(Photo by Damir Korotaj on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible)
Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 76, we are going to study the first part of 1 John 3:2.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed...
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
Beloved (27. agapétos) — means dearly loved ones or those loved with God’s divine love.
We are (1510. eimi) — means to be or to exist. It indicates a present and ongoing reality.
Now (3568. nun) — means at this present time.
Children (5043. teknon) — means those dependent on and belonging to God the Father.
Of God (2316. theos) — means of the supreme Creator and sovereign sustainer of all things.
And what (2532. kai) (5101. tis) — means and, also, or even.
We will be (1510. eimi) — means our future state or existence.
Has not yet (3768. oupó) — means not at this time.
Been revealed (5319. phaneroó) — means to be made visible or made clear.
In other words, we who are deeply loved by God, are at this present time, His children. What we will become in the future has not yet been made visible or made clear.
Now, let’s dig into this part of the verse.
John begins by addressing his readers as “beloved,” reminding them that they are deeply loved by God.
This is important, because true spiritual growth flows from knowing we are loved, not from striving to earn God’s love.
Next, John explains our present reality: “we are now children of God.” This is not a future hope but a present certainty. Through faith in Christ Jesus, believers are born again and immediately become children of God (John 1:12; John 3:3).
At the moment of faith, your identity is secure. If you have trusted in Christ, you are a child of God right now.
This status does not depend on circumstances or performance, it is firmly rooted in God’s grace.
As you live as a child of God, you will experience ongoing transformation. God continually shapes His children to reflect His character.
When John says, “what we will be,” he points to a greater reality that is still to come. Our present condition is not the final stage of our salvation.
What we will be will surpass anything we have known in this life.
John then adds, “it has not yet been revealed.” Our future state remains a mystery. God has not yet disclosed all the details of what we will become.
Our future glory is presently hidden and veiled, not because it is uncertain, but because it is beyond our current capacity to fully comprehend.
Scripture assures us it will be glorious, even though the specifics remain unrevealed.
Therefore, live with anticipation. What you will be will be radically different from who you are today.
Live with hope, knowing that the glorified you is still ahead and that God will faithfully complete the work He has begun.
Let’s examine some verses that will reveal how the full picture of what we will become has not yet been unveiled.
In Deuteronomy 29:29, we learn that God reveals what we need to know in the present while reserving other things for Himself. As we move through life, we are called to trust God’s wisdom and purposes, even when our understanding of the future is limited. God does not reveal everything at once, but He faithfully reveals what is necessary for obedience and faithfulness.
Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.
In Romans 8:18-23, we learn that the glory God has planned for us has not yet been fully revealed. On that day, the true identity of His children will be made complete. Believers will be freed from decay and sin. Suffering and death will no longer hold any power. Even our bodies will be fully redeemed and transformed. For now, we groan inwardly, eagerly awaiting the day of this future redemption.
Romans 8:18-23 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
In 1 Corinthians 2:9, we learn that what God has prepared for His children far surpasses anything we can see, hear, or imagine. It is beyond human perception, yet we can trust that something incredible awaits those who love Him. This truth encourages us to place our hope fully in God, knowing that His plans are perfect and far greater than we can comprehend.
1 Corinthians 2:9 Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.
In 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, we learn about the amazing promise of transformation. All who belong to Christ will be changed instantly, in the blink of an eye, when He returns. Our perishable bodies will be clothed with immortality, and death will be defeated forever, giving us victory through Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in an instant, 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. 53 For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
In 2 Corinthians 4:17, we learn that the challenges and afflictions we face now are temporary and light compared to the eternal glory that awaits us. Our future state will be glorious, far surpassing anything we experience in this life. It is a hope we can eagerly anticipate and hold onto, even in the midst of difficulty.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
In conclusion, John reminds us that we are loved by God and, in this present time, have an identity as His children. However, what we will be in the future has not yet been revealed.
Here are some key takeaways from the verses that we studied.
God reveals what we need to live faithfully today, while keeping the full details of our future glory hidden (Deuteronomy 29:29).
Our present sufferings are temporary and light compared to the eternal glory ahead, where our true identity will be fully revealed, free from sin, decay, and death (Deuteronomy 29:29).
God’s blessings for those who love Him far surpass anything we can understand or imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Believers will be transformed instantly at Christ’s return. Our perishable bodies will be clothed with immortality, and death will be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
Our current trials are temporary and small compared to the eternal glory God is preparing for us (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Be encouraged, for the struggles you face today are temporary and cannot compare to the glorious future God has prepared for you. Even though you do not yet see the full picture, trust God. He will transform you, clothe you with immortality, and give you victory over sin, decay, and death.
Here is a prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making us Your children and for loving us deeply. Help us to trust You with our present struggles and the unknowns of our future, knowing that what we will be has not yet been revealed. Give us hope as we wait for the day You will transform us, clothe us with immortality, and give us victory over sin, decay, and death. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let’s read this part of the verse, one more time.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed...
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
