CHRIST GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS
2
THESSALONIANS 1:10
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2
Thessalonians 1:7-10, What a difference between 1st, 2nd
comings of Christ!
1st
– despised, reject of men. Die in
shame, sorrow.
2nd
– with unexampled splendor.
1st
– small value human opinion placed upon Him.
Herod Antipas…
2nd
– but that day…
When
speaks of His coming in glory, at same time (1:8) in flaming fire taking
vengeance… This great terror to all the
unbelieving. If not bow, worship
lovingly, then compelled to bow objectly, in terror. But this not the main object for which He came. Not His chief
glory. Does this, as it were, by the
way, matter of necessity – in this His spirit no delight. His great purpose, the new heaven, earth,
city and people of God.
The text
(1:10) two things:
“glorified” To be glorified in. To ascribe glory to, to honor, esteem. Favorable recognition, esteem, renown,
praise.
To
wonder, admire.
“In His
saints”
“In all
them that believe”
The
crowning glory of Christ – His people (not stars, universe). Colossians 1;27, “Christ in you the hope of
glory.” The design of His coming.
I.
“GLORIFIED
IN HIS SAINTS”
“When He
shall come.”
1.
These
are days of preparation.
Compare: Esther, so long, so carefully prepared to
see the king. So we, “prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband.”
Compare: The virgin waiting for the bridegroom. So our lamps are being trimmed. This is our night when we must watch, wait,
prepared on Passover night, loins gird, ready for journey out of Egypt.
But the
morning comes, according to the sure word of prophecy. Night over – clouds removed – every veil
gone – every eye see Him. The full
glory of Christ.
2.
We
endeavor to glorify Him now.
By our
faith, believing in Him, homage at His feet, confess Him…
By our
actions, walking in His way, reflecting His light.
But so
frail and feeble a way: grieve the Holy Spirit. Want of zeal. Lack of
faith.
But then
–
Oh, happy
day, rid of inward corruption, shall shine in clear, pure radiance, like moon
on Passover night when it looks the sun full in the face then shines on earth
at her best.
He is
glorified now, even by the little that we do; but at last, in what we are,
perfect sons of God.
3.
This
the destiny of saints – “because testing was believed.”
All this
through trusting in Christ, belief in Him.
No perfect
character based on self esteem. Faith
the bulb, saintship the fragrant flower.
Based on faith in Him.
They
believed the testing of the apostles concerning Christ.
God
manifest in the flesh.
Suffering
for our sins.
Raised
from the dead.
Ascended
into heaven.
Coming
again.
II.
“WONDERED
AT IN ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE”
“Admired,”
Old English word as Greek, “wonder.”
Startled at the surprising glory of the Lord’s work. We thought He do great things, but
this! Surpasseth conception. Never imagined such transfiguration of
excessive glory.
1.
The
angels.
The
creation of the universe each one a new wonder.
When He
stooped from heaven to earth, desired to look.
But when
they see the blood-bought ransomed, see their beloved Prince come back with
10,000s of His saints, washed, robes white in blood of the Lamb – angels never
anticipated such deeds of grace. Knew
He had undertaken a great work, but not know why do so much for His people.
2.
Satan,
his defeated legions, and the lost spirits of rejecting men overthrown – judged
– defeat – despair – utterly crushed – damned.
Ungodly
men – who once sold poor for a pair of shoes, trampled upon God’s children,
slew them, fed them to beasts, when see the least of His saints, a prince,
shining as sun – what despair….
Diabolical
spirits, defeated in men who once were their slaves. Redeemed…Jesus receiving His feeble sheep, taking the lambs from
between the lion’s jaws.
Satan –
looks, beholds:
Not one
lost redeemed by His blood.
Not one
snatched away of all the sheep Father gave Him.
Not one
warrior fallen in day of battle.
But all
more than conqueror…
With what
anguish sinks into hell, prepared for him, his angels, hearing all heaven,
earth, star, shout Hallelujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth…the accuser of
our breathren is cast down..
3.
His
people.
1.
Wonder
at the change in ourselves.
Every
saint will glorify Christ in himself, admire Christ in himself.
What
wonder, such a poor creature as I then perfected; this miracle He hath wrought
upon me. When Christ appears, we shall
be like Him – see Him as He is. His
manifestation, our manifestation. Today,
we are like vessels on the potter’s wheel, half finished. But then – so weak here, so little
knowledge, power, but there.
Our risen
bodies. They in heaven, pure spirits,
we here clothed in flesh. If He tarries
– the poor body must sleep awhile, a shriveled seed – but a glorious
resurrection beyond all thought.
Sown in
weakness, raised in power.
Sown in
corruption, raised in incorruption.
2.
Wonder
at the change in others. Amazing.
What
Christ hath wrought in them. Filled
with delight, gratitude. Shall as much
admire Lord’s handiwork in others as ourselves.
Every one
of them a proof of His power to save.
Heirs of wrath dead in trespasses and in sins, like sheep gone
astray. But look at them. See how He has saved them – washed,
cleansed, perfected. Eye can hardly
bear the light, shining upon glittering white robes.
Idol-worshipping
Thessalonica, plunged in sins – transformed by the gospel of Christ. Men with no god, many gods, in ignorance,
puffed up with carnal wisdom…
Some
supremely stubborn, such as iron..
You
drunkard made into a saints.
You
blasphemy, made into a loving, disciple.
You
persecutor breathing out threatening…preaching the gospel.
All in
hell were it not for the grace, loved of God…all brought to believe in Great
Redeemer, praise Him for salvation; not saved by own merit, but by faith in
Him.
Now all
perfected – without spot…fault before the throne.
3.
Brought
through all the trials of the way. Kept
them.
Faith
kept alive when otherwise faith would have died.
Sustained
them when others would have fainted.
Held them
when others feet would have slipped.
4.
“Admired
in all them that believe.”
All will
be there; little ones as well as great ones.
Not one misery, Jesus not come till the last one in the fold. The glory of Jesus that He has lost none of
His flock.
“No man
could number. Saved, washed.
