III. That the day of judgment will be a revelation of the glory and blessedness of the faithful.—1. The glory of Christ is bound up and reflected in His Church. “When He shall come to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all them that believe in that day” (ver. 10). The Church is the creation of Christ; for her He lived, suffered, died, and triumphed, and into her He poured the glory of His matchless character. “The glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them” (John xvii. 22). His Church, like a mirror, shall reflect to the gaze of an admiring universe the unutterable glory of the great Redeemer. “The beauty of the Lord our God shall be upon her, and His glory shall be seen upon her” (Ps. xc. 17). How great a change is this from the sins, the struggles, the failures, the disappointments, and sufferings of earth!
2. A life of faith leads to a life of glory.—“Because our testimony among you was believed” (ver. 10). Faith rests on testimony and is vitally affected by the character of the testimony. Saving faith relies on the infallible testimony of the Word of God concerning Christ. The faith exercised in the midst of discouragements and persecution is often tenacious and vigorous. The Gospel is backed by evidence sufficient to convince every sane and reasonable mind. All may believe it who will; none will be excluded from glory but those who will not believe. In ancient Athens were two temples—a temple of Virtue and a temple of Honour—and none could enter the temple of Honour but by passing through the temple of Virtue. So, none can enter the temple of Glory who does not first pass through the temple of Faith.
Lessons.—1. The day of judgment, though future, is inevitable. 2. The proceedings of that day will be in harmony with the holiest principles of Divine justice. 3. That day should be solemnly contemplated in its approach, in its attendant circumstances, and in its final decisions.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES.
Vers. 7, 8. The Divine Judge—
- Has appointed a day of retribution.
- Will be revealed on that day in terrible majesty.
- Will take vengeance on the disobedient.
Vers. 9. 10. Divine Retribution—
- Will be in strict harmony with the principles of universal righteousness.
- Means terrible punishment to the wicked.
- Will bring unspeakable felicity to the good.
- Will be recognised as faultlessly just.
- Will enhance the Divine glory.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Verses 11, 12.
A Prayer for Completeness of Moral Character.