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. 1 John 3:2.
Jesus, the world's Redeemer, knows all His children by name, and on those who believe shall come the glory of God.... Those who behold Jesus become changed to His image, become assimilated to His nature, and the glory of God that shines in the face of Jesus, is reflected in the lives of His followers. More and more the Christian is changed from glory to glory.... The more he looks on Christ, the more he loves and longs to look again, and the more light and love and glory he sees in Christ, the more his light increases....
It is by faith that the spiritual eye beholds the glory of Jesus. This glory is hidden until the Lord imparts the light of spiritual truth, for the eye of reason cannot see it. The glory and mystery of Christ remains incomprehensible, clouded by its excessive brightness, until the Lord flashes its meaning before the soul.... By faith the soul catches divine light from Jesus. We see matchless charms in His purity and humility, His self-denial, His wonderful sacrifice to save fallen man. Contemplation of Christ leads man to place a proper estimate upon himself.... The possibility of being like Jesus, whom he loves and adores, inspires within him that faith which works by love and purifies the heart....
Jesus is more precious to the soul that beholds Him by the eye of faith than is anything else beside, and the believing soul is more precious to Jesus than fine gold of Ophir. Christ looks upon His hands—the marks of the crucifixion are there—and He says, “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me” (Isaiah 49:16). The Christian is walled in by the rich full promises of an infinite God.
The Lord is coming with power and great glory. All who have made Christ their refuge will reflect His image, and they will be like Him, for they shall see Him as He is. They are to be presented to Him without “spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Ephesians 5:27).31The Review and Herald, October 7, 1890.
From That I May Know Him - Page 61
That I May Know Him