‘For now we see only a 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.’ (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Yesterday, we saw how Paul likened us, in this age, to being immature children who, only at Christ's return will become mature; now, he uses the illustration of a mirror to express the same idea of only having a measure of the fullness that is to come. This era like a mirror, although a good image, is, nevertheless, a fraction of the real thing. This era, before Jesus’ return, is a fraction of what we will experience and what we will be when Jesus comes. At that time we ’shall see face to face’. Any revelation of God in the present is fractional compared to seeing Him face to face!
Incredibly, we are told that ‘then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.’ We shall know God fully! Whatever this means, it at least means that we will have as full an understanding of God as it is possible for limited humans to have.
I love this image that we are given of worship that is taking place in heaven:
‘Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”’ (Revelation 4:8-11)
All of creation worships God. I wonder if the symbolism of these angelic beings being covered with eyes speaks of a desire to see as much of God as possible. I don’t believe that, in glory, we will be covered with eyes, however, I do believe that we will want to see and will be enabled to see more of the glory of God than is now imaginable. Jesus, in fact, has prayed for this:
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.’ (John 17:24)
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