6).

Even though the Thessalonian brethren were being afflicted at the time of his writing, Paul here assured them relief was coming. That relief would come in the form of the Lord's second coming. Paul said angels would be with Jesus, as they often were at important times during His stay on earth (Luke 2:8-14; Matthew 4:11; Matthew 28:1-8; Acts 1:9-11). They would do the Lord's bidding in the great harvest of souls (2 Thessalonians 1:7; Matthew 13:33-43).