One of the shorter books in the New Testament is 2 Thessalonians. In it, Paul talks of a few different things, including the “Man of Lawlessness”, which some believe is a reference to the anti-Christ. But that’s not the subject of today’s missive. Rather, I want to ponder the following passage:
“God is just. He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relive to you who are troubled. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
This is a comforting thought. Those who trouble us as Christians will be punished. But when? Our human side cries out for justice when the righteous or innocents are persecuted or abused. We want immediate retribution, and long to see the persecutors receive justice. We want justice, and we want it now.
However, the Lord does not work on our time table. He has his own sense of timing, which even though we cannot always perceive it to be the case, is always perfect. Paul clearly states that true justice will be rendered when Jesus returns. Oh, there may be times when the Lord does punish folks while they still inhabit the earth, but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule. But, he does promise us that those who persecute the righteous will be punished on judgment day. And the punishment won’t be a slap-on-the-wrist or a “time out”. No, they will be punished with “everlasting destruction, and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power …” Ouch. That isn’t a 20-year jail sentence with time off for good behavior. That’s eternal … forever and ever. That’s a long time.
So, take heart and comfort in knowing that when you are persecuted and wronged, the wrong-doer will suffer punishment. We should pray, though, that the person repents and turns to God prior to receiving that ultimate, unending sentence.
GJS
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