1Thessalonians 2:13-16

Persecution cannot hinder God's covenant

Imitate the churches of God in Christ Jesus: persevere and endure.

There is a plan governing persecution of God's people

Gen. 3:1; Rev 12:1ff

There is rage governing the persecution of God's people.

Matt 26:67-68; Matt 27:25

There is persistence in the persecution of the Lord of God's people.

Acts 9:4-5 "why are you persecuting Me?"Imitating the churches.

Imitating the churches:

Hebrews 6:12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

God judges persecutors of His people throughout time and into eternity.

Who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets.

Matthew 16:21; 21:23ff; Nehemiah 9:26

Who persecuted the apostles and servants of the New Covenant.

Gal 1:13 Acts 9:1, 13. Acts 23:12

But wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

Romans 12:19; Acts 22:21-22; Matthew 23:31-37

Comfort for the people of God.

God gives assurance and power through the Holy Spirit.

1Thess 1:6 "....with joy of the Holy Spirit."

John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever -- "the Spirit of truth,...

God gives assurance and power through His word.

1Thess 2:13 "the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."

Revelation 19:11, 13, 15

God has people who believe His word of Truth in every generation: Westminster Larger Catechism 4

God gives assurance and comfort through His people.

1Thess 2:16, the task before them

1Thess 1:7 examples; 2:14 imitators.

God has faithful churches in every generation: Wesminster Confession of Faith 25.5

Receive the word preached as the word of God, effective to work in you.

Persecution: is designed to raise doubts in your mind; is designed to make God seem to be unreasonable; is an attack on the truth. You're just a target.

Romans 11:33-36