"That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know."
1 Thessalonians 3:3-4
Part 4
Yesterday: The Mindset to Suffer for Christ
“For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto” (b)
Whenever we stand for Jesus Christ, someone will hate us, for they hated Him. They will not mind giving us a difficult life for the Gospel we love and preach.
Today: Ready to Stand and Suffer, by God’s Grace
“For verily, when we were with you, we told you before.”
Paul was sincere in his preaching and teaching. He did not lie to the Thessalonians. He never said that every believer will have “health and wealth, sunny skies, fair sailing, no problems, and be loved by everyone!” But he did tell all the authentic believers, we can expect to suffer for our Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus said to His disciples in their day,
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father, nor me” (John 16:1-3).
Jesus was clear about the treatment His followers could expect to receive from the lost in this world. This is normal Christianity. Those who do not know the Lord Jesus, or His Father, have no misgivings about treating God’s child with cruelty. We will never be popular with the world. In fact, just the opposite is true.
“When people say bad things about us, we try to say something that will help them. But people still treat us like the world’s garbage—everyone’s trash” (1 Corinthians 4:13—HSB).[1]
“That we should suffer tribulation.”
Paul used an ancient word here for “tribulation”[2]. It had the meaning of a pressing, as grapes are pressed hard to produce their juice. His own testimony reveals his attitude about his personal pressing times of “tribulation.” He said,
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
“Even as it came to pass, and ye know.”
In Thessalonica, Paul’s words came to pass. It happened as he said.
“Not mere prediction, but God’s appointed will as it turned out in Thessalonica”[3] (Robertson).
Their appointment with tribulation was no accident or mistake. Lost Jews in their city became jealous of those Jews who believed and became a part of the church. Their rallying cry against the Christians was,
“These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” (Acts 17:6b).
When Paul wrote his second letter to the Thessalonians, he noted that their appointed persecution continued, yet they stood firm for Jesus Christ.
“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 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” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5).
Believers, as the “end time” conditions deteriorate in our country, what should we expect? Will the lost people in our land’s leadership become kinder and gentler to Christians? That is doubtful! Jesus Christ is so hated by countless unbelievers here. He is merely their curse word! Our nation, where Christ was once preached from every street corner, will eventually turn against any proclaimers of Jesus Christ’s truth. Isn’t it possible that this same type of “appointment” that the Thessalonians and so many other believers worldwide have met with over the last 2000 years, is coming soon to the believers in our country? What are we to do? Let’s borrow Paul’s words in Acts 20:24:
Handling Appointed Affliction
1. Do not let these things move you or shake you.
2. Do not count your life dear to yourself. We belong to the Lord, we are His, and we live for Him and His glory. His will be done.
3. Finish your life joyfully.
4. Finish your ministry joyfully.
5. Keep on testifying “the Gospel of the grace of God,” as long as you have breath until Jesus comes again, or He takes you home.
Quote: “The apostles went away rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ, that they were graced so far as to be disgraced for the name of Christ!”[4] (Thomas Watson).
[1] HSB is the Harvest Study Bible. From Harvest Ministries, Guam.
[2] The New Testament word used here for tribulation is thlibō, “to press (as grapes), press hard upon, … a compressed way, … narrow straitened, contracted, … metaphorically to trouble, afflict, distress” (Thayer). J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword. 1 Thessalonians 3:4. The emphasis is mine.
[4] Watson’s quote Downloaded: Monday, March 1, 2021. From: https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-persecution/.