Note 16 at 1 Th. 1:10: The Thessalonians had not only repented and turned from idolatry to serve the true and living God, but they also awaited the appearing of Jesus Christ from heaven. Paul introduces here the theme of Christ's return which he will discuss later in detail in the epistle of 2 Thessalonians. In this letter he will refer at least five times to the return of Jesus Christ, once in each chapter (1 Th. 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:16; 5:23). His return will reveal two things: (1) it will be the "blessed hope" and the final manifestation of the salvation of the believer (Ti. 2:13; Heb. 9:28); (2) it will reveal the final manifestation of God's personal opposition to evil, resulting in judgment for the unbeliever (2 Th. 1:7-10).

Note 17 at 1 Th. 1:10: The "wrath to come" that the believer has been delivered from is the wrath or judgment which men will face because of their sins. God determined that the just punishment for sin would be eternal separation from God. This separation is also referred to as "death" (Rom. 6:23). God devised a plan to place the death penalty for sin upon His Son (Jesus Christ) when He suffered and died upon the cross. Because of that death, God offers the forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who will repent and believe upon Christ (Acts 16:31; 20:21).

To those that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus, there will be a day of wrath and vengeance upon all them that know not God (2 Th. 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:17). Those who receive forgiveness through faith in what Jesus has already suffered will not come into judgment again. Their judgment has been placed on Jesus.