⁵ All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 

이는 하나님의 공의로운 심판의 표요 너희로 하여금 하나님의 나라에 합당한 자로 여기심을 얻게 하려 함이니 그 나라를 위하여 너희가 또한 고난을 받으리니

‘All this’ refers to the whole content of Paul’s boasting about the Thessalonians. Although in translations it appears without much distinction but the word for ‘evidence’ here ( a plain indication, NASB) occurs only once in the NT.[1] Probably used to emphasise the surety that is as great as the contrast between the current situation and the outcome in the future. The righteous judgment is, however, not to be understood as the purpose for the present suffering. Rather it is the other way round – current suffering is the result of the righteous judgement of God in the future in which you are considered worthy of the kingdom. Therefore Paul says his boasting in them – their increase in faith and love empowered by God himself and their endurance in suffering inflicted by the opposition and the fact they represent each other in all this – is a clear indication of the verdict in the final judgment.  

Thank you Lord for this word of yours on this Lord’s Day. Thank you for the clear indication that we are your children and that you consider us worthy of your kingdom. Not at all because of what we are going through now but all because of our big brother and mediator Christ Jesus your Son and what He has gone through. Because of that worthiness we go through good and bad things in this world. Let us bear it and withstand it steadfastly as the Thessalonians so that we please you who is already pleased with us because of Jesus. We give all glory and praise to you. Let us worship you wherever we are, in what stage of life we may be, with a worship that cannot be expressed in one session of service. Let us take our whole identity, profession, being to worship you for our whole life, as that is who you call worthy. We have that token in our breath. Praise be to you our God.   

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[1] ἔνδειγμα (endeigma) ‘evidence’ (G1730) evidence, plain indication. a token, evidence, proof, plain indication

Above image is of the bus tokens used in Seoul in 80’s, a clear indication that you will be accepted into the bus 🙂