The Really Amazing Moment When You See Jesus in Glory
Have you ever thought about that moment when you will see Jesus face-to-face in glory?
I try to imagine the moment when Mary Magdalene first realized she was standing before her risen Lord and Savior. I don’t think there are words to express her feelings accurately.
John wrote that after talking with two angels in the tomb…
She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize Him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought He was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will go and get Him.”
“Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to Him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
John 20:14–16
Imagine the mixture of surprise, joy, and love that filled every part of her being.
As you quietly consider her emotions, read these words from the Apostle John…
Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.
1 John 3:2
That’s faith, isn’t it!
We can only imagine the overwhelming moment when we will first see Jesus face to face.
When people in Scripture experienced the presence of the Lord in all His glory, they were flattened.
John shared the following about his vision of Revelation…
When I saw [the Son of Man], I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
Revelation 1:17–18
Ezra, the writer of Chronicles, wrote…
When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the Lord filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!”
2 Chronicles 7:3
The prophet Ezekiel wrote…
All around Him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the Lord looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground.
Ezekiel 1:28
And Luke wrote this about Paul’s conversion experience…
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission [to imprison believers], a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
Acts 9:3–4
As you and I walk through life’s trials, it’s important to remember these words of Paul, the transformed persecutor known as Saul…
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (ESV)
We are loved with everlasting love by the King of kings and Lord of lords. Our Creator, Savior, and Holy Advocate loves each of us perfectly.
So, when our faith becomes reality, and you and I see Jesus as He really is. When we are fully transformed into the people we were created to be… people transformed to be like our Savior. Well, I can only imagine!
Bart Millard wrote it perfectly…
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine!
Today, we can only imagine. But on that day when we see Jesus face-to-face in glory, we will never want it to end. And praise God it never will.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer of Thanks and Anticipation for
The Moment You See Jesus in Glory
Heavenly Father, I hardly know where to begin. When I imagine being with You, the moment I will see Jesus in glory, I’m overwhelmed. I’m moved by a love so great that You sent Jesus to suffer what we deserve, what I deserve. And Jesus lived a love so great that He willingly gave His life.
That the Spirit has filled me with what I need to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST You through my Savior. And that You, Lord, give me hope for an eternal future in Your presence.
When I think about it all, I fall to my knees in humility and lift my heart and hands in worship. I give myself to You, Father, and ask You to work in me. Please mold me and make me more like my Savior, Jesus.
Thank you for Your promises. Thank you for the gift of hope. Thank you for giving me a glimpse of that moment when I will see Jesus in glory.
You are perfect love, gracious, and good. I surrender my all to You in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
You and I live with hope because of God’s grace. He gave Jesus the light of the world to save us and blessed us with the gift of faith.
Paul wrote…
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
These words blessed me…
“It is not darkness you are going to, for God is Light. It is not lonely, for Christ is with you. It is not unknown country, for Christ is there.” ~ Charles Kingsley
Spend time imagining what it will be like to see Jesus face-to-face in glory. When He calls us home, will be the moment our faith and hope become reality.
Remember the disciples, who saw the risen Savior. They did not fear their lives ending on earth but boldly shared their hope with everyone who would listen.
May God give us everything we need to have hope like the disciples and love like Jesus.
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I absolutely love that song, “I Can Only Imagine,” as it speaks so much truth to our souls. One day, we will see our wonderful Savior face-to-face when He gathers us to Himself. Blessings, Deb!
And what an amazing day it will be! Blessings and hugs to you, Martha!
I can only imagine how it will feel to see HIM face to face; to be free of worry, of feeling lonely or being frightened of the unknown, freedom of pain and suffering and feeling rejected or abandoned. Seeing the Light and feeling the warmth of HIS loving arms around me!!
What a beautiful post today. Thank you so much!! This was much needed!
Love hugs to you,
Sue
Amen, Sue! What a beautiful way to describe the hope and faith we carry with us every day. God bless you, dear friend!
Deb, thank you for this beautiful devotion! I recall 2 special memories. The 1 John 3:2 verse was a choral piece we sang at our church in Lincoln, NE. And the song, “I Can Only Imagine” was performed as a liturgical dance that our daughter and friends did at Valpo and then our church in Lima, OH. God bless you!
Thanks, Sandy! That has been one of my favorite songs for a long time. It’s wonderful that you have those special memories to go along with it. I pray you and Jim are doing well. God’s blessings, dear friend!