2 Thessalonians 1:9-12

9: These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 
10: when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. 
11: To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 
12: so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

*** 

“These” ones Paul referred to are the ones he just mentioned in verse eight who don’t know God and those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. There are those who choose not to know God (like Pharaoh in Exodus 5:2). They may know of Him but choose not to know Him, pursue Him or His ways. Then there are those who do not obey the gospel—this may primarily be referring to the unbelieving Jews but includes anyone who is not following the gospel of Jesus (Romans 2:8).

These ones will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power. Being cast out of His presence leaves nothing but evil left to a person. This is eternal death. Yet when Jesus comes, He will be glorified in His saints—shining brightly and admired among the believers.

Jesus said to the Father before He went to the cross that He had been glorified in His disciples (John 17:10). When He comes back, He will be glorified in His saints. All believers will marvel at Him. We will not marvel at our own glorious condition, but at Him in us, to whom all the glory rightfully belongs. What an amazing thing for God the Father and the Lord Jesus to be in us, and us in them (John 14:23, 17:21).

Paul said this is what they prayed for the Thessalonians—that God would count them worthy of their calling, fulfill their every desire for goodness, and the work of faith with power. All of this so that Jesus’ Name would be glorified in them, and they in Him. There is no indication of any glory to be expected in the saints apart from the Lord. Any glory on our part is over what the Lord does in and through us, and over His presence in us. We might all pray for God to count us (and our loved ones) worthy of our calling and give us the grace to carry it out, so His Name is glorified in us and we in Him.

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