“But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see him as He is.” 1 John 3:2 NIV
John seems to mean two things in this verse. Firstly, since he immediately adds that when Jesus appears, we will be like Him, he means that presently we are not like Him. Our future state of glorified perfection, where we will be free from all the impurity of sin, is not a present reality. Right now, we live in the flesh. We are not and never will be perfectly sanctified in this life. Thus, we need to grow in purity. Also, John may be acknowledging that the fullness of our future state of glorification has not been completely revealed. Even though we cannot fathom everything about what heaven will be like, we can trust God that it will be far better than anything we can imagine. Our future hope of being totally conformed to the image of Jesus Christ should motivate us to holiness now. John is saying that the instant we see Jesus, we will become like Him. The moment He comes, we will be totally sanctified in body, soul and spirit. Of course, this only applies to those who are His children in this life. John had seen the earthly Jesus with his own eyes. As believers, we have seen Him with eyes of faith. Unbelievers who live in sin have not seen Him or known Him. But, when He comes again in power and glory, “every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7). At that glorious moment, all who believe in Jesus Christ in this life will be transformed completely into His image and will be with Him for all eternity! Even though we may not know in detail what awaits us in heaven, we can rest in this hopeful promise: we will see Him and be like Him and be with Him forever!
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, thank You that we can rest in the promise that we will be like You.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord Jesus, even though we may not know in detail what awaits us in heaven, we can rest in the hopeful promise that we will see You and be like You and we will be with You forever! AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
1 Chronicles 15:11-29
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