Wait for Jesus From Heaven – 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Jul 24, 2026 11
We all deserve God’s wrath. But Jesus took it. And for those who trust him, we can wait for his return without fear.
“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” — 1 Thessalonians 1:10 (ESV)
Why Do We Deserve Wrath?
Here’s a confronting truth: because of our sin and idolatry, we deserve God’s wrath.
Not some people. Every single one of us.
God is holy.
He’s just.
He can’t ignore sin.
The penalty for sin is death.
The judgment is real.
And we all deserve it.
This isn’t meant to make you despair. It’s meant to set up the gospel.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Jesus Takes the Wrath
Jesus is the only one of whom it can be said: he was without sin. The only one who never worshipped an idol. The only one who lived perfectly.
And he went to the cross.
In the Old Testament, the prophets speak of a cup of wrath. It’s a picture of the penalty that the wicked—all who are sinful—deserve to drink for their sin and idolatry.
In the garden, Jesus prayed: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36)
Jesus knew what was coming. He knew he was about to drink the cup of God’s wrath. The judgment meant for us.
And he did it anyway. He went to the cross. He died the death we deserve. The wrath and judgment meant for us fell on him instead.
But the story doesn’t end there.
He Rose From the Dead
Three days later, he rose from the dead.
He defeated sin. He defeated Satan. He defeated death itself.
And in doing so, he proved that the wrath has been exhausted. Justice has been satisfied. The penalty has been paid.
We Can Wait Confidently
This is why we can wait for Jesus without fear.
Because for those who are in Christ—those who have turned from idols and are serving the living and true God—God’s judgment will not fall on us. It already fell on Jesus at the cross.
I think of it like a prairie fire. American pioneers crossing the plains faced terrible danger when lightning would ignite the dry grass. A firefront would move faster than people and wagons could travel.
But when they spotted the fire approaching, they’d stand with their backs to the wind and light a series of fires in front of them. In minutes, they’d burn off enough area to stand safely. Then they’d wait confidently for the oncoming fire. It wouldn’t burn in the same place twice.
That’s what the cross is. God’s wrath has already burnt there. For those who belong to Jesus, that judgment won’t fall on us again.
What Does Waiting Mean?
So we wait for Jesus. But what does that actually mean?
Waiting doesn’t mean sitting idle. Waiting for Jesus is about living now in light of his return. It means recognising that Jesus is number one in your life. That your priorities are shaped by his coming.
It means turning from idols to serve the living and true God and to live with faithfulness, generosity, and servanthood.
It means longing for his return and eagerly anticipating the day when we’ll see him face to face, when all things will be made new, when every tear will be wiped away.
The Good News Is…
Jesus has delivered us from the wrath of God. The judgment we deserve has already fallen on him. And he rose from the dead, proving that his sacrifice is complete.
He lived the life we failed to live. He died the death we deserve. And he rose again, offering us eternal life and the certainty that one day we’ll see him and be with him forever.
So we can wait. Not with fear. But with confident hope. Because we know he’s coming back. And we know we’re safe in him.
Further reading: 1 Thessalonians 1
Reflection
What would it look like for you to wait for Jesus more actively? How could you live differently this week knowing that he’s coming back and that you’re safe in him?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited