"We are destined for them"

up image source. Bottom left the sourceBottom center the sourceBottom right the source. What groups are best described by Paul’s words in the Bible:No one will be bothered by these tests. You know very well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we always said that we were being chased. And it happened, as you know.” (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4)

by Brian Shilhavy

In the 17th chapter of Acts in the part of the New Testament, we have the story of the visit of Paul and Silas to the Greek city of Thessalonica, where they preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.

According to his custom, Paul entered the synagogue and on three Sabbaths he discussed with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that Christ must suffer and rise from the dead.

“This is Jesus whom I preach to you, the Messiah,” he said.

Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as well as a large number of God-fearing Greeks, and not a few prominent women.

But the Jews were jealous; therefore, they gathered some bad characters from the market, formed a mob, and started rioting in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house to look for Paul and Silas to bring them to the people.

But when they didn’t find it, they dragged Yasun and some other brothers to the city officials and shouted and said:

“These people, who have caused trouble throughout the world, have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house, and they have broken all Caesar’s orders, saying that there is another king called Jesus.”

When they heard this, the people and city officials were alarmed. Then they bound Jason and the others and let them go. (Acts 17:1-9)

These men in Thessalonica paid a high price for believing that Jesus was the prophesied Jewish Messiah. Some of them were arrested. It was a mixed congregation of both believing Jews and non-Jewish believers.

They were attacked by satanic Jews who rejected Jesus, the equivalent of “Zionists” in today’s culture.

As in many of Paul’s journeys recorded in the book of Acts, the satanic Jews probably tried to kill him, forcing the believers to rush him out of Thessalonica.

As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas to Biria. (Acts 17:10)

Paul separated himself from these new believers and cared for them, especially because they were being persecuted by the satanic Jews.

So he wrote them a letter, and it’s in the New Testament, in 1 Thessalonians. He reminded them that all believers are “destined” for such trials and persecutions.

Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we thought it best to stay in Athens ourselves. We have sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one will be troubled by these trials.

You know very well that we are destined for them. In fact, we told you this when we were with you they persecuted us. And it happened, as you know. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-4)

After Paul sent Timothy to check on them, he brought another positive message that they were strong in their faith.

Later, Paul sent a second letter to the believers living in Thessalonica and wrote:

We should always thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is increasing day by day and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.

Therefore, among the congregations of God, we are proud of your patience and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are going through. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

Compared to other believers around the world, very few American believers have experienced persecution

It is not often that American Christians experience such trials and such persecution.

Some, including me, have mostly left the churches, the synagogues of Satan.

What is harassment?

It is the same today as it was in the first century.

First, the “persecutors” are false believers, in the first century they were satanic Jews who claimed to keep the laws of Moses.

Today, these satanic Jews are joined by Christians, most of whom are Zionist Christians. Even Christians in the US today who do not support Zionism are mostly “Pharisee Christians” who follow a certain way of “Christian life” and criticize and persecute those who disagree with them.

Second, persecution is the same today as it was in Jesus’ day. If a believer does not follow the accepted Christian teachings of the dominant culture, they are usually kicked out of churches and often lose their jobs and can even be arrested for daring to oppose Christian leaders, many of whom serve in politics and law enforcement.

So some things never change, do they?

When Paul wrote about the trials of persecution:You know very well that we are destined for them.He was expressing a truth that is always true in all generations. One either serves Satan through his religion, or he stands for Christ and accepts a lifestyle of constant trials and persecution.

There is no other solution. This is the way of the cross (Hodos), the path of shame, suffering and persecution.

This is the path less traveled by the people of this world, mainly religious people.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and wide is the way that leads to destruction, and many people enter through it; But the door is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14)

And for those of us who are on this path with all the challenges and persecutions that come our way, this is our promise, for we are certainly not without hope:

All this is proof that God’s judgment is right and as a result you will be worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are suffering.

God is just: He will repay those who hurt you and give relief to you who are troubled, and also to us.

This will happen when Jesus Christ will appear from heaven in burning fire with his mighty angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

They will be punished with eternal destruction and the presence of the Lord and the greatness of His power on the day when He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be amazed among all believers.

This includes you, because you have believed our testimony. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)