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II Thessalonians: The Justice of God

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II Thessalonians 1:6-7 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well...

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The Justice of God: "after all it is only just for God to repay..."

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Genesis 18:25 Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

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II Thessalonians 1:6-7 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well...

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I.    The Two Fold Equalizer to the Persecution of the Church

   A.   God will repay those who afflict the church

   B.   God will give relief to the church from affliction

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John 5:25-26 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

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John 5:27-29 He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice,  and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

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John 6:28-29 Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

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I.    The Two Fold Equalizer to the Persecution of the Church

   A.   God will repay those who afflict the church

   B.   God will give relief to the church from affliction

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John 14:1-6 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

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If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”

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Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

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II Thessalonians 1:7 ...when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

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II.   The Future Belongs to Jesus Christ

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Psalm 2:11-12 Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

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John 5:21-23 Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

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II Thessalonians 1:7 ...when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

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Matthew 25:31-32 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

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II Thessalonians 1:8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 

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III.  The Measure by which God will Judge

    A.   Those who do not know God

    B.   Those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus

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John 3:35-36 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

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II Thessalonians 1:9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power

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IV.   The Penalty God will Enforce

    A.   Eternal Destruction

    B.   Away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power

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Daniel 12:1 Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.

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Daniel 12:2-3 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

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