2 Thessalonians 1:6-8

2 Thessalonians 1:6-8

[6] Seeing  it is a righteous thing  with  God  to recompense  tribulation  to them that trouble  [7] And  who are troubled  rest  with  when  the Lord  Jesus  shall be revealed  from  heaven  with  his  mighty  angels,  [8] In  flaming  fire  taking  vengeance  on them that know  not  God,  and  that obey  not  the gospel  Lord  Jesus 

What does 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In the future God in His justice would punish the Thessalonians" persecutors and give rest to his readers as well as to all Christians who suffer affliction for the gospel. This will take place when Jesus Christ returns to the earth in judgment. This is not a reference to the Rapture. The judgments described in the following verses ( 2 Thessalonians 1:9-10) will not take place then. It is a reference to Christ"s (second) coming at the end of the Tribulation (cf. Psalm 2:1-9; Matthew 25:31). Then Christ will punish those who do not know God (cf. Romans 1:18-32; Jeremiah 10:25; Psalm 79:6; Isaiah 66:15) and those who do not obey the gospel (cf. John 3:36). The former group may be Gentiles and the latter Jews. [1] However this is probably a case of synonymous parallelism in which both descriptions refer to both Jews and Gentiles. [2] He will put them to death and will not allow them to enter the Millennium (cf. Psalm 2; Ezekiel 20:33-38; Joel 3:1-2; Joel 3:12; Zephaniah 3:8; Zechariah 14:1-19; Matthew 25:31-46). [3] Note the contrasts between the Rapture in1Thessalonians4and the Second Coming in2Thessalonians1. [4]
1 Thessalonians 4 2 Thessalonians 1Christ returns in the air.Christ returns to the earth.He comes secretly for the church.He comes openly with the church.Believers escape the Tribulation.Unbelievers experience tribulation and judgment.The Rapture occurs at an undisclosed time.The Second Coming occurs at the end of the Tribulation in the day of the Lord.