(Photo by Jason Leung 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 77, we are going to study the second part of 1 John 3:2.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 3:2 … We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him …
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
We know (1492. eidó) — means to know with certainty or confident understanding.
That (3754. hoti) when (1437. ean) Christ appears (5319. phaneroó) — means when Christ is revealed or made manifest in glory.
We will be (1510. eimi) — means to be or to exist.
Like (3664. homoios) Him (846. autos) — means believers will be like Christ, sharing in His likeness in nature and character, while remaining distinct from Him.
In other words, we know with certainty that when Christ is revealed, we will be like Him, sharing in His glorified humanity and character, not as His equals, but as those transformed by His glory, while remaining distinct from Him.
Now, let’s dig into this part of the verse.
John begins with “we know.” He wants believers to live with certainty. This hope is not based on wishful thinking or mere speculation, but on the promises of God. John wants believers to understand their future with confidence and assurance.
When he says “that when Christ appears,” he is speaking of the visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ in glory. John anchors the believer’s hope in a real, future event that will change everything.
Next, he says, “we will be like Him.” When Christ returns, believers will experience full conformity to Jesus in holiness and glory. This does not mean a loss of individuality or personality, nor does it imply equality with Christ, but that our character and nature will be perfected according to His image. We will share in His moral purity, complete freedom from sin, and a resurrected, glorified body.
Right now, believers are being transformed day by day through the ongoing work of sanctification. Yet when Christ appears, that transformation will be brought to completion. Glorification is the final stage of salvation, when believers fully share in Christ’s likeness and enjoy perfect, unhindered communion with God.
Salvation, then, is not merely deliverance from God’s judgment, but the full restoration of our nature and life into the glory of Christ.
Let this truth shape the way you live today. Let it inspire holiness and purity in your daily life. Live with confidence, hope, and joyful obedience, knowing that God’s ultimate goal is to make you like Jesus.
Let us examine several passages of Scripture that affirm the truth that when Jesus appears, we will be like Him.
In Romans 8:29, we read about God’s eternal plan for His people. His purpose is to bring believers into full conformity to the image of His Son, a goal that will be completely realized when Christ appears.
Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
In Philippians 3:20–21, we read that our weak, sin-affected bodies will be transformed to be like Christ’s glorious body. This transformation is entirely the work of God, and right now we eagerly await His appearing.
Philippians 3:20–21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.
In Colossians 3:4, we read that Christ is our life. When He appears, we will also appear with Him in glory. This means that believers will fully share in His glorified state. We can have confidence that this promise will be fulfilled because it is rooted in Christ Himself.
Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
In 1 Corinthians 15:49, we see that our current bodies and lives reflect the earthly, fallen state of humanity. Yet one day we will share in the likeness of the heavenly man, Christ in His glorified, resurrected state. We can live with confidence and hope, knowing that this future glorification is certain.
1 Corinthians 15:49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, we read that believers are being transformed into the image of Christ throughout their lives. This transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit, not our own effort. As we behold the glory of the Lord through Scripture, prayer, and worship, we are progressively shaped into His likeness. This process prepares us for our final glorification when Christ appears.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
In conclusion, you can be confident and certain that when Christ appears, you will be like Him, sharing in His likeness in both character and glory.
Here are some key takeaways from the verses we studied.
God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
By the power of God, we will be transformed to share in His glorious, resurrected body (Philippians 3:20–21).
When Christ is revealed, we will be revealed with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4).
One day we will bear the likeness of the heavenly man, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:49).
As we behold the Lord, we are being transformed into His image day by day, growing in glory that comes from Him (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Be encouraged, God is at work in your life, making you more like Jesus. One day, you will be fully transformed into His likeness. He will bring you into His glory. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and stand firm, knowing that the day will come when His glory will be fully revealed in you.
Here is a prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson.
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are at work in my life, shaping me to be more like You. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You and to stand firm in faith, trusting that one day I will be fully transformed into Your likeness and share in Your glory. Strengthen me each day as I walk with You, and fill me with hope and joy as I anticipate the day when Your glory is fully revealed in me. Amen.
Let’s read this part of the verse, one more time.
1 John 3:2 … We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him …
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
