This is Admirable

2 Thessalonians 1:10 KJV

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Concerning the phrase, "admired in all them that believe" Albert Barnes writes, “The general idea is, that Christ in that day will be manifested in a glorious manner, and that the source of his highest triumphs will be what is seen in the saints. His main honor when he returns to the world will not be the outward splendors which will attend his coming, nor the angels that will accompany him, nor the manifestation of his power over the elements, but the church which he has redeemed.”

We tend to view the glorious appearing of Christ for 

• The huge army on white horses
• The regal apparel upon Jesus Christ
• The physical features of the Saviour

Paul here asserts that the thing that will be most striking at the appearing of the Saviour will be what He has done with the believers.

I can see this. It is not difficult to scan through history with an eye of shame for Christianity's part in it: 

• The inquisition
• The crusades
• The persecutions of every sort
• The sordid accounts of the Popes
• The brutal killings in the name of one denomination over another
• The abuses of Scripture to justify slavery

These and other crimes of faith have marred the name of Christ.

But let's not leave it there. It is easy to condemn those of the past. Let's come right home and admit that we look at modern Christianity and wonder how it could possibly be related to the holy Son of God. We can look within ourselves and see so little that looks like Christ.

But when Christ returns all of this will be reconciled. 

• False doctrine will be done away
• False teachers will be put in their place
• The persecutors will be judged
• Our own sins will be forgiven and cleansed

In awe we will look at what Christ has done with them that believe and admire how perfectly Christ has worked.