“When he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.” (2 Thessalonians 1:10 (ESV)
Today’s text continues the Apostle Paul’s thoughts to the Thessalonian believers. It builds upon the foundation of the previous context of 2 Thess. 1:1-9.
Paul addressed the existence of evil. He acknowledged the Thessalonian believers had experienced suffering because of their “work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:3). Apparently, some of their suffering was pretty intense and continuous.
Following the Apostle Paul’s declaration concerning the ultimate damnation of those “who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thess. 1:8), he then returned to the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ’s return (I Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-11).
When He comes on that day. The noun day (ἡμέρᾳ; hemera) refers to the specific time when Jesus Christ brings His final judgment upon the wicked (2 Thess. 1:9). Paul previously referred to this as the Day of the Lord (I Thess. 5:2). Notice Paul used the conjunction when (ὅταν; hotan) and not “if.” Jesus’ coming for the righteous and His judgment upon the wicked is certain; not just possible or even probable.
When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior! – P.P. Bliss (1875)
We often focus on what believers in Christ will experience when the Lord Jesus returns. We almost never focus upon what the Lord experiences when He comes again. In today’s text, Paul mentioned two things will occur.
First, Jesus will be glorified in his saints. To be glorified (ἐνδοξασθῆναι; endoxasthenai) is an aorist, passive infinitive verb. It means to receive infinite honor and glory. It is to receive great honor with the saints (ἁγίοις; hagiois) who are God’s justified, redeemed and reconciled. Jesus Christ has always possessed inherent glory for who He is (John 17:1-5). When He returns, He will also receive further glory for what He has accomplished in the saints.
Second, Jesus will be marveled at among all who have believed. To be marveled at (θαυμασθῆναι; thaumasthenai) is also an aorist, passive, infinitive verb. It means to receive infinite wonder and amazement among all who have believed (πιστεύσασιν; pisteusasin). All who have trusted in, committed to, depended upon and worshiped the Lord Jesus Christ temporally during their life on earth will do so eternally in heaven.
The reason for this ultimate reality was the earthly reality of the Thessalonians’’ conversion (Acts 17:1-9). Their glorification and marveling of the Lord Jesus Christ occurred when Paul, Silas and Timothy proclaimed the truth of the Gospel to the Thessalonians’ and they believed.
“When the day of the Lord arrives bringing retribution and ruin for unbelievers, and Christ’s great glory is displayed, the result will be rest and relief for believers and the privilege of sharing his glory (cf. Phil. 3:21; 1 John 3:2). This is the glorious manifestation of believers, of which Paul spoke (Rom. 8:18–19). At the time, all believers will adore and worship Christ, including those in the Thessalonian church who believed Paul’s testimony of the gospel,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
John Calvin writes, “This is the crowning and choice consolation of the pious, that when the Son of God will be manifested in the glory of His kingdom, He will gather them into the same fellowship with Himself. There is, however, an implied contrast between the present condition in which believers labor and groan, and that final restoration. For they are now exposed to the reproaches of the world, and are looked upon as vile and worthless. But then, they will be precious and full of dignity, when Christ will pour forth His glory upon them.”
May our encouragement from God sustain us in the midst of the daily battle against the fallen world, our remaining sinful flesh, and the devil. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
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