Loved Tim Keller's take on the good news of judgement day in his sermon Marveling at Jesus. This is a topic my brother and I often wressle over, how people going to eternal destruction could be justice.
"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater. As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering. For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified among His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our testimony to you was believed. To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will consider you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:1–12
In the sermon Keller gives an illustration of a light bulb. Because the filament is encapsulated, air tight bulb, when electricity goes through it lights up but doesn't go out (Ex 3:2 not consumed by fire). This illustrates "Jesus glorified in you, you in Him." The sermon had another great point that everyone who honestly turns to the Lord is received. The only person who honestly turned to the Lord throughout all time and was rejected was Jesus on the cross, "my God why have you forsaken me." - this is hell. "These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,"
Keller centers on Paul’s vision of Christ returning “to be glorified… and marveled at” by believers, and Paul’s prayer that God would make us worthy of that calling.
Big idea: The Christian life is sustained by awe, seeing the beauty and glory of Jesus, especially amid pressure and pain. On the last day, every believer will marvel; the call is to begin marveling now.
Why it matters:
- Suffering reinterpreted: Present afflictions don’t mean God’s absence; they are the context in which faith grows and love increases.
- Justice assured: God will set things right relief for the oppressed; judgment for persistent evil so we endure without bitterness.
- Glory anticipated: The endgame is mutual glory Christ glorified in his people, and his people glorified in him. Awe fuels holiness.
How to live it (Paul’s prayer → our practice):
Pray toward worthiness: Ask God to “fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.” Make obedience beautiful, not begrudging.
Pursue awe, not just duty: Regularly contemplate Christ’s character and work so worship, not willpower, drives change. (Keller’s through-line across the sermon.)
"Marvel at Jesus now, and you’ll have strength to endure, love to give, and a life that points to his coming glory."
Another happy note this week, I learned my friend Prasad was baptized this month.
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