Destined for Suffering
Disciples of Jesus will escape God’s “wrath” but are appointed for “tribulation” in this life for the kingdom – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4.
In his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul
wrote that God has not appointed his saints to “wrath.” But in
the very same letter, he declares the church has been set by God to “suffer tribulation.”
Persevering through trials and persecutions is part and parcel of being a
disciple of Jesus:
- “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to the acquiring of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” - (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
- “Wherefore, no longer concealing our anxiety, we were well-pleased to be left in Athens alone; and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of the Christ, that he might confirm and console you over your faith, that no one might be shrinking back in these tribulations. For you yourselves know that hereunto are we appointed. For even when we were with you, we told you beforehand, that we are destined to suffer tribulation! Even as it also came to pass, and you know” - (1 Thessalonians 3:1-4).
NO CONTRADICTION
Either Paul contradicted himself, or he did not equate “tribulation”
with “wrath.” By enduring persecution, the Thessalonian believers
“become imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in
much tribulation with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit” - (1
Thessalonians 1:6).
Likewise, the teachings of Jesus instruct his disciples
to expect tribulation. Their opponents will deliver them “for
tribulation and kill them: and they will be hated by all the
nations.” Before his return, there will
be “great tribulation” for his “elect,” so much so that only
“he who endures to the end” will be saved - (Matthew 13:21, 24:9, 24:21-22).
REJOICE IN TRIBULATION
Contrary to human wisdom, disciples who endure
persecution will be pronounced “blessed” in the Kingdom of God.
Suffering for its sake is a matter for great rejoicing - “Blessed are you
when men reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against
you falsely for my sake. Rejoice! Be exceeding glad! For great is your reward
in heaven!” (Matthew 5:10-12).
Paul likewise encouraged his congregations to rejoice
in suffering. We are to “exult in our tribulations because they
bring about endurance, and our endurance a testing, and our testing hope” -
(Romans 5:3, 12:12, 2 Corinthians 1:4).
His disciples are to remain patient in tribulations and to
“continue steadfastly in prayer” in their sufferings. It is God who “comforts
us in every tribulation, so that we ourselves may be able to
comfort those who are in any tribulation.”
And tribulations “prepare for us an everlasting weight of glory beyond all comparison” - (Romans 8:35-39, 12:12, 2 Corinthians 1:4, 4:17).
According to Peter, it is thankworthy if we suffer for
the sake of our “conscience towards God.” There is no honor if we suffer
for doing wrong, but if we suffer patiently for our obedience to God, it is most
praiseworthy. And as believers, we “have been called for this”
very thing - (1 Peter 2:19-20, 4:15).
FOLLOWING HIS EXAMPLE
To suffer for the gospel is to “follow in the
footsteps” of Jesus who “left us an example” in his
self-sacrificial death. Disciples accounted worthy to “suffer for
righteousness” are blessed, and this is in “accord with the will
of God” - (1 Peter 2:19-23, 3:14-18, 4:19).
In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul boasts of
their steadfastness. They have endured faithfully through “all their
persecutions and tribulations.”
Both believers and non-believers will be found alive when
Jesus arrives from Heaven, an event that will result in the vindication of the
former, but the condemnation of the latter. And disciples of Christ endure persecution
so that they “might be counted worthy of the kingdom of God on behalf of
which they were suffering if, at least, it is a righteous thing with God to
recompense tribulation to them that trouble you” - (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
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| [Photo by Matt Palmer on Unsplash] |
In Paul’s epistles, “wrath” is NOT identical to “tribulation.” The impenitent man stores up for himself “wrath” and “fury” for the “day of wrath.” Because of sin, the “wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.”
In contrast, the saints have been justified by Jesus, consequently,
they will “be saved by him from the wrath of God” - (Romans
2:5-8, 5:9, Ephesians 5:6, Colossians 3:6-8).
In Paul’s writings, the coming “wrath” of
God is connected to the day when Jesus returns in glory. God has not appointed
the church to experience that “wrath.” Instead, the saints will acquire salvation
through Jesus, and that means they will not experience His “wrath.” It
does not mean they will escape suffering and persecution in this life - (1
Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9).
IN REVELATION
In the book of Revelation,
John identified himself as “your
brother and fellow-participant in the tribulation and the kingdom
and the perseverance in Jesus” to the churches of Asia. He had been exiled on
the isle Patmos “because of his testimony.”
In John’s declaration,
“tribulation” has the definite article, he was a
participant in “THE tribulation.” The article signifies
something that is known. Even at that early stage in church history, many
saints were experiencing “the tribulation.”
To the church at Smyrna,
Jesus declared - “I know your tribulation and the things you
are going to suffer.” He encouraged them “not to fear what
you are about to suffer,” and promised they would “have tribulation
for ten days,” and he summoned his saints to “become faithful
unto death.” It is in this way that they “overcome” and
escape something far worse than persecution – the “Second Death.”
Later, John saw an innumerable
multitude of men from every nation standing before the “throne” and the “Lamb,”
saints who “were coming out of the great tribulation.” The
term refers to the same tribulation in which John and the
seven churches of Asia were participating already - (Revelation 1:9, 7:9-17).
“Wrath”
refers to the final judgment against God’s enemies. “Tribulation”
is what the “saints” endure at the hands of the “Dragon” and his agents
- (Revelation 12:17, 13:7, 14:12).
When Paul states that
“God did not appoint us to wrath” and “we are appointed for
tribulation,” there is no contradiction. The terms refer to different
things. “Wrath” is God’s judicial sentence on the wicked, and “tribulation”
is what the world inflicts on the true church.
“Tribulation” is part of what it means to
follow the “Lamb wherever he goes,” to daily “deny yourself and take
up the cross.” Suffering for his
sake is not punishment or aberration, but grounds for rejoicing.
Being found “worthy” to suffer for him is the highest honor that
can befall a disciple.
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