1 Thess. 1:10; Rom. 5:1-11, The Waiting Church

Today we are considering the phrase, and to wait for His Son from heaven.  This is a major issue in the Thessalonian letters.  Note the following.

It seems that it was especially the teaching with reference to Christ's return upon the clouds of heaven that had captivated the minds and hearts of the readers.  As they saw it -- and rightly so -- a man is not truly converted unless he glories in this doctrine and shows its force in his life. (Wm. Hendricksen)

The prominence given to the second coming is in sharp contrast to so much that calls itself Christianity in modern times. ... there being a reference to it on the average once every thirteen verses from Matthew right through to Revelation. Its neglect in many quarters is something which cannot be countenanced from Scripture. (Leon Morris)

Waiting involves patient and confident expectancy.  The primary word in this compound word means to remain, to abide, to be constant.  The prefix indicates this waiting takes place in the midst of our current life.  It is remaining in the place where God has put us.


For whom are we waiting?  We await the Son of God (Rom. 8:32), Gods only begotten (Jn. 3:16) beloved Son (Mt. 3:17).  And where is He?  He passed through the heavens (Heb. 4:14), ascended far above all heavens (Eph. 4:10), and is sitting at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens (Hb. 8:1).  We await His return!


Why is our waiting so full of hope?  It is because our waiting is tied to an indisputable past event; the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.  He is the one who tied His resurrection to our future bodily resurrection (1 Th. 4:13-14; 1 Cor. 15:20-23).  But His resurrection is also tied to our present spiritual resurrection (Rom. 6:4).  We have been raised with Christ to live a new life.  Our life now as well as our life eternal is assured because of the resurrection of Christ.

For what are we waiting?  We could say many things to answer this question but we are interested in 1 Thess. 1:10 which speaks of the wrath that will come.

·        The fact of future wrath: Luke 21:20-24; Rev. 6:16-17.  Even if we struggle to combine God’s love with His judgment we cannot deny either one.

·        The cause of wrath: John 3:36; Rom. 1:18; Rev. 14:10.  In a nutshell: unbelief!

·        The basis of deliverance from wrath: Rom. 5:9; Eph. 2:3-5.  Through the work of Christ God in grace offers deliverance.

·        The timing of deliverance from wrath; 1 Th. 1:10; 4:16; 5;9.  This deliverance has a strong connection with the rapture, the future removal of believers from this earth. Believers are not destined for wrath but for salvation.  The removal of the Church during the future tribulation fulfills this promise.  Like Noah, Lot and the Israelites in Egypt the Church will be delivered from the wrath to come.

Remember: this is a message to those who have turned to God from idols that they might serve the living and true God.