Some Aspects of Those Who Oppose the Gospel of God
When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they positioned themselves in opposition to God. The sons of Adam throughout the world and through history have maintained this enmity. As haters of God and haters of Christ, the natural man continues to resist God (Rom 1:30; Jn 7:7).
By joining Satan’s rebellion, humanity refuses to submit to the rule and reign of God. Instead, sinners are slaves to Satan and his world system. The children of the devil are selfish and self-seeking (Jn 8:44). In this, they imitate their father, the devil, who has been a liar and murderer from the beginning.
Those who do not know God and who do not obey the Gospel of God are recipients of God’s vengeance (2 Thess 1:8). The wrath of God is ever-directed against the ungodly and unrighteous because they are not pleasing to God, although they may be quite religious (Rom 1:18). In fact, it was the Jewish religious leaders who killed the prophets of Israel and even Jesus Messiah (1 Thess 2:15).
Those who oppose the kingdom of God and the righteous reign of King Jesus are people of the world. They aspire to gain more of this world. In filling up the full measure of sins, there is no end to the shame of their undisciplined lives (1 Thess 2:16; 2 Thess 3:11, 14).
Lusting for sex, popularity, money, and glory from men, these perverse and evil men transgress and defraud others (1 Thess 2:6; 4:3, 5). With no love for the truth, they take pleasure in wickedness. They have no faith, only wanting to be gods themselves.
Those who are opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ do so from outside the church with malice. They persecute Christians and try to destroy the assemblies of God’s called out ones (1 Thess 1:13). Following Paul’s synagogue ministry in each city there would arise a company of Jews who would create trouble for the missionary team. Knowing the Greeks wanted peace with the Roman authorities, slanderous lies about the ministry team would be told and riots incited to present them in the worst possible way.
The persecution of the church at Jerusalem was instigated by fellow Jews. The persecution of the church at Thessalonica was the work of fellow Greeks but by the design of the smaller Jewish contingent. In this present evil age, secular idolatry and competitive religious fervor pose a constant threat to Christ’s church, everywhere.
Those who are opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ do so from inside the church with subterfuge. These enemies of Christ infiltrate the church with false teaching. The Apostle Paul called them “false brethren” (1 Thess 2:4). They have a gospel that is different from the Apostolic Gospel of the disciples and of Paul.
Having not the Spirit of Christ, these false teachers have plenty of work for you to do in order for you to be a “real” Christian. They distort the Gospel of Christ by adding something to God’s grace. These men and women are often very ambitious to advance in position and power within the church. Once they secure that power, they corrupt seminaries and whole denominations. The churches are polluted and become synagogues of Satan.
Doctrine matters and so does practice. Again, using Paul as an example, consider his ever-present need to defend himself to the churches he planted as a missionary. His Gospel preaching brought Jews, God-fearers, and Greeks to faith in Jesus Christ. How quickly these new congregations were giving heed to charlatans who entered their ranks.
With flattering speech (1 Thess 2:5), the doctrine of demons soon took hold of many congregations in need of correction, reproof, and rebuke (2 Time 3:16; Rev 2–3). The motive of these angels of light is never love for God, love of the truth, nor love for God’s people. Their error and deceit are motivated by greed and the desire to destroy the church from within. Once a congregation is poisoned, these wicked people move on to their next place of destruction. The Bible calls these people “accursed” and “anathema.”
The church of God in Christ Jesus our Lord suffers greatly from those who oppose her, but God’s grace is sufficient for us. When the body of Christ is weak, He is strong. The judgment coming to the oppressors is near and certainly sure. These people have no protection from God (2 Thess 3:3), whose wrath is pointed toward them even now, for their work to thwart the Gospel in the power of Satan and his demon minions (Rom 1:18; 1 Thess 2:18; 2 Thess 2:2).
The hypocrites stand condemned (1 Thess 2:11, 13) by the righteous Judge of the living and the dead, who is the omnipresent and omniscient Lord of all. The trials and tribulation caused by these menaces will exponentially return to them for eternity. Their distress and affliction will know no end.
As brethren beloved by God, let us comfort and encourage one another with the knowledge of our deliverance and their day of justice. The foolish reprobate will be persuaded and bewitched by these who wrongly present the Word of truth. The masquerade will soon be over and those who opposed the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ will be exposed for being the true troublers of Israel.
Despite their escorting many souls to eternal punishment in fiery hell, forever, they will have zero success in thieving God’s elect from the hand of the Good Shepherd, for His promise to His own is that He will not lose even one.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 23, 2023
