(Photo by Luke Richardson 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 78, we are going to study the third and final part of 1 John 3:2.
Let’s read this part of the verse.
1 John 3:2 … for we will see Him as He is.
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
For (3754. hoti) — means that, because, or since. This introduces the reason for the future transformation spoken of in the previous part of the verse, which says that “we will be like Him.”
We will see (3708. horaó) — means to perceive, behold, and recognize. This is more than physical sight. It refers to an unhindered, direct perception of Christ.
Him (846. autos) — means the very person of Christ Himself, not merely a representation or reflection.
As (2531. kathos) — means in a manner that corresponds to His true reality, without distortion.
He is (1510. eimi) — means Christ as He truly and eternally exists, not as He was veiled in humility.
In other words, when Christ appears, we will be conformed to His likeness because we will behold Him face to face as He truly and eternally exists, no longer veiled in humility.
Now, let’s dig into this part of the verse.
This is an astonishing promise. One day, we will truly see Christ.
This is beyond our present limitations. It will be an unveiled and unhindered view of Jesus in His true glory.
Our knowledge of God now is real, but it is partial.
Our minds are frail and finite. We experience moments of clarity, yet we also struggle with weakness and misunderstanding.
Our present vision and understanding of Christ is incomplete.
That will change. One day, we will see Christ as He truly is, without distortion.
Fear, guilt, and shame will no longer cloud our sight. For the Christian, this is not a possibility but a guaranteed hope.
Scripture links seeing Christ with transformation. When we see Him as He is, we will be fully conformed to His likeness. Even now, as we move closer to that day, our vision of Christ grows clearer. There is a gradual change taking place in us, but one day it will be complete.
This promise is meant to motivate us. We are called to pursue the One we will one day see face to face. Allow your heart to be captivated by the coming sight of Christ “as He is.”
Let us examine several passages of Scripture that affirm the truth that one day we will see Jesus as He is.
In Job 19:25–27, Job expresses his deep hope that even after his body is destroyed, he will one day see God. He expects to see Him with his own eyes. This hope has belonged to believers from the very beginning. Just like Job, yearn to see your Redeemer each day, knowing that one day you will see Him as He is.
Job 19:25–27 But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. 26 Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. 27 I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!
In Isaiah 6:1, the prophet Isaiah describes a vision of the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted. He saw Him in His majesty and glory. One day, believers will see Jesus as He is, not in a vision, but face to face.
Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.
In 1 Corinthians 13:12, we learn that today we can only see Jesus like a dim reflection. In Paul’s time, mirrors were made of polished metal, so the reflection was not clear, like mirrors are today. Right now we cannot see Jesus perfectly. But one day we will see Him as He truly is, and in that moment we will be perfectly transformed into His likeness.
1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a dim 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.
In Matthew 5:8, Jesus declares that the pure in heart will see God. This does not refer to moral perfection achieved by human effort, but to a heart cleansed and transformed by God’s grace. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise will occur when Jesus returns and believers see Him face to face as He truly is. Therefore, Christians are called to live lives of purity now, in preparation for the day they will see Jesus in His glory.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
In John 17:24, Jesus expresses His desire that all who belong to Him would be with Him and see His glory. This glory is eternal, given to Him by the Father before the world began. God’s plan has always been for His people to dwell with Christ and behold His glory. Look forward with hope to the day when you will see His glory fully and forever.
John 17:24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
In Revelation 1:12–16, John sees Jesus as He truly is in His glorified state. This vision reveals Christ as He is now, reigning in glory. When we see Jesus as He is, we will be fully transformed and become like Him. These verses give us a glimpse of His glory, helping us understand what it will be like to see Him when He appears.
Revelation 1:12–16 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. 14 The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
In conclusion, when Christ appears and we see Him as He truly is, we will be transformed to be like Him.
Here are some key takeaways from the verses we studied.
Like Job, live in faith with a deep longing to behold your Redeemer with your own eyes. (Job 19:25–27)
One day you will see the Lord face to face, the same Lord Isaiah saw in his vision, seated on the throne high and lifted up. (Isaiah 6:1)
We see Jesus dimly now, but one day we will see Him fully. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
When someone’s heart is cleansed by God’s grace, they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)
Jesus prayed to God that all who belong to Him would see His glory. (John 17:24)
John saw a vision of Jesus in His glorified state, radiant and powerful. One day we will see Him as He truly is, with our own eyes. (Revelation 1:12–16)
Be encouraged. One day, as a follower of Jesus, you will see Him as He is and be like Him.
Here is a prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope we have in Jesus. Help me to live each day longing to see Him as He truly is. Cleanse my heart by Your grace, so that one day I may behold His glory and be transformed to be like Him. Strengthen my faith and keep my eyes fixed on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s read this part of the verse, one more time.
1 John 3:2 … for we will see Him as He is.
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Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
