REVELATION 22:4 – They will see His face . . .

THEME OF THE DAY. FACE-TO-FACE WITH JESUS. Each of us has experienced a reunion with a loved. It might have been a short or long separation, but what was occupying our hearts was the same. We experienced the feeling inside of anticipation, expectation and excitement. I remember long deployments in the Navy. As the day of homecoming drew near, the ship was a festive time filled with all the “giddiness” of returning to our homeport after many months of being away. The longing to see my wife and family intensified as the day showed up on the ship’s schedule. Now, let’s take that into a realm that far exceeds any human reunion; the Day of all Days for all human beings – the day we are face-to-face with the Lord Jesus Christ. And it doesn’t matter whether we are Christians or not. The scriptures tell us, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11). However, this Day of all Days, seeing the Lord Jesus Christ face-to-face, transforms the lives of Christian in this present world. As we ponder the time when our eyes will meet His eyes, there are four spiritual transformations which will occur in our walks with Him.

First, thinking on the day of seeing Jesus face-to-face weans us from the world – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4). The more we set our hearts and minds on Christ and heaven, the less attraction and attachment the world will hold upon our hearts and minds. There is a weaning effect upon the Christian who thinks often of seeing the lovely Lord Jesus.

Next, thinking on the day of seeing Jesus face-to-face purifies our lives – See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3). The Spirit of God promotes holiness in the lives of God’s children who think long on His Son’s Second Coming. We begin to pursue what we are ultimately going to be – like Him.

Another thing which occurs in Christians who look to the day of being face-to-face with Jesus is the developing of humility – What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? (Psalm 8:4). Don’t let the truth of And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us become too familiar and lose its awe-factor (John 1:14). God humbled Himself to become a man; the Godman whom we will see soon. What humility in the Lord Jesus and what humility is created in us as we meditate upon Immanuel – God with us and the God whom we will, after our brief journey on earth, encounter face-to-face.

Finally, when we think on the Day of all Days, seeing Jesus, it motivates us to live each day for Him – For me to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Friends, today could be our last day on earth. Our times are in God’s hands and before this day is over, we might be face-to-face with Jesus. Is there anything more motivating to live for Him than this possibility and someday reality?

Face-to-face with Jesus. For the Christian, this truth transforms our lives in this world, if we take time and think about it.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to constantly think of that Day of all Days when I am face-to-face with Your Son.”

QUOTE: “Think often on the day of seeing Jesus and watch how the Spirit of God transfers your life as a result”