Capítulo 1: Consuelo para los santos que estaban siendo perseguidos

2 Thessalonians 1
Versículos 1-2.— Como en la primera epístola, Pablo incluye a Silvano y a Timoteo en su saludo inicial a “la iglesia [asamblea] de los Tesalonicenses”. Y, como en la primera epístola, la “gracia” y “paz” son enviadas de “Dios nuestro Padre y del Señor Jesucristo”. Así, la Paternidad de Dios y el Señorío de Cristo se enfatizan de nuevo. Esto es porque Pablo entendió que conocer a Dios como nuestro Padre y a Jesucristo como nuestro Señor es esencial para el crecimiento y la madurez cristiana. El Señorío de Cristo es particularmente enfatizado en esta segunda epístola. El título “Señor” se usa más de 20 veces en tres cortos capítulos.
Versículo 3.— Pablo vio un progreso espiritual entre los santos de Tesalónica y agradeció a Dios por ello. Su “fe” crecía enormemente, y el “amor” de unos a otros estaba floreciendo. Sin embargo, como fue el caso de sus comentarios en la primera epístola (capítulo 3:6), aquí él no menciona la esperanza. La esperanza es el tercer elemento en el trío de virtudes que van de la mano en la normalidad de la vida cristiana. Brillando por su ausencia aquí, es evidente que aquella “esperanza bienaventurada” (Tito 2:1313Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)) había sido alterada en sus mentes, y probablemente es por eso por lo que Pablo no los elogiara por ser constantes como una vez lo habían sido (1 Tesalonicenses 1:33Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; (1 Thessalonians 1:3)). Vemos en el capítulo 2 que la mala enseñanza sobre “el día del Señor” se había infiltrado y les había trastornado la esperanza. Una de las razones principales por las que se escribió esta segunda epístola fue para aclarar este malentendido.
Versículo 4.— Pablo elogia a los creyentes de Tesalónica por continuar en el camino de la fe a pesar de las “persecuciones y tribulaciones” que estaban enfrentando. Esto demostró la realidad de su fe, y Pablo se regocijó al verla. Estas cosas les habían angustiado porque alguien les dijo (de forma incorrecta) que sus pruebas eran señales de que la Iglesia estaba pasando por los juicios asociados con el Día del Señor. Estas persecuciones, sin embargo, no eran los juicios de la Gran Tribulación, sino que eran sufrimientos relacionados con el cristianismo normal. Los cristianos están pasando por un mundo que odia a Cristo, y aquellos que se identifican con Su nombre naturalmente sufrirán persecución por ello (Juan 15:18-20, 16:33).
Versículos 5-6.— Pablo les asegura que su sufrimiento a manos de hombres impíos que habían rechazado el evangelio era una “demostración del justo juicio de Dios” que viene sobre este mundo. Su sufrimiento era una prueba de que todos esos incrédulos serían juzgados. Es algo justo; un Dios que no juzga el mal no es un Dios justo. Por lo tanto, Dios se justifica en su ejecución del juicio. En aquel día, Él equilibrará la balanza de la justicia. Para los santos de Tesalónica que sufrían persecución por parte de los hombres incrédulos de este mundo significaba que “se cambiarán los papeles”; el juicio será aplicado a aquellos que han rechazado la gracia de Dios y han infligido sufrimiento a los santos.
Pablo les dice que su sufrimiento por Cristo también mostró que habían sido “tenidos por dignos del reino de Dios”, ya que sufrir por Su causa es un privilegio dado a los santos (Filipenses 1:2929For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29)). Por esto, añade “por el cual asimismo padecéis”. Es como si les dijera: “Su firmeza en la persecución muestra que verdaderamente forman parte de aquellos que compartirán la gloria del reino de Cristo”. Es, por lo tanto, “justo para con Dios pagar con Tribulación” como forma de juicio a los rechazadores del evangelio.
Los dos lados de la Aparición de Cristo
Versículos 7-10.— Estos versículos indican que hay dos lados de la Aparición de Cristo, que son:
•  La ejecución de Su juicio sobre los impíos (versículos 7-9).
•  La manifestación de Su gloria en los santos ante el mundo (versículo 10).
El primer lado de su Aparición da inicio al “día del Señor” (1 Tesalonicenses 5:22For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2); 2 Pedro 3:1010But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)), el cual tiene que ver con la autoridad de su Señorío establecido en la tierra a través de juicio (Apocalipsis 10:1-21And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, (Revelation 10:1‑2)). El segundo lado de su Aparición da inicio al “día de Cristo” (1 Corintios 1:8; 3:13; 5:58Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8)
13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:13)
5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:5); 2 Corintios 1:1414As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:14); Filipenses 1:6,10; 2:166Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)
10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; (Philippians 1:10)
16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Philippians 2:16)), cuando Él será visto en la gloria de Su reino.
La ejecución del juicio
Versículo 7.— Pablo dice: “Y á vosotros, que sois atribulados, dar reposo con nosotros”. Debían esperar hasta que se “manifestara el Señor Jesús” (la Aparición), cuando Él intervendrá para poner este mundo en orden. En ese momento, “[juzgará] al mundo con justicia, por aquel varón al cual determinó” (Hechos 17:3131Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)). Mientras tanto, los cristianos no han sido llamados a corregir los males e injusticias del mundo, involucrándose en sus asuntos. Simplemente estamos de paso por el mundo como “extranjeros y peregrinos” en nuestro camino al cielo (1 Pedro 2:1111Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:11)), y por lo tanto debemos dejar que “el tiesto [pleitee] con los tiestos de la tierra” (Isaías 45:9,9Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? (Isaiah 45:9) traducción J. N. Darby). Nuestra responsabilidad en este mundo es dar testimonio de Cristo por medio de la predicación del evangelio con el fin de que algunos, por la gracia de Dios, puedan ser salvos. El mundo se pondrá en orden cuando haya “juicios en la tierra” por parte de Dios, que comenzarán con la Aparición de Cristo (Isaías 26:99With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)); no se pondrá en orden por la influencia de los cristianos piadosos y su predicación del evangelio.
Pablo continúa elaborando acerca del juicio que será ejecutado en la Aparición de Cristo. “Se manifestará el Señor Jesús del cielo con los ángeles de su potencia, en llama de fuego, para dar el pago á los que no conocieron á Dios” (versículos 7-8). Traerá a Sus ángeles consigo para realizar dos obras distintas: una es ejecutar el juicio sobre los pecadores en el reino de los cielos, arrojándolos directamente al infierno (el lago de fuego) sin pasar por la muerte (Mateo 13:38-42; 24:37-4138The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:38‑42)
37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:37‑41)), y la otra es para la bendición de las diez tribus de Israel, reuniéndolas de vuelta a su patria (Mateo 24:3131And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31)).
Pablo habla de dos clases generales de incrédulos que serán juzgados:
•  “Los que no conocieron a Dios”.— Son gentiles que han vivido en la ignorancia de Dios el Salvador, sin haber escuchado nunca el evangelio de Su gracia (1 Tesalonicenses 4:55Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: (1 Thessalonians 4:5)), pero que han rechazado la revelación que les ha dado de Sí mismo a través de la creación (Salmo 19:1-61<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. 2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. 3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. (Psalm 19:1‑6); Romanos 1:2020For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)).
•  Los que “no obedecen al evangelio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo”.— Son personas que son conscientes de ello, que han oído el evangelio y conocen el camino de la salvación, pero lo han rechazado (1 Pedro 4:1717For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17); 2 Pedro 2:20-2120For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (2 Peter 2:20‑21)).
Estos pecadores “serán castigados de eterna perdición por la presencia del Señor” a través de los juicios que comienzan con la Aparición de Cristo. Pablo no entra en detalles aquí sobre cómo y cuándo estas dos clases de pecadores serán tratados, algo que sería revelado por un estudio cuidadoso de la profecía. Basta decir que la Aparición de Cristo da inicio al “[juicio] de los vivos” (Hechos 10:4242And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (Acts 10:42); 2 Timoteo 4:11I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 4:1); 1 Pedro 4:55Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5)). Este es un término general que cubre tres juicios distintos de personas vivas:
•  El Juicio de la Siega (Mateo 13:37-4337He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:37‑43); Apocalipsis 14:14-1614And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. (Revelation 14:14‑16); Isaías 24:1-231Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. 2And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. 3The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word. 4The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. 5The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. 7The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh. 8The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth. 9They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it. 10The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in. 11There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone. 12In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction. 13When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done. 14They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea. 15Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires, even the name of the Lord God of Israel in the isles of the sea. 16From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously. 17Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. 18And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. 19The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. 21And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. 23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. (Isaiah 24:1‑23)).
•  El Juicio del Lagar (Vendimia) (Apocalipsis 14:17-2017And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (Revelation 14:17‑20); Isaías 63:1-61Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. (Isaiah 63:1‑6); Joel 3:9-179Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 10Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 11Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. 12Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 13Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. 14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. 15The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. 16The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. 17So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. (Joel 3:9‑17)).
•  El Juicio de Sesiones (Mateo 25:31-4631When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:31‑46)).
Algunos piensan que el juicio de la “eterna perdición” (2 Tesalonicenses 1:99Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:9); Filipenses 3:1919Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:19); Mateo 7:1313Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matthew 7:13); 2 Pedro 2:1,12; 3:16,1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)
12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; (2 Peter 2:12)
16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:16) etc.) significa que los incrédulos serán consumidos por el fuego del juicio de Dios y dejarán de existir. Esta falsa doctrina se llama Aniquilacionismo. La Palabra de Dios indica que la destrucción eterna no tiene que ver con la pérdida de la existencia de una persona, sino con la pérdida eterna del bienestar de una persona bajo el juicio de Dios.
Job 14:2222But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn. (Job 14:22) y Job 30:2424Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction. (Job 30:24) indican que los incrédulos siguen existiendo después de morir. Estos versículos dicen que se “entristecen” y “claman” incluso después de haber sido destruidos en la muerte.
Apocalipsis 19:2020And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20) nos dice que la Bestia y el falso profeta fueron arrojados vivos al lago de fuego. Luego, en el capítulo 20, se nos dice que después de que el diablo conduzca una breve rebelión contra el Señor al final del Milenio, será tomado y arrojado al lago de fuego; y dice: “donde está la bestia y el falso profeta” (Apocalipsis 20:1010And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)). ¡La Bestia y el falso profeta siguen allí sufriendo en el lago de fuego después del reino milenario de Cristo! No dejaron de existir.
Apocalipsis 14:10-1110The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:10‑11) dice que los adoradores de la Bestia serán “atormentados con fuego y azufre delante de los santos ángeles, y delante del Cordero: Y el humo del tormento de ellos sube para siempre jamás ... y no tienen reposo día ni noche”. Y otra vez, Apocalipsis 20:1010And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10) dice que aquellos que estén en una eternidad perdida “serán atormentados día y noche para siempre jamás”. El tormento es una condición que requiere de una persona existente para soportarlo. No se puede atormentar lo que ya no existe.
En Marcos 9:48,48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:48) el Señor dijo: “El gusano de ellos no muere”. Esto también indica que los tormentos de la conciencia culpable de los perdidos no cesarán bajo el castigo eterno.
Incluso en el lenguaje ordinario, “perdición” (o “destrucción”, traducción King James en inglés) no significa que algo deje de existir. Por ejemplo, si tomamos un hacha y cortamos en pedazos una hermosa mesa de madera, podríamos ser acusados de haber destruido la mesa. Sin embargo, aun habría tanto material tirado en el suelo como lo había cuando existía como una hermosa mesa. “Destruida” simplemente significa que la mesa ya no puede ser usada para el propósito para el que fue hecha, pero el material con el que fue construida todavía existe. Lo mismo ocurre con la destrucción de los seres humanos. El hombre fue hecho para la gloria de Dios (Isaías 43:2121This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise. (Isaiah 43:21); Apocalipsis 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)); si entra en la destrucción eterna, ya no puede ser restaurado a través de la salvación para el propósito para el que fue creado.
La manifestación de la gloria de Cristo con los santos
Versículo 10.— Como ya mencionamos, el segundo lado de la Aparición de Cristo tiene que ver con la manifestación de Su gloria con los santos. El Señor no solo traerá a Sus poderosos ángeles cuando venga (versículo 7), sino que también traerá a “Sus santos” (Zacarías 14:55And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:5); 1 Tesalonicenses 3:13; 4:1413To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14); Judas 1414And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14); Apocalipsis 19:1414And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14)). En ese momento, Él será “glorificado en Sus santos, y á hacerse admirable en aquel día en todos los que creyeron”. Los santos, en ese día de manifestación, brillarán a Su semejanza, y los hombres y los ángeles los mirarán con asombro y alabarán la gloria de la gracia de Dios (Efesios 1:6,126To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)
12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:12)). Esta manifestación, por supuesto, incluirá a los santos de Tesalónica. Pablo, por lo tanto, agrega en un paréntesis: “Por cuanto nuestro testimonio ha sido creído entre vosotros” (versículo 10). Así, Dios usará a los santos para dar gloria a Cristo (Juan 17:22-2322And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:22‑23)).
Es triste decir que en estos días de debilidad y fracaso entre los cristianos, a menudo es al revés. El mundo nos mira y encuentra justificación (o así ellos piensan) para no creer en el evangelio. Al igual que los judíos que causaron que el nombre de Dios fuera blasfemado entre los gentiles por su mal comportamiento (Romanos 2:2424For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. (Romans 2:24)), la Iglesia ha causado que muchos en este mundo se alejen de recibir a Cristo. Pero en el día venidero del que Pablo está hablando aquí, será todo lo contrario; muchos acudirán al Señor cuando vean lo que Su gracia ha obrado en la Iglesia (Efesios 1:6,126To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)
12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:12)), y con Israel (Salmo 47:99The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. (Psalm 47:9); Isaías 60:1-221Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 5Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. 6The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the Lord. 7All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. 8Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? 9Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. 10And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee. 11Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. 12For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. 13The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. 14The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 15Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. 16Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. 17For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. 18Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. 19The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 20Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 22A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:1‑22); Zacarías 2:10-11; 8:22-2310Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. 11And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (Zechariah 2:10‑11)
22Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. 23Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. (Zechariah 8:22‑23)).
La oración de Pablo por los santos de Tesalónica
Versículos 11-12.— Pablo les declara a los tesalonicenses acerca de sus oraciones por ellos. Su preocupación principal aquí era que, como iban a ser usados para glorificar a Cristo en un día venidero, debían esforzarse para glorificarlo mientras aún estaban aquí en la tierra. Podemos ver en esta oración que Pablo entendía que, en el pueblo de Dios, todo crecimiento que resulta en un testimonio para Cristo es realmente producido por Su gracia trabajando en sus corazones. Por lo tanto, él ora para que Dios se complazca en tenerlos por “dignos de su vocación” de sufrimiento por Cristo, y que “hinche de bondad todo buen intento” por una “obra de fe con potencia” en ellos. Y, como resultado, sabrían cómo comportarse bajo la persecución para que “el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo sea glorificado”. Aquí se reconoce que esto solo puede ser realizado por “la gracia de nuestro Dios y del Señor Jesucristo”. Toda la alabanza, por lo tanto, debe dirigirse a Aquel que ha llamado a los cristianos a este testimonio.