Our key verse above deals with the judgement seat of Christ after we have been caught up at the rapture and taken to heaven. Looking at the details of this verse, we can learn something new and interesting concerning the event that most people overlook.
Christ's fiery judgement is to stablish us, making our hearts unblameable in holiness before God, our Father. Then, after this judgement, we are ushered into God's presence where it is likely that we will receive our reward; a measure of the glory of Christ.
How do I interpret this? Well, in 1Th.4:16-18, Jesus comes FOR his saints to meet them in the clouds and catch them up to heaven. But, in our verse above it says that Jesus comes WITH his saints.
Friends, this is not the rapture. How can it be if we are already WITH him. No. This detail describes a presentation to God (probably in the throne room) after we are made unblameable in holiness. It is at this presentation where we are rewarded with our measure of Christ's glory according to 1Co.15:38-44.
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I am thumb down, end of the verse in some translations like Complete Jewish Bible refers to the saints as the angels and not people. This can change the result of the context. When there is written that we must wait for his comming with his saints(angels), not believers: 1Th 3:13: "so that he may give you the inner strength to be blameless, by reason of your holiness, when you stand before God our Father at the coming of our Lord Yeshua with all his angels." i could not share it because i was not sure it is correct. But thank you for space you give to talk About it and not condame it.
ReplyDeleteRich
ReplyDeleteHi Rich,
I am so happy to make your acquaintance. Thank you for explaining your view.
I completely understand your view on the word 'saints'. I can even point you to Job.15:15 where angels are clearly referred to as 'saints' in the context of that verse.
So, I have no dispute with you in your interpretation that 'saints' can be angels.
The reason why I interpret the word 'saints' to be us in 1Th.3:13 is firstly that I am convicted that the Lord's appearing in the air for His church is silent. Just like He appeared to Paul on the Damascus Road, so that his companions never saw Jesus in glory, so will His coming be for His church. It is His second coming when Jesus comes in all visible glory and power and with his mighty angels to take vengeance on the world.
Secondly, in the context of our verse in question, there is no purpose for angels to be present. In His second coming, they are His army to defeat the antichrist, but here, we are the saints who have been judged and are now coming with Jesus into the presence of God the Father for the purpose of receiving reward.
Rich, I value your view and respect your conviction, but over time I have become convinced of the context I see. All in all, the day will reveal the truth, and to be honest, whatever the truth shows, whether we are the saints, or the angels are the saints, I am overwhelmed and honoured to be there and participate in the glorification of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Great Saviour.
God bless, my friend, and thank you for your active participation on the platform.