Future Blessedness
T. Manton, D. D. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear… I. THE NATURE OF THIS BLESSED AND GLORIOUS ESTATE — "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." A transforming vision, or such a vision as changeth us into the likeness of God, is the true blessedness of the saints. There are three things considerable in our happiness (1) The vision of God; (2) A participation of His likeness; (3) The satisfaction or delectation thence resulting.Two of them are in the text: "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." The third is fetched from a parallel place (Psalm 17:15). First, for vision that beginneth the happiness, and maketh way for all the rest — "we shall see Him as He is." This sight is either ocular or mental. 1. Ocular; for our senses have their happiness as well as our souls, and there is a glorified eye as well as a glorified mind (Job 19:26, 27). But you will say, How is this so great a privilege to the godly, since the wicked shall see Him? (Matthew 26:64). (1) That sight they have of Christ shall be but a short glimpse of His glory; for after their doom and sentence is passed, they shall be immediately banished out of His presence (Matthew 25:41). (2) They shall see Him with shame and terror, looking upon Him as to receive their just punishment (1 John 2:28). (3) The consideration of the object is different; the one look upon Him as their inexorable judge, the other as their merciful saviour; their interest in Him maketh Him dear to their souls. 2. Mental vision or contemplation. The angels, which have not bodies, are said to behold the face of our heavenly Father (Matthew 18:10); and when we are said to see God, it is not meant of the bodily eye, for a spirit cannot be seen with bodily eyes; so He is still the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). And seeing face to face is opposed to knowing in part. And therefore it implieth a more complete knowledge than now we have. The mind is the noblest faculty, and must have its satisfaction. Now three things are necessary — (1) A prepared faculty; (2) A suitable object; and (3) The conjunction of both these.Now in the state of glory all these concur. The faculty is more capacious, the object is more fully represented, and the conjunction and fruition is more intimate and close than it can be elsewhere. Secondly, assimilation or transformation into the image of God and Christ. 1. What this likeness is. This was man's first ruin, this aspiring to be like God (Genesis 3:5); not in a blessed conformity, but in a cursed self-sufficiency. This was the design of the first transgression (Isaiah 14:14). The men of the world aspire to be like God in greatness and power, but not in goodness and holiness. We affect or usurp Divine honour, and to sit upon even ground with God. Christ came not to gratify our sin, but to make us like unto God, not equal with God. (1) In holiness and purity; for that is the chief thing wherein God will be resembled by His creatures. We are made holy as He is holy. (2) We are like Him in happiness and glory, that is, in a glorious condition (1 Corinthians 15:49). (1) A relative and adherent glory, as the saints are admitted into a participation of His judicial power (1 Corinthians 6:2). (2) Internal and inherent, viz., the glory revealed in us, put into us, Now it is revealed to us, then in us. Our ear hath received a little hereof, but then it shall be fully accomplished in our persons, in our bodies and souls. 2. How it is the fruit of vision? for so it is given as a reason, "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." I answer — there is between light and likeness a circular generation, as there is in most moral things; and on the one side it may be said we shall be like Him, therefore we shall see Him as He is, and also on the other side, as in the text, "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." Thirdly, the third thing is satisfaction, not mentioned in the text, but implied from a parallel place; for we having the sight and presence of God, must needs be ravished with it (Psalm 16:11). Our great business will be to love what we see, and our great happiness to have what we love. This will be a full, perpetual, and never failing delight to us. II. THE SEASON WHEN WE SHALL ENJOY THIS — "when He shall appear." 1. I take it for granted that the soul before is not only in the hand of God, which all assert, but admitted into the sight and presence of the Lord, and to see His blessed face. 2. Then we have our solemn absolution from all sins (Acts 3:19). And our pardon is pronounced by the judge sitting upon the throne. 3. Then shall we have glorified bodies restored unto us, wherein Christ shall be admired (2 Thessalonians 1:10). 4. Then Christ will present us to God by head and poll, and give an account of all that God hath given him, that they may be introduced into their everlasting estate, not one wanting (John 6:40). III. THE APPREHENSION THAT WE SHOULD HAVE OF IT FOR THE PRESENT — "we know." 1. It is not a bare conjecture, but a certain knowledge; it is not only we think, we hope well, but we know. 2. It is not a probable opinion, but an evident and infallible truth, as sure as if we saw it with our eyes. An unseen world is an unknown world; how can we be so sure of it? It is set before us by His precious promises who cannot lie. 3. It is not a general belief, but a particular confidence. He speaketh upon the supposition that we are God's children. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.