Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Thessalonians 1:7

"and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire," — 2 Thessalonians 1:7 (ASV)

(7a) The other side of God’s justice is full bestowal of rest on those who have been “troubled” (GK 2567), a reward awaiting Paul and his coworkers also. This will be the relief from tension and suffering that belongs to all who become Christ’s disciples. Their rest and bliss in the future state (cf. Acts 3:19–20; Revelation 14:13) are guaranteed by the justice of God. A sublime anticipation thus helps suffering Christians to maintain unwavering perseverance and faithfulness (cf. v.4).

Participants in God’s righteous judgment, therefore, fall into these two classes: For the first class, the future holds a severe threat. Though their domination is tolerated for the present, at the proper time, the roles will be reversed. The second class, though under the heel of the other for the moment, will become the overcomers who will enjoy all privileges in God’s kingdom.

(7b) “When the Lord Jesus is revealed” identifies the time of God’s righteous judgment (see comments on vv.6–7a). As already suggested, the objects of Christ’s revelation are twofold.

(1) He will appear to those who are in Christ. It will be an appearance that means rest (1:7a) when he comes “from heaven” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16) to meet the dead and living in Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17) and gather them to himself (2 Thessalonians 2:1). This begins their unending fellowship with him (1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:10) and participation in his glory (2 Thessalonians 1:10, 12). Paul hoped to be alive at this time (see comments on 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17).

(2) The other group on whom God’s righteous judgment and the revelation of the Lord Jesus will make their impact are their persecutors. The consequences for them will be prolonged and painful. Christ will begin by subjecting earth’s rebels to a period of intense “trouble”—a time of human misery without parallel in the annals of history (Daniel 12:1; Mark 13:19). It will grow into a dominant factor during the time of “the rebellion... and the man of lawlessness” (2:3). As the period runs its course, it will witness the abomination of desolation (2:4; cf. Daniel 9:27; 11:31, 36; 12:11; Matthew 24:15) and the Satanic deception of an unbelieving world (2:9–10). This is the initial phase of God’s vengeance against a world that persists in rebellion (cf. Lk 21:22; Revelation 6:10; Revelation 19:2).

As the period draws to its close, the Lord Jesus will be revealed personally to culminate this vengeance with “everlasting destruction” and exclusion from the Lord’s presence and glory (v.9). That time is a day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:9), just before the revelation of Christ’s glory in the world.

Afflicted Christians, on the other hand, are offered the brightest anticipation.

They look forward to the Lord Jesus’ revelation from heaven and to the prospect of immediate rest. They will not be present for the apostasy (2:3), the rule of the lawless one (2:3–4) or his “counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” (2:9), because their promised rest in heaven will have begun by then. With a hope like this there is ample reason to continue in faithfulness to the Lord.

The “blazing fire” of his coming recalls the glory of OT theophanies (Exodus 3:2; Exodus 19:18; Exodus 24:17; Psalms 18:12; Isaiah 30:27–30; Daniel 7:9–10). It will be a revelation of glory in which the saints will share (1:10, 12). The Lord Jesus will be accompanied by “his powerful angels,” who will draw on his power for their part in the revelation.

Many have chosen to limit this “revelation” (GK 637) of Christ to a single event at the close of the tribulation. The role of “his powerful angels” favors this understanding in the light of Mt 24:30–31; 25:31. It is more persuasive, however, to explain revelation as a complex of events, including various phases of end-time happenings. The present context associates the word with Christ’s coming for his own as well as his coming to deal with opponents. Since the primary thrust of vv.5–10 is to encourage suffering Christians, the meaning of this revelation for them should receive the emphasis. God’s dealings with the rest of the world are included only to enhance the “relief” experienced by believers at the righteous judgment of God.