Paul is thanking God here for the believers in Thessalonica because, even in the midst of persecutions and difficulties which they are experiencing, their faith and patience are growing and they are exhibiting love to each other. Is this easy to do? No, it isn’t. If we are being persecuted or going through trials, the first thing many of us do is get impatient or start questioning what God is doing or why He isn’t acting better on our behalf. There is no indication these people did that. God never says anywhere we will not suffer or not be persecuted if we are His. However, He does give us this assurance—that the Lord Jesus will appear with His angels to take vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel and those who cause hardship and persecution on believers. Their punishment? Everlasting destruction. It’s very hard, but we need to be praying for those who misuse us or cause problems that they, too, might be brought under the power of the Spirit and surrender their life to Christ so that when He calls us to Himself in the rapture, they, too, will ascend with us.

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”