First, notice that each chapter has something to say about the Lord’s coming. And then note that each mention builds upon the previous one.
“… you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1:9-10)
It is truly remarkable that believers can “wait” for the Lord Jesus with the assurance of being delivered from God’s coming wrath. That is certainly a good thing. However, by itself, it is not all that exciting. One could argue we will simply cease to exist. That would be deliverance from the “wrath to come,” but not really something worth waiting for.
The next chapter assures us we will not cease to exist:
“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?” (2:19)
We will be in “the presence of our Lord” at His coming. Now that is certainly something to look forward to… Well, maybe.
When we behold the Lord Jesus in all His sinless glory, one might think that we may sink in fear, unable to move for as long as we are there with Him. We certainly do not deserve to be in His presence. What would it be like to be there while every terrible sin we have committed comes to mind? Maybe the joy of being in His presence will only last as long as it takes to realize just what we actually are by nature: undeserving, rebellious sinners.
Chapter 3 brings relief:
“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” (3:13)
Not only do we have His return to look forward to and the assurance of being in His presence, but in His presence our hearts will be established as “blameless in holiness.” We will no longer be rebellious sinners. In our glorified, redeemed bodies, we will be free from our sinful nature and from the guilt of our past sins. We will be morally perfect, conformed to Christ’s image (Rom. 8:29; 1 John 3:2). There will be no fear in His presence. Wonderful. But how long will this last?
Chapter 4 tells us:
“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (4:17)
We “shall always be with the Lord.” It will last forever. We wait for His return. When He comes, we will be in His presence. In His presence, our hearts will be established blameless in holiness, and it will last forever. This sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch? How can we possibly expect something so wonderful?
The final chapter reassures us with the magnificent news that there is no catch:
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (5:23-24)
Believers place all their confidence in the Lord Jesus. “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” None of this depends on us. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming. We will be in His presence, our hearts will be blameless, and we will be with Him forever. And He is faithful and able to accomplish all He has promised to do. Praise His holy Name!”