14 “For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!” (1 Thessalonians 2:14–16 (ESV)
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church>” – Tertullian (155-220 AD).
“We must all have the spirit of martyrdom, though we may not all die martyrs.” – George Whitfield (1714-1770)
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15 (ESV)
The Thessalonians were dedicated mimics or imitators of the Lord, Paul, Silas and Timothy along with the churches in Judea. They loved the truth of God.
“In order to bring home this idea Paul states that not only the Thessalonians are grateful for the spiritual blessings which they have received, but so are the missionaries (hence, “we also,” that is, “we as well as you”). Without ceasing they thank God for the manner in which the Thessalonians have accepted the message and for the influence which this word of God has exerted upon their lives. In other words, we have here a further elucidation and amplification of 1:6, just as 2:1–12 is an expatiation of the thought begun in 1:5,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
“The word, accordingly, was operating; it was “at work,” effective in the lives of believers. And the reason why the word was at work, and this in a favorable sense, was that it was the word of God: by means of that word, God himself was working (cf. Phil. 2:13).”
The Thessalonians proved the power of God’s Word as they faced fierce persecution from their fellow citizens, which they endured with God given faith and joy (Acts 17:5-9). The Apostle referred to those “who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind.” To displease (ἀρεσκόντων; areskonton) refers to causing someone to not feel happy or joyful. These opponents of the Thessalonians were ultimately opponents of God. To oppose (ἐναντίων; enantion) means to be hostile. These individuals were not only hostile to God but anyone who was a follower of Jesus Christ.
Enemies of God have always hated Him and His disciples. Therefore, it is unwise for the church to try to become friendly with the fallen world and to make the gospel appealing and attractive. This never works because rather than seeing people converted to Christ, the church converts to the philosophy of the fallen world.
“When Paul mentions the Jews and the havoc which they had wrought in Judea, he realizes, of course, that they, too, as well as the Gentiles, had tried and were trying to destroy the faith of the Thessalonian believers. It was as a result of their instigation that the missionaries had been forced to leave the city (Acts 17:5–9). In the beginning the Jews had aroused the Gentiles, including the magistrates, to take a stand against the Gospel and its messengers. There is no good reason to believe that their hostile attitude had ceased since that time (see, e.g., Acts 17:13),” continues Dr. Hendriksen.
Paul continued further about these opponents to the gospel. He wrote they were, “hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!”
“History shows that there will always be opposition to the Word of God from those outside the covenant,” states Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“For example, when Moses charged Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery, Pharaoh made life even harder for God’s people (Ex. 5). More tragically, however, people who belonged to the covenant community of Israel also opposed the Word of God. Jeremiah was put in stocks for preaching the word of the Lord (Jer. 20:1–2). Zechariah, through whom the Holy Spirit spoke, was killed by King Joash of Judah for prophesying against him (2 Chron. 24:20–22). Worst of all, Jesus Himself was put to death by those Jews who rejected Him and who handed Him over to the Romans for execution (John 18:1–19:37).”
“Having saving faith in the Lord makes oneself a target of the devil’s ire, and the Thessalonians’ persecution by fellow gentiles for their faith demonstrated the truth of their commitment to Christ.” concludes Dr. Sproul.
The wrath of God of which Paul spoke is explained in Romans 1:18-21. “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:18–21 (ESV)
“What Paul teaches is in full harmony with Rom. 9–11. (See also p. 19.) However, in Romans there is additional revelation. He there shows that though this wrath to the uttermost has reached the Jewish masses, there is, nevertheless, in every period of history, “a remnant according to the election of grace.” These remnants of all the ages, taken together, constitute “all Israel” which “shall be saved” (Rom. 11:26a). Hence, no one has a right to say, “God is through with the Jews.” Anti-Semitism, moreover, is very definitely anti-scriptural! In the present passage (1 Thess. 2:16), however, all the emphasis is on the curse which the Jews have called down upon themselves by rejecting the Christ and his ambassadors,” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a God honoring day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 