2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 7and to grant relief to you who are afflicted with us, in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his mighty angels 8in flaming fire, giving punishment to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
The thought of God’s response to the suffering of the Thessalonians continues in a positive way in verse 7. God will judge the afflicters of suffering and will give relief (anesin) to those who receive the affliction. Afflict (here as the participle thlibomenois) can come in many forms of oppression and trouble. It does not necessarily need to be physical harm, although many early Christians, such as Paul and his companions, experienced imprisonment and beatings. Psychological abuse or social shame can be other forms of suffering. Relief can come in the release of the burden that oppresses (2 Corinthians 8:13) or experiencing some degree of freedom from the oppression (Acts 24:23).
Paul and his companions had this hope of eventual relief of suffering because they hoped in Jesus’ coming again. Verse 7 introduces one of the key topics of this letter and provides further insight into Paul’s eschatology and view on Jesus’ second coming. This topic seemed to have been confusing to the Thessalonians since both canonical letters address it. Revelation (apocalypse) is the revealing of a hidden mystery. The great mystery is the full revelation of Jesus as Lord when he comes again. We know from where he comes: from heaven, and with whom he comes: mighty angels. Verse 8 provides the additional information that his coming will be in flaming fire. Fire is often used in the Bible in reference to punishment of evil (texts).
Jesus’ coming again will be the time of judgment upon those who have rejected God and not accepted the gospel. God’s light shines in the world, but many people have rejected this light and continue to walk in the darkness of sin. The gospel has gone out to most parts of the world today. There are still pockets of people who have no access to the gospel, but those areas are shrinking rapidly. The challenge is that even thought people may have heard of Jesus, they may not know the gospel because of ignorance and or lack of clear communication in their heart languages. God will judge those people fairly. Paul points out specifically here those people who reject God and refuse to accept the gospel. They have no excuse but their own hard hearts. They will have to give an account before God on judgment day when Jesus comes again.
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