Amazedნიმუში

The Dual Role of Christ

“... This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels”(2nd Thessalonians 1:7, NIV).

When Jesus returns at the end of the age, it will be in a dual role. He will come as a Savior for all who have trusted in him, and take them to be with him forever (John 14:1-3). He will also come as a judge to punish all those who rejected His great salvation. Paul expresses this dual role in a letter to the Church in Thessalonica:

He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10).

That passage is cause for reflection. To examine whether we’d meet the Lord as our Savior or as our Judge. Whether we’ll “marvel” at him or face the consequences of our unbelief. Whether our eternity lies with Christ in his kingdom, or in the eternal torment of hell.

The word “marveled” is a version of the Greek word Thaumazo and is also used in John 5:20. Therefore, the return of Jesus will cause believers to experience incomparable “awe” as it too is one of the “greater works” Jesus spoke about. And, since Jesus will return in full glory, it’s undoubtedly the ultimate “work” that will bring amazement.

For believers, the return of Jesus will be a time of great wonder and worship as we see him as he is (1 John 3:2). For those without a saving faith in Christ, it will result in terrible consequences. The good news, however, is that the Lord desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).

Reflection: If you knew Jesus would return today, what three thoughts or emotions would you have?

John 14:1-6
2nd Thessalonians 1
Revelations 14:7-8