We begin this study as Paul began his second letter to the Thessalonian Church:

 

"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as it is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows even greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering."

 

Second Thessalonians 1:3-5 NASB

 

Paul  commended the Thessalonians concerning their faith and love toward one another were growing. And Paul commended the Thessalonians among the churches of God for their perseverance in their afflictions and persecutions they were enduring. It was through their afflictions and persecutions their faith and their love toward one another was growing. And it was through their trials the other churches took notice and were encouraged by them. 

Did Paul commend this church because they were growing into a mega church, or because their pastor was the major reason the church was getting larger? No. 

Did Paul condemn these believers because they were suffering because of their lack of faith?  No. Paul  instructed them that their suffering was in indication of God's righteous judgment. It was through their afflictions and persecutions, they would be considered worthy of the kingdom of God.

There is another popular view that God doesn't want us to suffer during the tribulation because it will be a time that is so bad that nobody would want to suffer through it. (Well, they are partially right. I can't think of anyone who would want to go through it, but that doesn't mean we won't!) But notice above that through these trials we are considered worthy of the kingdom of God, the kingdom which is ushered in after the tribulation.¹ In the book of Acts after the disciples returned from their journey, they encouraged the souls of other believers to continue in the faith and they said:

"Through many trials and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."

 

Acts 14:22 NASB

In the letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote:

 

"...in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

 

Philippians 1:28-30 NASB

In Philippians, Paul said it was granted for Christ's sake that they should not only believe in Christ, but to suffer as well as Paul suffered. Paul affirmed what He wrote to the Thessalonian church that their suffering was a sign of salvation for them and destruction for their opponents:

"...It is only just for God to repay with affliction to those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in Flaming Fire..."

          Second Thessalonians 1:6-7 NASB

Paul instructed the Thessalonians that God will repay the afflicters with affliction and give rest to those who are afflicted when the Lord Jesus returns after the Tribulation. As we close this article, we've seen something that is different from what many have been teaching. It is through trials, and tribulations we are tested. And as a result, God considers us worthy of His kingdom.

 

 

"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

 

Acts 5:41

 

 

Footnotes

1. 2 Thessalonians 1:1-8