May 7, 2024 -- II Thessalonians 1:9-10 -- Marveling at Jesus

9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 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.
II Thessalonians 1:9-10 ESV

There are two paths that lead to eternity. Those who serve the Lord Jesus Christ will be see Him glorified and spend eternity with Him in the new heavens and the new earth. Those who reject Him now will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord, that is, in hell.

How do you distinguish between the two? Sometimes God-haters are obvious. Sometimes they are present in among the saints in churches and Christian fellowship groups. The question that distinguishes the child of God from the one heading for destruction is this: “can I get away with this?” One who is heading for destruction doesn’t care so much about the glory of God as for his own ego, pleasure and comfort. One rushing toward ruin and hell is content with “close enough” to be pleasing to God.

However, the child of God seeks to please God. An adopted son or daughter, realizing the blessing of living in the household of God will bless Him, praise Him, seek to honour Him. It is a joy to empty out one’s life in service to God because of the incomprehensible love of God given in Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God stirs up the believer so he will acknowledge God’s presence and His goodness in every area of life.

What originally caught my attention was that Jesus will be marveled at among all who have believed. This is the condition which starts at the moment a man is truly saved and grows. Marveling at Jesus will fill the mind and the imagination through-out eternity. It is wonder and awe, having begun when a believer is saved, prompting to ask how can I serve Him more? This joy-filled obedience only grows through-out eternity. As one begins to understand more fully the excellencies of Jesus, His splendour beyond description, then more thoroughly will the saint in heaven clap his hand to his mouth and continually marvel at the humiliation of Jesus, Who left heaven to take on flesh and become a man, a hated man, so that by His sacrifice those who are awed before Him and spend their time delighting in Him, would be saved. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, Who alone lives in unapproachable light, how great is Your mercy and love. Thank You for Jesus Christ, the wonderful Savior, before Whom we marvel, almost unable to put words together to express His magnificence and beneficence. Spirit of God, sent by the Father and the Son to live in us, teach us more of the glorious salvation that is ours in Jesus, so that with all the saints here on earth and those in the light of His presence will be deepened in our precious faith and continually grow in our capacity to marvel at Him. Spirit, incline our minds to serve Him more perfectly and our hands seek greater acts of obedience which express our loving devotion to Him. Amen.

https://youtu.be/fK6sYVQCqhs?si=o7ACAyP3wQe75LUH “Wonderful, Merciful Savior”

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