"These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power," v.9
Read chapter 1
The second letter to the Thessalonians appears to have the same context as the first. Being written most likely during the time Paul was in Corinth for a year and a half (Acts 18) after his visit to Thessalonians in Acts 17 while Paul is still with Silas and Timothy. This second letter was to clear up some confusion from a false letter that was supposedly from Paul about future events.
One of these future events he clears up is the final judgement and glory that will take place with the believers and nonbelievers. We have to realize that this isn't at the start of the kingdom but at the beginning of His thousand year reign. God will first bring enlightenment to all who do not know God which will be what God does first at His kingdom. Paul says that those that don't know God nor obey the gospel will be revenged and be punished with everlasting destruction. Why revenge if they're just deceived? But if we understand that this is after the hundreds of years of the premillennial kingdom where everyone will know the gospel of Jesus Christ and purposely rebel against Christ on these He will deserve revenge. The Greek word for destruction here is olethros which means extermination. The penalty will always stand that they'll be exterminated from God's punishment. This isn't constantly being destroyed but exterminated, never to come back or receive a second chance. We can yet not say this will be anyone today but what those choose to respond in the kingdom of following Jesus of purposeful rebellion and not during this time of deception. Christ's coming isn't just to come with vengeance but to be glorified among His saints. How do you desire or fear the coming of Christ?
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