What does 2 Thessalonians 1:10 mean?
This verse teaches that God will execute judgment on unbelievers when Jesus comes back. This promise refers to Jesus' second coming, not to the rapture. He does not execute judgment at the rapture, but lifts Christians up from the earth to be with Him at that time. At His second coming to earth believers will glorify Him and also share in His glory. Colossians 1:27 says Christ in us is "the hope of glory." Suffering is for just a little while, but glory lies ahead. Believers will enter Jesus' earthly kingdom to reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12) and to be dazzled by His glory. In 2 Thessalonians 1:10 Paul includes the Thessalonian believers in the prospect of marveling at Jesus, he writes, "because our testimony to you was believed."This bright prospect of the day Jesus will be glorified in His saints and marveled at among all who have believed makes current suffering seem light. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."