Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is. (I John 3:2)

I really love the thought presented above which I will state in my own words, “it is not yet clear what we will become, but we know we will be like him when he does come.”

As Christians none of us knows what will ultimately be our form once Christ appears, but we can have a hope that as he is we will be.

Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

So our state or condition when Christ appears will be one where our old nature filled with sorrow and pain will no longer weigh us down.  We will be a part of a new order of humanity– one that is filled with the joy of the Lord on all occasions.

Many Christians have a peace in their hearts on occasion but there are times that we falter and the joy and peace seem to depart for a season, until the joy of the Lord comes again strengthening our hearts and minds.

The key to the Christian life is to listen to the Lord and obey so that we can remain in this state of peace. To have his peace is to have everything.

When depression and anxiety no longer linger in our hearts, we have the power to live a life of true freedom.  Freedom from these things is greater than democratic freedom because even in democracies sorrow and pain hold people down.

Oh, but when the new order of Christ comes into the earth there will be such joy in the hearts of men!

We don’t know what we will be like, but the hope of such an existence propels us deeper into the arms of Christ. The hope of no more pain and no more sorrow, of perpetual peace draws us deeper and deeper.

And while we cannot be absolutely certain about our final form, we know for sure that we will be like him, because we can feel him in our hearts even now, and what he is, is beautiful, and lovely and true. Amen?