Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Today’s Scripture:
“And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.” (Revelation 22:4).
Today’s Observation:
I have been made aware that there are some believers in these last-days who somehow believe that God will play peek-a-boo with His people in heaven and the new earth–that He will shroud Himself in mystery and avoid our gaze throughout eternity. They either miss or ignore the beauty and majesty of Scripture on this subject.
There are several very serious outcomes with such a belief if taken to its extreme:
1. We will not enter into the Holiest of All, by faith
2. We will not believe that Jesus’ work is sufficient to deal with the sin problem and usher us into eternity
3. We will not believe that the Father actually loves us
Thus, I say prayerfully, if we love to seek God now, and continue in His love, we will one day see the Father and the Son with no darkening veil between. This is a promise directly from the Throne of God!
Let’s first have a look at what Paul says on the subject: “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 Corinthians 13:12). Notice that this familiar verse states that we will know even as we are known. According to the Greek definition of the term “know” in this verse, we are fully recognized, seen, perceived, taken knowledge of, and experienced. Therefore, we will also know in the same way! What shall we know? What is the focus of the entire chapter? Love. What do I see as through a glass darkly? Love! What, or who is Love? God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16).
One of the saddest realities is how little attention our heavenly Father gets in our discussions. Much is often said of the Son, and He is deserving of all our attention and worship. But they are One. They and the Holy Spirit are constantly at work for our eternal benefit. The Father loves us so much that He gave us heaven’s treasured Captain and Son, so we would one day see His face. Notice what the Bible says: “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.” (John 16:24–27). Further, the Bible says that God loved the world so much that He gave us His Son so we could be saved. That’s real love.
According to Hebrews 12:28-29, our God is worthy of reverence and awe. He is a consuming fire! So, let’s not get too excited and take Him lightly. Holy and Reverend is His name!
That being said; the devil has spent so much time trying to keep people, especially God’s people, in the outer court, at the gates of Eden with the flaming sword in our way, or in the first apartment all bloody, when God has opened a door that no man can shut, for us to enter the Holiest of all by faith for cleansing and unencumbered relationship with Him. We have discussed all of this in detail for two solid months now. Scripture after scripture states why our separation from God exists at all—sin. So if there is to be a uniting of people and God, it must come through the forgiveness and cleansing of sin we have painstakingly described. This is why it is such a blessing to read our theme text with full assurance and faith. The reward of God’s promise of eternal life is not simply to be immune to death forever (which is a great blessing in and of itself); not simply to inherit heaven and the new earth; but to be able to see the actual face of God, which no ordinary human being has ever seen; not even in vision.
Conclusion:
I would like to leave you with two passages: The first illustrates the welcoming nature of our Father. The second gives irrefutable evidence that we will see His face one day, if we remain faithful. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16). “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:1–3).
A Prayer for Your Hearts:
Lord, thank you for all you have been doing just so we can live in your eternal presence. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
