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1 John 3:2

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear…

I. "IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE." At present we are veiled, and travel through the world incognito.

1. Our Master was not made manifest here below.

(1)  His glory was veiled in flesh.

(2)  His Deity was concealed in infirmity.

(3)  His power was hidden under sorrow and weakness.

(4)  His riches were buried under poverty and shame.

2. We are not fit to appear in full figure as yet.

(1)  The son is treated as a servant while under age.

(2)  The heir is kept a pensioner till his majority.

(3)  The prince serves as a soldier before he reaches the throne.

3. This is not the world to appear in.

(1) There are more to appreciate us, and it would be as though kings showed their royalty at a wake, or wise men discoursed philosophy before fools.

(2) A warring and waiting condition like the present would not be a fit opportunity for unveiling.

(a)  The winter prepares flowers, but does not call them forth.

(b)  The ebb tide reveals the secrets of the sea, but many of our rivers no gallant ship can then sail.

(c)  To everything there is a season, and this not the time of glory.

II. "BUT WE KNOW THAT WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR."

1. We shall speak of our Lord's manifestation without doubt. "We know."

2. Our faith is so assured that it becomes knowledge.

(1)  He will be manifest upon this earth in person.

(2)  He will be manifest in perfect happiness.

(3)  He will be manifest in highest glory.

(4)  He will appear surely, and so we speak of it as a date for our own manifesting — "when He shall appear."

III. "WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM." We shall then be as manifested and as clearly seen as He will be. The time of our open presentation at court will have come.

1. Having a body like His body: sinless, incorruptible, painless, spiritual, clothed with beauty and power, and yet most real and true.

2. Having a soul like His soul: perfect, holy, instructed, developed, strengthened, active, delivered from temptation, conflict, and suffering.

3. Having such dignities and glories as He wears: kings, priests, conquerors, judges, sons of God.

IV. "WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS."

1. This glorious sight will perfect our likeness.

2. This will be the result of our being like Him.

3. This will be evidence of our being like Him, since none but the pure in heart can see God.

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