By-and-by

The present condition of the believer, notwithstanding its imperfection, is a state of much joy and honor. Looked at in the light of faith it is sublime, for “now are we the sons of God.”

We are near to God’s heart as his children.

We nestle under the wings of God for protection.

We abide in his pavilion for communion.

We are fed in his pasture for provision.

For all this, our earthly existence is not a life which we would desire to be perpetual. It is as a traveler’s pilgrimage, a sailor’s voyage, a soldier’s warfare; and we look forward to its end with joyful expectation.

We will let the text divide itself verbally.

I. “IT DOES NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE.”

At present we are veiled, and travel through the world incognito.

1. Our Master was not made manifest here below.

   • His glory was veiled in flesh.
   • His Deity was concealed in infirmity.
   • His power was hidden under sorrow and weakness.
   • His riches were buried under poverty and shame.
   • The world knew him not, for he was made flesh.

2. We are not fit to appear in full figure as yet.

   • The son is treated as a servant while under age.
   • The heir is kept a pensioner until his majority.
   • The prince serves as a soldier before he reaches the throne.
   • We must needs have an evening before our morning, a schooling before our college, a tuning before the music is ready.

3. This is not the world to appear in.

   • There are none to appreciate us, and it would be as though kings showed their royalty at a wake, or wise men discoursed philosophy before fools.
   • A warring and waiting condition like the present would not be a fit opportunity for unveiling.

4. This is not the time in which to appear in our glory.

   • The winter prepares flowers, but does not call them forth.
   • The ebb-tide reveals the secrets of the sea, but many of our rivers no gallant ship can then sail.
   • To everything there is a season, and this is not the time of glory.
   • II. “BUT WE KNOW THAT WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR.”

5. We speak of our Lord’s manifestation without doubt. “We know.”

6. Our faith is so assured that it becomes knowledge.

   • He will be manifest upon this earth in person.
   • He will be manifest in perfect happiness.
   • He will be manifest in highest glory.
   • He will appear surely, and so we speak of it as a date for our own manifesting—“when he shall appear.”
   • Oh the hope, the glory, the bliss, the fullness of delight which cluster around this great appearing!
   • III. “WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM.”
   • We shall then be as manifested, and as clearly seen, as he will be.
   • The time of our open presentation at court will have come.

7. Having a body like his body.

   • Sinless, incorruptible, painless, spiritual, clothed with beauty and power, and yet most real and true.

8. Having a soul like his soul.

   • Perfect, holy, instructed, developed, strengthened, active, delivered from temptation, conflict, and suffering.

9. Having such dignities and glories as he wears.

   • Kings, priests, conquerors, judges, sons of God.
   • We must be made in a measure like him now, or else we shall not be found so at his appearing.
   • IV. “WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS.”

10. This glorious sight will perfect our likeness.

11. This will be the result of our being like him.

12. This will be evidence of our being like him, since none but the pure in heart can see God.

    • The sight will be ravishing.
    • The sight will be transforming and transfiguring.
    • The sight will be abiding, and a source of bliss forever.
    • Behold what glories come out of our being the sons of God!

Let us not rest until by faith in Jesus we receive power to become sons of God, and then let us go on to enjoy the privileges of sonship.

Lights

God showed power in making us creatures, but love in making us sons. Plato gave God thanks that he had made him a man, and not a beast; but what cause have they to adore God’s love, who has made them children! The apostle puts an ecce to it, Behold!—Thomas Watson.

And here, reader, wonder not if I be at a loss; and if my apprehensions receive but little of that which is in my expressions. If to the beloved disciple that dared speak and inquire into Christ’s secrets, and was filled with his revelations, and saw the New Jerusalem in her glory, and had seen Christ, Moses, and Elijah in part of theirs; if it did not appear to him what we shall be, but only in general, that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, no wonder if I know little.—Richard Baxter, in “The Saint’s Everlasting Rest.”

Such divine, God-given glimpses into the future reveal to us more than all our thinking. What intense truth, what divine meaning there is in God’s creative word: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”! To show forth the likeness of the Invisible, to be partaker of the divine nature, to share with God his rule of the universe, is man’s destiny. His place is indeed one of unspeakable glory. Standing between two eternities, the eternal purpose in which we were predestined to be conformed to the image of the first-born Son, and the eternal realization of that purpose when we shall be like him in his glory. We hear the voice from every side: O you image-bearers of God! on the way to share the glory of God and of Christ, live a Godlike, live a Christlike life!—Andrew Murray.

A converted blind man once said, “Jesus Christ will be the first person I shall ever see, for my eyes will be opened in Heaven.”

Then shall we see You as You are, Forever fixed in no unfruitful gaze, But such as lifts the new-created heart,

Age after age, in worthier love and praise.

—John Keble.

“You are going to be with Jesus, and to see him as he is,” said a friend to Rowland Hill on his deathbed. “Yes,” replied Mr. Hill with emphasis, “and I shall be like him; that is the crowning point.”

To see him as he is, and in himself, is reserved until we shall have better eyes: these eyes we have are carnal and corruptible, and cannot see God until they have put on incorruption.—Sir Richard Baker.

One view of Jesus as he is

Will strike all sin forever dead.

—W. Cowper.