Retaliation

“Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you” (2 Thessalonians 1:5-6).

Introduction

No-one likes to be persecuted or suffer tribulation for the cause of Christ, so would it be acceptable to the Lord if we took matters into our own hands and gave our enemies a taste of their own medicine? Paul, in these verses, deals with the temptation to retaliate when others offend us.

The manifest token

“Your sufferings are a proof of judgment to come. The wicked are not receiving their deserts; the righteous are suffering. A future judgment, hence, must come, because God is righteous” (The People’s New Testament Commentary).

Such persecution proved that their salvation was true and secure in Christ. They did not give up their faith and love despite what they were suffering. This is a good test of the validity of a persons claim to faith in Christ. “And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away … And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended” (Mark 4:5-6, 16-17). Their enduring faith and love was evidence enough for Paul that the believers in Thessalonica were faithful. “Religion, if worth anything, is worth every thing; and those have no religion, or none worth having, or know not how to value it, cannot find their hearts to suffer for it” (Matthew Henry.)

They were genuine Christians and since God keeps His promises, they would enter the His Kingdom as “Good and faithful” servants of Christ (Matthew 25:23). Their patience while suffering persecution revealed that they had Christ’s nature.

God is righteous

God, because He is just and righteous, will deal with those who persecute and offend His people. Often it does not appear that God is defending us from our enemies but, like David in Psalm 73, we must see things from God’s perspective. The day will come when He will pour out judgement upon those who hate the Church of Christ. “Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?” (Jeremiah 12:1). Our persecutors are destined for a terrible end unless they repent. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) … “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).

We must learn to leave retribution in the hands of the Lord; otherwise we are no different from those who persecute us. “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee” (Proverbs 20:22). Throughout history church groups have became militant against the world, and ended up spreading hate instead of faith and love. It is not for us to lift up our hands against our enemies. “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).

Conclusion

It is not uncommon for the true church of Christ to suffer affliction for His name. Instead of defeating the church, as the enemy supposes, it actually strengthens its resolve to serve the Lord. “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9) … “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3-4) … “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Nevertheless, it is important to note that suffering is not the key to the Kingdom of God; rather it is true faith in Jesus Christ that endures to the end. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).