We will see God. Think about that. We are going to see God—you are going to see God. You, Mr. or Ms. Ordinary, are actually, in reality, going to stand before God and see Him for yourself. We say this truth with our words all the time, but I don’t think we really see it in our future like we see that tomorrow we’ll go to work and see our co-workers. Sure, we think about other people seeing God, but think hard about this: One day, it will be your turn. You. Not someone else. As Job said:
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
I imagine that thinking about this certain, future event in concrete terms could cause three very different reactions. First, for those who ignore God in this life, the idea can’t be very appealing. These are the ones who have never seen God in all His goodness, truth, and beauty. They don’t know Him as someone to be desired for true joy but, instead, always think of Him as someone to be avoided. They cling to their worn-out, threadbare ways, fearing God will take what they have away. They see God as the ultimate “taker” and spoiler of all things enjoyable. Such a person would dread seeing God in the end.
Second, for those who are keenly aware of their own sin but know nothing about Jesus and the grace the Father provided through Him “because of His great love with which He loved us” (Eph. 2:4–7), the idea of “seeing Him with their own eyes” would bring fear. Without a redeemer, meeting the Judge of the universe—who sees all and can’t be bribed—is a terrifying prospect.
But the third reaction (how I pray people would see God as He is so that this would be their reaction!), the reaction of those who know God in this life, is the one expressed by Job: “How my heart yearns within me!”
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
You are going to stand before God. You will see Him with your own eyes. Your honest reaction to this fact will reveal what you truly think of Him and your salvation. If the third reaction isn’t yours, it’s time to get to know Him better.