“Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13).
As we’ve already noted in our look at this epistle to the Thessalonians, there are references to Jesus’ second advent at the close of every chapter of this book. For instance, the opening chapter of this letter ended with an exhortation to “…wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
The following chapter concluded with these questions: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). So having now arrived at the conclusion of 1 Thessalonians chapter three, we finish with the next reference to the subject of Jesus’ future return.
In the final verse of 1 Thessalonians chapter three, Paul the Apostle refers to “…the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” Unlike the modern-day association of the word “saint” with a long-suffering individual or a person of exceptional religious merit, the Biblical use of this word identifies anyone who is set apart to God in Christ.
Many commentators believe it is possible that this reference to “holy ones” (NIV) involves angelic beings who will accompany Jesus in the course of this great event. However, one source explains why it is preferable to identify these individuals with the people of God who have preceded us in death (or perhaps a combination of the two)…
“‘Saints’ (lit. ‘holy ones’) are either (1) angels who will accompany Jesus (cf. Deut. 33:2-3; Zech. 14:5; Matt. 16:27; 25:31; Mark 8:38; 2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 19:4); or (2) His people, saints (cf. 1 Thess. 4:14-16). Paul never called angels ‘saints’ or ‘holy ones,’ possibly solving the interpretive issue. Probably both angels and saints will return with Him on the clouds of heaven.” (1)
Paul will return once again to the subject of Christ’s return in verse thirteen of the following chapter. That will allow us to examine this important topic in greater depth when we reach that portion of Scripture.
(1) Dr. Bob Utley. Free Bible Commentary, 1 Thessaloninan 3:13 Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL07/VOL07B_03.html