Glorified in His Saints 2 Thessalonians 1:10

Paul the apostle told the Thessalonian church members “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels”, he would “in flaming fire” take “vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”. He added that they “shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power”. In chapter one and verse ten of this second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul continued his thought as he contrasted those who oppose Him with how He will be “glorified in his saints” where we read:

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day.

The verse begins, “When he shall come to be glorified in his saints,...” Paul began with the word “when” which means “whenever, as long as and as soon as” “he shall come” which refers to “Jesus arising, coming forth, appearing and being established” “to be glorified” or “adorned with glory and blessedness” “in his saints” which means “his most holy, sacred, pure, morally blameless and ceremonially consecrated people”. When the Lord Jesus appears, he will be “established” in His people whom He has saved and sanctified by way of their faith and trust in Him.

The verse continues, “...and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day.” Paul added, “and to be admired” or “wondered at, marveled at, and to be had in admiration” “in all” which means “each, every, any, all, the whole and everyone” “them that believe” or “think to be true, are persuaded of, to credit and place confidence in the trust that Jesus is able to aid in obtaining and doing something such as saving faith”. Paul continued parenthetically, “because” which means “since, as though and for” “our testimony” which refers to Paul and his companions' “evidence or witness” “among you” which refers to the Thessalonian church members “was believed” or “thought to be true, was persuaded of, credited to and was placed confidence in” “in that day” which refers to “the time period when Jesus is revealed”. When Jesus is revealed in His saints, people will marvel at the wonderful transformation which has taken place in those who trusted in, relied upon and clung to Him.

When we think through these words of Paul, we certainly want to belong to this group of “saints”. Jesus will be revealed not only to bring destruction upon those who disobey and oppose Him, but also to “glorify” those who have put their trust in Him. Knowing that Jesus is going to do these things, how should we conduct ourselves in this world? The marvel of believing and trusting in Jesus is that He is able to demonstrate His “blessedness” in and through those who rely upon Him, and so the world may see Him accomplish His work in us in advance, may we open our lives to Him to “glorify” us in any manner He desires.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians that he prays they will be counted “worthy of this calling”,“fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness” and “the work of faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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