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Bible Study notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (6-5-1981 Strandtown Baptist Church)
The start of 2 Thessalonians ch.2 is mysterious, awful
and oppressive. Paul speaks of the principal of evil in the world, its secret
working, amazing power, final embodiment in the man of sin, and decisive
overthrow at the Second Coming. Deceit is characteristic of this evil. It
deludes men, and they become its victims. We may be tempted to despair – but
Paul does not.
He turns away from the gloomy
prospect and fixes his eyes on another prospect, altogether serene, bright and
joyful. There is a son of perdition and he will carry many to ruin in his train.
But there is a work of God going on in the world as well as a work of evil.
God’s work also has its triumphs. Whatever work of evil there is, Paul goes on
to say, We ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord,
because from the beginning God chose you to be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
James Denney calls these two verses (v13 & 14) “a system of theology in miniature”. These verses of thanksgiving of Paul cover the whole work of salvation from the eternal choice of God, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in the world to come. Each separate clause brings out another aspect of fundamental truth that Salvation is of the Lord.
God chose the Thessalonians from the very beginning. His choice was an eternal one. We know we owe our salvation to God. Salvation begins on God’s side. Every Christian heart responds to Christ saying, “You have not chosen me but I have chosen you”. His initiative in relation to us is the original, fundamental and decisive thing in salvation. God is the starting point. Paul implies they know this to be a fact – it in not a cold abstract theory, but something they have experienced. God’s purpose of mercy is not just a matter of something that happened yesterday or today, but it is as eternal as Himself.
Here are the instruments and conditions of carrying into
effect the divine choice. Note that there are divine and human sides in
accomplishing God’s purposes. Sanctification or consecration are wrought by
God’s Spirit upon the spirit of man. By it men enter into a new and higher
life. At the same time, there is belief of the truth, i.e. acceptance of God’s
message of mercy and the surrender of the soul to it. Thus we have the Divine
side and human side. The Spirit opens the mind, and the mind responds to the
truth illuminated by the Spirit. Then the Spirit responds by further blessing in
response of human faith. Divine power, and human choice. The Spirit’s baptism
of fire, and the deliberate welcome of salvation. Through both, the purpose of
God to save is accomplished.
As believers we have acknowledged the truth which God has declared to us in His Son. This truth is alive in us by the Holy Spirit, and as a result we are new creatures in Christ.
God called you to this
through our Gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14). The Apostles were the
messengers, but the message they brought was God’s. Truth, warnings and
invitations are all His. So also spiritual constraint. This magnifies the
preacher’s office and also the responsibility of all his hearers. It is a
light thing to listen to a man speaking his own thoughts and passing his own
opinions. But it is a solemn thing to listen to a man speaking truly in the name
of God.
When we use the word “Gospel”, we properly mean the “Gospel of God”, the good news of God. It is His voice which proclaims coming judgement, and His voice which tells of the redemption which is in Christ Jesus – even forgiveness of sins. His voice calls all exposed to His wrath, all who are under a curse and the power of sin, to come to the Saviour. So it is natural for men to put God out of their minds, and keep Him in the background forever, have recourse to Him only as a last resort. But the Gospel challenges this attitude. God has spoken to us in His word and by His Spirit – God, and not some human preacher. Beware lest we despise him who speaks.
That you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14). Paul saw the Lord of glory on his way to Damascus. His whole conception of salvation was shaped by that sight. We receive salvation to taste of that glory now, to be consummated at the Second Coming. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:4). This corruptible body is going to put on an incorruptible one. The mortal is going to become immortal. The fullness of glory has yet to be experienced. We will be glorified together with Him.
These two verses contain great thoughts. They touch on
eternity, and are based on the most sure and blessed of experiences. They travel
back to infinity past, and on to immortal glory. They contain thoughts of divine
presence and power interpenetrating and redeeming human life. What a range and
sweep in this brief summary of God’s redeeming purposes.
How very humbling this all is. Yet though it amazes us that God has thus dealt with us, it also gives us an immense sense of privilege and wonder at God’s dealing with us. It makes us fearless and bold. So what if the whole world is against us? We are God’s own people, part of God’s eternal choice, destined to share in Christ’s glory and dwell in His perfect peace. We are God’s, distinct from others. We are not men of an inferior race. We are aristocrats of heaven. Our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. So we can smile at our enemies, and stand against whatever storms may blow. This spurs us on to holiness. Shall we trifle with sin when we are God’s own elect? We must give ourselves to be His forever, and solemnly consecrate ourselves to His service.
