2 Thessalonians 1:8

rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus [The patience and faith of the Thessalonians were a manifest token (i. e., pledge, proof or demonstration) of that coming day wherein God will disclose the righteousness of his judgments, and wherein all apparent violations of justice shall be rectified (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17; Philippians 1:28). The purpose of this judgment will be that those who suffer for the kingdom of God may graciously be counted worthy of the heavenly joys of that kingdom, and that the wicked may be punished. If it is indeed a righteous thing (and who can doubt it?) for God to recompense evil for evil, so that those who afflict the righteous shall themselves be afflicted, and those who have suffered affliction for righteousness' sake may find rest with their fellow-Christians when Jesus, who is now hidden from their sight in heaven, reveals himself to human vision with the angels which display his power, and with that flaming fire which at once shows forth his glory and consumes his enemies (Hebrews 10:27; Hebrews 12:29), rendering vengeance as a great judge, not as a resentful potentate, to them that willfully know not God-- Exodus 5:2; Romans 1:28; Luke 12:47-48; Romans 2:14-15 (principally Gentiles), and them that obey not the gospel (principally Jews)-- Romans 10:3; Romans 10:16. In verse 6 Paul draws a comparison between the law which forbids retaliation to the individual (Romans 12:17), and that which accords it to all government, especially the government of God himself, under whose rule unforgiven iniquity never escapes punishment (Hebrews 2:2; Revelation 20:12). He does this to show that God is under the second and not under the first law. In verse 7 we are reminded that the negative happiness of heaven is rest from all afflictions, sorrows, pains, persecutions, etc. (Hebrews 4:9; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 21:4). It is the quiet haven of the storm-tossed bark. Continuing the thought, Paul says further of the objects of God's vengeance--]: