T. B. Baines · Chapter 3. The coming of the Lord with His saints.

Another use to which this second act in the Lord's coming is applied, is to encourage the believer in the midst of suffering and persecution, by the contrast of the glory in which he will then be manifested. Thus in writing to the Romans, Paul tells them that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18), and in another epistle he says — "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Tim. 2:12). Peter also encourages those to whom he writes by showing them how "the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ;" and urges them to "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7, 13).