WE SHALL SEE HIM

WE SHALL SEE HIM!

1 Cor 13:12

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

1 John 3:2

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

           The word “glass” is actually the word for “mirror” but it seems clear to me that the writer indicated something that we look through instead of something we look upon. If it is a glass we look through it is certainly not our very own optical prescription. It is blurred and distorted. If it is a mirror, it is old and discolored and twisted. The word “darkly” is the Greek word ainigma which literally means “obscure.” We don’t see things clearly here but we will one day.

           Old photographs capture our mothers and fathers in their youth. We see Dad as quite handsome and not the old man we last remembered him to be. We see Mom as pretty and maybe even beautiful and not the bent old woman we last remembered her to be. It can be at once both discouraging and encouraging.

           John says that we can’t imagine “what we shall be” but we know that when we shall see Him we shall be like Him. Health which life and age has diminished will be renewed. We shall run and bounce like children. We will see the loveliness of the soul.

           We see people, both friends and enemies, in snapshots. Some event may reverse the order and friends become enemies and enemies become friends. Only love and forgiveness keeps them in their proper places!

           Knowing that we shall see Him motivates us to purity.

1 John 3:3

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.