John Calvin 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)

When the Lord shall be manifested. Here we have a confirmation of the previous statement. For as it is one of the articles of our faith that Christ will come from heaven, and will not come in vain, faith ought to seek the purpose of his coming. Now this is — that he may come as a Redeemer to his own people; even more, that he may judge the whole world.

The description that follows has this purpose — that the godly may understand that God is so much the more concerned about their afflictions in proportion to the dreadfulness of the judgment that awaits his enemies. For the primary reason for grief and distress is this — that we think God is only lightly affected by our calamities.

We see the complaints into which David repeatedly breaks forth while he is consumed by the pride and insolence of his enemies. Therefore, he has brought all this forward for the comfort of believers, as he depicts Christ's tribunal as full of horror, so that they may not be disheartened by their present oppressed condition, while they see themselves proudly and disdainfully trampled upon by the wicked.

As for the nature of that fire, and of what materials it consists, I leave to the debates of persons of foolish curiosity. I am content with holding to what Paul intended to teach — that Christ will be a most strict avenger of the injuries which the wicked inflict upon us. The metaphor, however, of flame and fire, is abundantly common in Scripture when the anger of God is discussed.

By the angels of his power, he means those in whom he will exercise his power; for he will bring the angels with him for the purpose of displaying the glory of his kingdom. Therefore, they are also called elsewhere the angels of his majesty.