THE GLORY TO COME

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

1 Corinthians 13:12

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

 

We have all had thoughts and dreams about what heaven will be like. Some of us see ourselves flying around with huge angel wings. Others of us think of sleeping on soft cushy clouds. Still others imagine a huge celebration of worship being offered up by trillions of God’s children. We will never know for sure what our heavenly home will be like until we get there. The few verses that give us glimpses of the heavenly life are not elaborate in details, probably for a good reason. One such verse is 1 Corinthians 13:12. It gives us a hint of what heaven will be like by contrasting our abilities on earth with those we will possess in heaven.

 

 

This scripture tells us that the life we live now and the reality we perceive is like looking in a mirror and seeing a poor reflection. Many years ago I traveled to the ghost town of Bodie. The mining town of Bodie is a most amazing place to visit and explore. It is one of the few ghost towns left which has numerous buildings still standing. Most of them still have furniture, fixtures and personal possessions remaining inside. I remember looking in one particular house and seeing my reflection in a weatherworn dusty mirror. I could make out my facial features somewhat, but it required imagination to fully appreciate my facial features and recognize myself. Corinthians is telling us that our perceptions of reality and our knowledge of spiritual matters are like looking in that dusty mirror in the ghost town of Bodie. Despite how much we might claim to know of Jesus, it will pale when compared to seeing Him face to face.

 

I remember when my wife Glynes and I were dating there were times when we were separated due to us living in towns many hours away from each other. Often I would read her emails or gaze at one of her pictures I had taken and think of her. While I enjoyed the thoughts of the love of my life, these were meager experiences compared to actually seeing her again face to face. I think this comes close to what Corinthians is attempting to describe when it contrasts our present relationship with our Lord with the one we will have when we go to be home with Him. No longer will we have the images found in Christian bookstores of our Savior. No longer will we picture our Master according to our limited imaginations. We will see Him face to face, standing before us, beckoning us to come to Him. I believe we will be overwhelmed with emotion when we see our holy loving Lord standing there before us.

 

 

Corinthians goes on to share that while we know some things now, when we go to heaven we will know everything there is to know. This implies that no matter how smart you think you are now, no matter how much scripture or theology you know, you don’t have the complete story. When we get to heaven we will know the answers to all those impossible questions we had on earth. We will no longer be plagued by doubts caused by problems we couldn’t solve with our meager minds and understanding. In some way, God will illuminate our understanding and perceptions so that in the same manner we are known by Him we shall know. Do you know what this means?

 

Another scripture may throw some light on it. Luke 12:6‑7 states, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” God knows the most intimate details of our life and being. Corinthians implies that in the same manner that we are known in such detail, we shall also know. How amazing this will be to know as we are known. The glorified body we shall receive when we go to heaven will be truly amazing. I am sure we can’t begin to imagine what awaits us in the heavenly state.

 

Heaven is something worth waiting for. Our Lord is someone worth serving now. He willingly gave His life for us, we who never deserved such a horrible death. For some reason, He loved us so deeply He offered Himself as a sacrifice so that we might partake of the experience of heaven. When you think of what He has done for us; saving us from eternal damnation, giving us the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us, restoring our relationship with God, and preparing a glorious place for us to reside with Him forever, it is overwhelming. Such love has no match. Such love deserves our commitment to serve our Master and build His Kingdom. May God grant you the courage to fight the good fight and to love all you come in contact with until you see Him face to face.

 

1 Corinthians 15:51‑54

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed‑ in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’”

 

For those of you who have never given your life to Christ and see Him as your Lord and Savior who died to save you from your sins, I would strongly encourage you to make that commitment. If you don’t, you won’t experience Heaven and you won’t experience the glorious life of sin forgiven, of love inexpressibly poured into your life and the wonderful knowledge of being known as a child of the Most High God. God the Father desires you to accept His Son as your Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit is waiting to inhabit your life to bring purpose, meaning and power to glorify Christ.