“…so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints“
so that
Paul’s aim is that the Lord might strengthen the Thessalonians in practical holiness. Abounding love produces stability in the Christian community.
He may establish your hearts
The word “establish” means to support. God wants to fix hearts and make them secure in His love. God is in the business of making our hearts firm and strong in the faith. Our hearts need stability from God.
“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22).
“So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16:5).
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:11-12).
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).
“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth” (2 Peter 1:12).
blameless in holiness
To be “blameless” is not sinlessness. “Blameless” means to be free from all valid charges. A blameless person deals with any wrong in his or her life. This person does not cover his sin. He or she keeps short accounts with the Lord. When it comes to holiness, it is God’s aim that we will be free from His censure.
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
before our God and Father
The word “before” means that Christians will give an account in the presence of God the Father at the Rapture. He will scrutinize our lives in unadulterated truth.
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
The word “coming” means arrival. At the arrival of Christ (the Rapture), God will evaluate us in His very presence. When we stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will stand there blameless because of the cross of Christ. Sin will not be an issue there. The issue is reward.
with all His saints
All Christians will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The word “His” indicates that God will claim us as His own at that judgment. A “saint” is someone set apart unto God as His own.
Principle:
Love becomes more stable as we exercise His love in us.
Application:
The more we grow in God’s love, our love grows stronger and more established. God does not call upon us to love in our own anemic love. God loves through us with His love, not human love.
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).
We do not have to manufacture love. All we have to do is hook up with God’s love. When we do this, we will live in blameless holiness.
This book is really helping us disciple from our church.
Thank you for doing this.
Penny
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
The word “coming” means arrival. At the arrival of Christ (the Rapture), God will evaluate us in His very presence. When we stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will stand there blameless because of the cross of Christ. Sin will not be an issue there. The issue is reward.
So what about the Millenium? Are you saying that the judgment will take place when Christ returns? In which case, there would be no millennium.
Mike, the Judgment Seat of Christ takes place before the Millennium. Christians will be raptured and then the Judgment Seat will take place. That is the First Coming. Christ will come again at the Second Coming bringing saints with Him. Note this chart: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/doctrine/rapture-and-second-coming/rapture-vs-the-second-coming/
This is from your comments above. >>
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
The word “coming” means arrival. At the arrival of Christ (the Rapture), God will evaluate us in His very presence. When we stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will stand there blameless because of the cross of Christ. Sin will not be an issue there. The issue is reward.
with all His saints
All Christians will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The word “His” indicates that God will claim us as His own at that judgment. A “saint” is someone set apart unto God as His own.
And this is from the chart that you gave me. >>
The Second Coming of Christ
Christ comes with His saints (1 Th 3:13; Jude 14)
So there are two different explanations for 1 Th 3:13. On this page it says that 1 Th 3:13 is the Rapture. But in the chart you gave me it says this verse is about the Second Coming.
So which one is it?
.
Mike, thanks for your post and your pointing out an inconsistency between the two studies. Admittedly, this passage lacks certain details that could give us a clear interpretation. As I see it there are two adequate interpretations: 1) the arrival of saints in heaven of those caught up in the Rapture, that is, the Lord recognized them as serving him in a blameless and holy way, and 2) of the Second Coming to the earth with the church. My conclusion since my commentary on 1 Thes was many years ago, my current view is more toward the second option, but I have not come to a final interpretation as yet. I will have to restudy 1 Th 4:13.