By: Obed Pineda
In the year 315 B.C., the Macedonian ruler Cassander founded a city near the ancient city of Therma which would become a great and prosperous city due to its ideal geographical location, named in honor of his wife. This Macedonian city would serve as a catalyst of sorts for Alexander the Great’s desire of a unified world. The annals of history record Alexander once proclaiming that he had been sent by heaven to unite the East and the West, and thus put an end to all quarrels between nations, cultures, and social classes. His passion for this goal was so intense, that it is claimed that Alexander wept, after conquering the known world of his time, because there were no more worlds he could conquer. Alexander died in 323 B.C. failing in accomplishing his goal, but it was his successor, Cassander, who would unknowingly open the gate that several centuries later would be used to fulfill Alexander’s desire of making one world, just not the way he imagined it so (cf. Ephesians 2:14-18). Around 49 A.D., the apostle to the Gentiles would heed the vision of “A man of Macedonia [who] stood and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us’” (Acts 16:9, addition OP). Curiously, Paul and Alexander Magnus’ “paths” were very intertwined when viewed in hindsight. For example, Alexander’s kingdom of origin was the very Macedonia that Paul was directed to travel to through the vision (cf. Acts 16:6-10). The first fruits of the apostle’s Evangelistic works happened in the city of Philippi, a city named in honor of Alexander’s father, Philip II (cf. Acts 16:12-15). After being unjustly imprisoned, released, and asked to leave Philippi by its magistrates, Paul traveled to the city of Thessalonica; named after Alexander’s half-sister and Cassander’s wife (cf. Acts 17:1-4). This Macedonian city would prove to be pivotal in spreading the Gospel in great part because of the Via Egnatia (i.e. the Egnatian Road). The apostle Paul would declare in his first epistle to the church at Thessalonica, “from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything” (1st Thessalonians 1:8). The Thessalonian church’s great success did not come without consequences, unfortunately, sparking the envy and ire of the unbelieving Jews who fiercely opposed them through persecution (cf. Acts 17:5-9, 2nd Thessalonians 1:4-5). Thus, the Holy Spirit found it necessary to inspire Paul to write the first epistle to provide them with encouragement, comfort, and further instructions to aid them in their spiritual growth. One of the main lessons taught to them in his first epistle was in regards to Christ’s second coming. Regrettably this lesson would find itself in need of more clarity (in great part because there were some who were likely twisting Paul’s words, cf. 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3) and therefore the second epistle of Thessalonians was penned by the inspired apostle. Second Thessalonians could be resumed in two major points: 1) God’s just reward of the righteous and 2) God’s punishment of the unrighteous. The contrast made by the inspired amanuensis between the respective rewards of the obedient and disobedient is found in every chapter of the epistle. Paul begins by lauding the Thessalonian brethren “for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure” assuring them that this was “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” (2nd Thessalonians 1:4, 5-6). It is curious that the apostle finds their suffering as a positive thing because it allows God’s judgment upon the wicked to be just. It removed any false accusation made against God, accusing Him of “having favorites.” It is valuable to note that those making such heinous indictments are the very same who habitually sin, but desperately seek to avoid just retribution for their spiritual crimes (cf. Psalm 14, 53). Still, returning our focus to the apostle’s purpose, it can be seen that Paul is not only exhibiting God’s righteousness but he, too, brings out the undeniability of the Almighty’s sovereignty. Keep in mind that the intended goal of those persecuting the Christians in Thessalonica was to stop the progress the Church was making, ultimately seeking to eliminate it altogether (cf. Acts 17:5-15). Holy Writ reveals that their persistent pursuit of Paul and his companions was fueled by their own envy and jealousy because of the great success the Gospel was having in that region. Yet, no matter how hard they tried to snuff out the flames of God’s Word, they failed in doing so. They failed to recall Gamaliel’s warning to “keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39). Little did they realize that in their foolish pursuit, they were involuntarily aiding in the Church’s growth (cf. Acts 8:4, 17:1-18:17). Behold the parallel of Alexander and Paul with the unjust and the just! The Creator’s plans will always come to fruition regardless of whether man agrees with Him or not. Jehovah God can (and has) use the unwilling to accomplish His ultimate goal “for with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). This lesson Paul reveals in Romans as well, as he responds to the objection of the Israelites who had rejected the Gospel by the example of Pharaoh (cf. Romans 9:17). Observe that the Lord’s purpose could have been accomplished whether Pharaoh acquiesced to His commandment or not. Paul makes this clear as he unveils that God’s purpose was to “show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Had Pharaoh humbled himself before the Almighty and let Israel go, surely God would have blessed Egypt tremendously due to his obedience. Lamentably, because the obstinate king chose to repeatedly resist God’s will, his refusal did not deny God’s power to be displayed but rather greatly amplified it (cf. Joshua 2:8-11). God’s power and His name were known by all the inhabitants of the land, just as He had so declared it would be. Therefore, it should be of great comfort to know that if we remain true to God’s plan, it does not matter who is on the other side standing in opposition of us, because although we may not expect our paths to cross, God will always know how to use them for His purposes. For this reason we must never deviate from the road on which God has placed us, no matter how difficult it may appear to be.