2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,… I. THERE IS A TIME COMING WHEN CHRIST SHALL BE FULLY REVEALED AND COME ALL HIS GLORY. 1. What is this revelation? The coming of Christ is set forth as an apocalypse and as an epiphany. The former is in the text, and in 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Corinthians 1:7, and means an unveiling; the latter is in 2 Timothy 4:8, Titus 2:13, and means a forth-flashing. The former is used because — (1) Many have never seen Him (Acts 3:21). This does not hinder His spiritual virtue and influence although it does the enjoyment of His bodily presence! (1 Peter 1:8). (2) His earthly state was obscure, His Godhead peeping through the veil in a miracle or so. (3) His spiritual glory is seen but in a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12). Vision is reserved for heaven (John 17:24). (4) His kingdom is not always clear to the world (Luke 17:20). (5) His subjects are under a veil (Colossians 3:3; 1 John 3:2; Romans 8:19). 2. That this time is coming is evident from — (1) The promise of His coming. This ancient promise (Jude 1:14, 15) was ever kept afoot in the Church. The scoffers took notice of it (2 Peter 3:4). It has been revived by all the Lord's messengers. Moses, David, Samuel, Joel, Zechariah, Malachi, and more clearly by Christ (John 14:3). Christ would not flatter us into a fool's paradise. (2) His remembrancers in the Church (1 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Timothy 4:1). (3) Our inward pledge of it. At parting there is a giving of tokens. Christ has gone to make ready for the day of His espousals. To prevent suspicion He left His Spirit to stir up in us expectation of that day (Romans 8:23; Revelation 22:17). (4) Our constant experience of His love and care. There are frequent messages of love passing between us and Christ, in His word, prayer, sacraments, to show that He does not forget us. (5) The interest of Christ which is concerned in it. (a) Partly that the glory of His Person may be seen and fully discovered. His first coming was obscure, in the form of a servant, with a poor retinue, etc.; now He comes as the Lord of all in power and great glory. (b) That He may possess what He has purchased (1 Peter 1:18, 19; John 14:3; Hebrews 3:13). (c) That He may overthrow the wicked (Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:10, 11; Philippians 2:10). (d) That He may require an account of things during His absence (Matthew 25.). II. WHEN CHRIST COMES HE WILL BRING HIS MIGHTY ANGELS WITH HIM. 1. Those angels are mighty (Psalm 103:20). One slaughtered many thousands of Sennacherib's army in a single night. Their greatness is mentioned to show the excellency of our Redeemer who is greater than all. 2. He will bring them — (1) To show His glory and majesty. The most excellent creatures are at His command (1 Peter 3:22; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 1:4-7). (2) Because He has a service for them. (a) To gather the elect (Matthew 24:31). This shall complete their many services on His behalf and ours (Luke 2:18, 14; 1 Corinthians 11:10; 1 Timothy 5:21; Luke 15:7, 10; Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 34:7; Luke 16:22). (b) To execute His sentence on the wicked (Matthew 13:41, 42, 49). (c) To show that they are part of the army commanded by the Captain of our salvation. (Psalm 68:17). (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, |
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