Title: The Great Reversal 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Faith for the Persecuted (2 Thess. 1:1-4) The persecuted church is setting the example for all the churches: • In persecution • In affliction • In endurance 1 Peter 1:6 (NLT), “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” Justice for the Persecuted (2 Thess. 1:5-10) Justice for the persecuted: • Liberation for afflicted believers. • Participation in the kingdom of God. • Glorification when Christ returns. Justice for the persecutors: • Affliction repaid to the afflicters. • Retribution for rejecting God and the Lord Jesus. • Destruction (eternal) away from God’s presence and glory. C.S.Lewis, The Problem of Pain, “In the long run the answer to all those who object to the doctrine of hell, is itself a question: What are you asking God to do? To wipe out their past sins and, at all costs, to give them a fresh start, smoothing every difficulty and offering every miraculous help? But He has done so, on Calvary. To forgive them? They will not be forgiven. To leave them alone? Alas, I am afraid that is what He does.” Prayer for the Persecuted (2 Thess. 1:11-12) • Pray to be a worthy Christian. (11) • Pray to be an active Christian. • Pray to be a powerful Christian. • Pray the Lord Jesus will be glorified in you. (12)