Our Resurrection As Saints of God

I John 3:2

When He shall appear, "we shall be like Him."

The texts we will survey span a time period of some 16 centuries, as best man can calculate it The doctrine of the resurrection is not to be found alone in the New Testament for three of the five texts we will quote are in the Old Testament. The most recent passage will be our starting point as it clearly sets forth the matter we wish to discuss.

"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.", I John 3:2.

This verse may be divided into five segments, for reason of study:

(A) "Beloved, now are we the sons of God,". We become "sons of God" by the "born again" experience, John 3:3, 7. Make no mistake, "Ye must be born again." See John 3:5. There is a "flesh" birth, and there is another birth: ". . . that which is born of the Spirit is spirit", John 3:6. "Spirit" denotes the Holy Spirit of God.

(B) "...it doth not yet appear what we shall be:" I John 3:2. I can not adequately tell you all the details of this future "change" in us saints. I'm sure it is to glorious for us to fully comprehend in the present time.

(C) "but we know that, when he shall appear,". This is a clue to the time frame as to when the most sublime "change" shall take place. It will be alluded to in one of our other texts.

(D) "we shall be like him;". What an all-glorious condition that will be for us. What a universe shaking power it will take to accomplish this feat. This result be an 'eye opening' experience as then we can see Divinity "as He is".

This prospect should thrill our saintly soul and enthrall our entire being to look forward to that wonderful day. As we ponder it, we ought to be moved to urge others to hear the Gospel, repent of their sins and believe on Him as Saviour. Only then will they have this "blessed hope" as expressed in Titus 2:12-13-14. May God bless you as you try to envision the delights of this our topic. DDH