Relief

Jesus reveals Himself to unbelievers in judgment at the Day of the Lord. But He makes His presence known to believers at the time of the Rapture when He takes us to heaven to spend eternity with Him. For the lost, the apokalupsis in the Greek, or apocalypse. For the saved, the parousia in the Greek. For unbelievers, the judgment of God. For believers, relief from our afflictions.

Second Thessalonians 1:7a says, "to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us" (NASB). "Relief" (v. 7a) means "a loosening" or "freedom." It refers to relaxation, refreshment, restoration, and rest. In Scripture there is the rest salvation brings, or the Sabbath rest for God's people. The Bible also promises what can be called millennial rest, when Christ establishes His reign on earth and His subjects enjoy rest and peace. The Scriptures also promise an eternal rest that all believers enter into at death—rest from sin, temptation, trials, sorrows, and any other form of suffering. As Rev. 21:4 says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain" (NASB). Such rest awaits the saints of the Rapture.

Why will God do this? Because it is just or right. As it was "only right for God to repay" unbelievers with "affliction" (v. 6a, NASB), so "it is only right for God… to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us" (v. 7a, NASB). How can it be just or right to punish the one and give relief to the other? A.W. Tozer wrote:  "[The] solution for the problem of how God can be just and still justify the unjust is found in the Christian doctrine of redemption. It is that, through the work of Christ in atonement, justice is not violated but satisfied when God spares a sinner. Redemptive theology teaches that mercy does not become effective toward a man until justice has done its work. The just penalty for sin was exacted when Christ our Substitute died for us on the cross. However unpleasant this may sound to the ear of the natural man, it has ever been sweet to the ear of faith" (The Knowledge of the Holy, [New York: Harper & Row, 1975], 94).

Who will find rest? Believers—the redeemed of God—will find rest in Christ. Paul wrote, "to give you who are troubled rest with us" (v. 7a). God promises rest to all believers because we all suffer through hard times. Paul told Timothy, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:12). Suffering for Christ is a mark of a true Christian. Eternal rest comes to all who follow Jesus.

How will this relief come to believers? "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Cor. 15:52). Note Second Thessalonians 1:10—"When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed." Our glorification is in view here. It is at the time of the Rapture that Christ will glorify us and receive us unto Himself forever. Christ is glorified in us as He changes us "in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor. 15:52a). All will marvel as they see Christ in all His glory. The reward is participation in the Rapture—being changed "in the twinkling of an eye" into full conformity with Christ—and going to heaven to spend eternity with Him.

That final phrase, "because our testimony among you was believed" (v. 10b), makes it all very personal to the Thessalonians. They have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, each one of them will be there on that day when Christ Raptures them to take them home.

Once you have received Jesus by faith, you can know for certain that you will also be included in that glorious day. The fact that you will be glorified with Christ should be more than enough encouragement to endure the afflictions unbelievers may bring your way.

As a believer in Christ you will be glorified with Him at His return. In the meantime, God has your best interest in mind. He will see you through any and all persecution or suffering. He will one day return and bring retribution to those who persecute you. He will also bring relief or rest to your soul, in that Day. Knowing this, you can stand firm for Christ by faith. He will enable you to stand firm. Amen.