Good News for All Nations

The conspiracy to unseat the Messiah is applied by the New Testament to the plot to destroy Jesus – Psalm 2:1-6. The Second Psalm is a key passage that the New Testament applies to Jesus, but when were the Psalm’s predictions fulfilled? Is the Messiah reigning now on David’s Throne or is the world waiting for his enthronement at a future date? What is the revolt of nations and kings against the Son of God?

If the Thessalonians remain faithful to the apostolic message, they will receive the Crown of Glory when Jesus arrives from Heaven – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20. Having turned from dead idols to serve the Living God, the saints of Thessalonica will receive a glorious crown when Jesus returns if they continue their present course. This includes remaining “ blameless ” in conduct and persevering in persecution and tribulation.

Despite his miraculous deeds, Christ’s own village rejected his ministry and took offense at his humble origins – Mark 6:1-6. Jesus experienced growing conflict as he began his journey to the city of Jerusalem. In Galilee, he displayed his authority over nature, demons, disease, and even death, and the crowds welcomed him. However, among his own people, he was met with unbelief and rejection.

The Thessalonians received the Gospel of Christ in tribulation yet remained faithful while eagerly anticipating the return of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7. In the first chapter of First Thessalonians , Paul anticipates the Letter’s main subjects - the tribulation of believers, Christian hope, and “ the arrival ” of Jesus, when he will rescue his people from wrath, resurrect the righteous dead, and “ meet ” his assembled saints as he descends from Heaven. On that day, we will “ obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ .”

When disciples react to hostility with hostility, whether by government, society, or individuals, Satan triumphs . The reality of persecution raises important questions. How should we react to hostility and opposition? Should we engage in civil disobedience and public protests ? Our human desire to live without conflict is natural. Nevertheless, Jesus warned that all men who decide to follow him would experience tribulation and persecution.

The New Testament warns of a future apostasy caused by deceivers and the Son of Destruction, the Lawless Man, before the Day of the Lord arrives . The New Testament warns us that before Jesus returns, his Church will be attacked from within by deceivers, “ false anointed ones ,” and “ false prophets .” Before the “ Day of the Lord ” begins, his disciples will be confronted by the “ Man of Lawlessness , ” whom the Apostle Paul links to the “ Apostasy ,” the final great “ falling away ” from the faith.

The followers of Jesus are called to rejoice when they are found worthy to suffer for him and his Gospel . Persecution is always a possibility for the Church. We may face hostility from employers, neighbors, the government, and our family members because of our beliefs and practices. So, how should we react when the possibility becomes reality? Jesus and the Apostles provided clear instructions and examples of how we must respond when faced with persecution.

When we react to hostility with hostility and anger, Satan wins .  The reality of persecution raises questions. How should we respond when attacked by the State, the culture, society, or even our family and friends? Is resorting to anger or retaliation appropriate, or should we emulate examples from the life of Jesus? In his teachings, he warned us to expect “ tribulation ,” and he summoned us to follow his path (“ If they persecuted me, so they will persecute you ”).

Retaliation and violence are not appropriate reactions to hostility and persecution for the disciples of Jesus. Instead, they must meet threats and assaults with humility, mercy, and forgiveness. This is what it means to “ deny yourself ,” “ take up his cross ,” and follow him “ wherever he leads .” Doing good to one’s “ enemy ” is contrary to the “ wisdom of this age ,” yet doing so is how we become “ perfect as the Heavenly Father .”

Jesus began to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God in Galilee following the arrest of John the Baptist, an incident that foreshadowed the opposition he would face throughout his mission. In the end, resistance to his efforts culminated in his own arrest, trial, and execution in Jerusalem. His message brought fulfillment but also adversity. Unlike the prophets of old, his work did  NOT  begin or center in Jerusalem, though it certainly ended there - (Matthew 4:13).

To be Christ’s disciple requires carrying his cross and following in his footsteps, even when doing so results in impoverishment or death - Mark 6:7-30. Jesus sent the Twelve Disciples to proclaim his Good News throughout the region. In the Gospel of Mark , this incident is followed by the execution of John the Baptist, whose death prepares the reader for the rejection that inevitably results when anyone decides to follow the Nazarene, no matter the cost.