Persecution is nothing new to the Church. More Christians were martyred in the 100 years from 1900 to 2000 than in any other century. In the New Testament age, Christians across the Roman Empire were on the verge of ten public persecutions lasting over 300 years. The first martyr, Stephen (Acts 7), was soon followed by the Apostle James (Acts 12:2). Christians were harassed by the law, abused by their neighbors, shunned in the markets, assaulted in their homes and murdered in the streets. The Thessalonians were among this number.

I. Tried (2 Thess 1:4). There’s an evangelical myth that trials show we’re out of the will of God, we’re in sin and being punished by God, that our faith is weak, God doesn’t care, or that Satan is sovereign. Yet Jesus warned His disciples to expect persecution and trials because the unsaved hated Him, they will also hate His followers (Jn 15:18-25; 16:33). Peter wrote for us not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you (1 Pet 5:12).
The word tribulations refers to general suffering, trouble, pressure, squeezing. Persecution is a specific kind of tribulation. It’s an organized harassment. Paul persecuted the Church to prove his zeal for the Mosaic Law (Acts 8:13; Phil 3:6). Paul actively labored to destroy the message of grace through faith in Jesus and protect self-righteousness, but God’s grace reached even him (Acts 9).
Paul commended the Thessalonians who were growing in faith, love, and patience despite their trials. Patience literally means to stand under. It refers to endurance, steadfastness, courage, fortitude under pressure. It’s an attitude or virtue of how difficulty is handled rather than a waiting for something to be finished.

II. Tested (2 Thess 1:5). We usually avoid pressure, but the Thessalonians’ faith withstood the pressure, unshaken and unbroken, proving it was genuine (Phil 1:28-30; 1 Pet 1:5-9). Perseverance in trials doesn’t earn salvation or keep one saved. Consistent faith in trials, however, is a proof of salvation (Acts 14:22; 1 Thess 2:12; 1 Pet 5:10). It reveals God’s righteous judgment (verdict or assessment) of the genuine nature of the faith He gifts us. It is the manifest evidence (verification or proof) that we belong to, and are kept, by Him (1 Pet 1:5-9; Heb 12:10).

III. True (2 Thess 1:5). Perseverance is a proof of being worthy (kataxioo, declared or counted valuable) of God’s kingdom, revealing the genuine value of faith in Jesus (Acts 5:41).
Christians don’t seek out suffering or persecution to make us pure or prove anything; the theological issue is how we endure suffering. We can’t persevere unless we are tested. The test proves value. A new car model is designed, built, and tested. The test isn’t to destroy the car, but to prove it will do what it’s been designed to accomplish. Each passed test demonstrates the skill and ability of the maker.
Every descendant of Adam suffers in this world raped, ravaged, and rotting by sin. Suffering is common to all people. The difference is the believer’s attitude when suffering. Trials are a tool used by God to sanctify and build Christlike character in us. Trials drive the unsaved to curse God; they drive believers to their knees in prayer and uplifted hands in praise and thankfulness to God’s grace.
Christians today will suffer to varying degrees for following Jesus, but our suffering points us Heavenward to our eternal comfort and reward (2 Cor 4:17-18). This also means the unsaved will also suffer in the future for their evil today.