253. By And By.

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. - 1 John 3:2.

THE present condition of the believer, notwithstanding its imperfection, is a state of much joy and honor. Looked at in the light of faith it is sublime, for "now are we the sons of God." We are near to God's heart as his children. We nestle under the wings of God for protection. We abide in his pavilion for communion. We are fed in his pasture for provision.

For all this, our earthly existence is not a life, which we would desire to be perpetual. It is as a traveler's pilgrimage, a sailor's voyage, a soldier's warfare; and we look forward to its end with joyful expectation.

We will let the text divide itself verbally.

I. "IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE."

At present we are veiled, and we travel through the world incognito.

1. Our Master was not made manifest here below.

· His glory was veiled in flesh.

· His Deity was concealed in infirmity.

· His power was hidden under sorrow and weakness.

· His riches were buried under poverty and shame. The world knew him not, for he was made flesh.

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

· The son is treated as a servant while under age.

· The heir is kept a pensioner till his majority.

· The prince serves as a soldier before he reaches the throne.

We must needs have an evening before our morning, a schooling before our college, a tuning before the music is ready.

3. This is not the world to appear in.

· There are none to appreciate us, and it would be as though kings showed their royalty at a wake, or wise men discoursed philosophy before fools.

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

4. This is not the time in which to appear in our glory.

The winter prepares flowers, but it does not call them forth.

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

· To everything there is a season, and this is not the time of glory.

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

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

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

· He will be manifest upon this earth in person.

· He will be manifest in perfect happiness.

· He will be manifest in highest glory.

· He will appear surely, and so we speak of it as a date for our own manifesting: "when he shall appear."

Oh the hope, the glory, the bliss, the fullness of delight which cluster around this great appearing!

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.

We must be made in a measure like him now, or else we shall not be found so at his appearing.

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.

· The sight will be ravishing.

· The sight will be transforming and transfiguring.

· The sight will be abiding, and a source of bliss for ever.

Behold what glories come out of our being the sons of God!

Let us not rest till by faith in Jesus we receive power to become sons of God, and then let us go on to enjoy the privileges of sonship.