Retribution

The thought of retribution is found in Second Thessalonians 1:8. It literally means "to give full punishment." It is sometimes translated "justice," "punishment," "retribution," "vengeance," or "avenging of wrong." You may recall Romans 12:19 which says: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'" (a quote from Deuteronomy 32:35). Such "vengeance" or "retribution" God will bring "on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 1:8b).

Why will God do this? Because it is just. Note verse 6: "Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you." "No problem," says God. "I am just, and I will take care of any injustice done to you." Every nation, regardless of its ethical or moral standards, punishes criminals. All people have a sense of justice because they are made in God's image. Although the justice carried out by people is imperfect, God's justice is perfect.

The NASB translates verse 6 like this: "For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you." It is fitting and proper for God to repay with retribution those who disobey His law. Remember verse 8 where we are told that Jesus will return "dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus"? The word retribution or vengeance not only speaks of "giving full punishment," but is closely related to another word meaning "just" or "right." The retribution God deals out is the just punishment given by the perfect and righteous Judge to all unbelievers who have willfully disobeyed the gospel of Christ.

Who will receive this retribution from God? All who disobey the gospel and do not know God. The word "repay" (v. 6) means "to give back," or "recompense." It is a strong, compound word that conveys the idea of a full and complete repayment. God will gain complete vengeance on your behalf against "those who trouble you" (v. 6b, NKJV) or "those who afflict you" (ESV). To understand this truth means you can stand firm even in the face of persecution and affliction.

How will God repay the unbelievers who afflict you? With "tribulation" or "affliction" (v. 6b). Tribulation can mean "trouble," "distress," "difficult circumstances," or "suffering." Note verse 9: "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." To repay "with tribulation" (v. 6b) is to repay with "eternal destruction" (v. 9a), which is defined as complete and eternal separation from God and His glory.

Destruction does not mean annihilation. It refers instead to ruination. It does not refer to the end of one's existence, but rather the loss of everything that makes life worthwhile. Eternal destruction does not mean that unbelievers will cease to exist, but rather that they will be forever ruined. They will continue into eternity with a life that is hopeless, meaningless, and completely worthless. They will be ruined forever. To which Matthew adds: "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 13:41-42). To spend eternity "away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might" (ESV) is indeed a life of utter darkness and a life of total misery.

With all of this in mind, do not miss the truth of verses 7b-8a: "When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire." This is when the repayment will be carried out. At the Day of the Lord, when Christ returns, then it will be too late. All who have afflicted you and who have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins will receive their just punishment from God.

The day is coming when Christ Jesus will reveal Himself to both believers and unbelievers. When Paul spoke of the Second Coming in relation to believers, he spoke of the Rapture and used the Greek word parousia, meaning "presence" or "coming." For believers, the return of Christ is the presence with them of the One they know. But in verse 7, when Paul wrote "when the Lord Jesus is revealed," he used the Greek word apokalupsis, meaning "revelation," "unveiling," or "uncovering." It refers to the idea of manifesting or making known that which was previously hidden or secret. Here the Second Coming is spoken of in relation to unbelievers. Jesus, who was previously hidden, will reveal Himself in all His glory to those who do not know or worship Him. This is the Day of the Lord when Jesus comes to judge the unbelievers.

Note the three phrases used in verse 7 describing this revealing of Christ to unbelievers: (1) He will be revealed "from heaven." Just as Jesus visibly ascended into heaven, so His return will be just as visible. As the angels told His disciples, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11); (2) He will be revealed "with His mighty angels," literally, "the angels of His power." They are His instruments. They "gather" the unbelievers together and "cast them into the furnace" (Matt. 13:41-42); and, (3) He will be revealed "in flaming fire." This fire is the fire of judgment. The fire of God's judgment is so much a part of His divine nature that the Bible declares, "For our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29; cf. Deut. 4:24).

The Lord Jesus will return "from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire" (vs. 7b-8a) and He will bring retribution to those who persecute you. Therefore, stand firm, even in the midst of suffering. Never turn away from the Lord your God. Amen.