WHEN THE PERFECT COMES

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (1 Corinthians 13:10)

Devotion 15 of 17

FACE TO FACE

Paul argues his point with great power. "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known" (1 Cor 13:12, NKJV). The idea is that presently, while still in the body, we actually see but a faint reflection of the realities faith appropriates. Even though the realities themselves are precise in every detail, our present capacities are not adequate to bring clarity of vision. The thought that a completed canon equates with seeing "face to face" taxes the patience of the youngest among us!

This expression ("face to face") is a common phrase in Scripture denoting an immediate confrontation with God. Jacob named the place where he wrestled with an angel, Peniel, because, he said, "I have seen God FACE TO FACE, yet my life has been preserved" (Gen 32:30). The closeness of the Lord to Moses is described in these words, "Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses FACE TO FACE, just as a man speaks to his friend" (Ex 33:11). Moses reminded Israel of their closeness to the proximity of Deity at Sinai; "The LORD spoke to you FACE TO FACE at the mountain from the midst of the fire" (Deut 5:4). Moses is described as a prophet "whom the LORD knew FACE TO FACE" (Deut 34:10). Gideon described his confrontation of a holy angel as seeing "the angel of the LORD FACE TO FACE" (Judges 6:22). In a remarkable word to wayward Israel, God spoke of them ultimately confronting Him. "And I shall bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out; and I shall bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I shall enter into judgment with you FACE TO FACE" (Ezek 20:34-35).

This language is rich with Scriptural heritage. We do not need a religious philosopher to unlock its meaning for us. Nor, indeed, can the linguist provide us with the splendidness of its meaning by drawing from the well of human language.

The Scriptures themselves unfold the meaning. "Face to face" speaks of the time when we shall "see Him as He is" (1 John 3:1-3). Although it is a time when "every eye shall see Him" (Rev 1:7), believers shall behold the fulness of what they experienced in this world by faith. In glory, there will be no buffer zone between us and our Lord; no flesh to obscure, and no weakened natural abilities! Forever put from your mind that "face to face" means you are looking at sixty-six books of the Bible instead of thirty-nine, or forty-five, or fifty-two! The Spirit is not talking about a completed Bible, but a completed YOU! A completed salvation! An accomplished Divine objective! The ultimate objective of God--His eternal purpose--is not to give us a Bible, but to bring many sons to glory! The Bible is absolutely essential for the fulfillment of that purpose, but is not itself the purpose.

"Face to face" is the ultimate confrontation with God, Christ, and the glories of the world to come. It will occur when the veil of flesh is removed. That, and that alone, is what inhibits the child of God, causing eternal verities to be obscure, even though they have been made known.

There has been scheduled on the horizon of eternal purpose a showing, or unveiling, of the King of Kings. The Word speaks of it in this way. ". . . our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times He [God] shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim 6:14-15). Until He is seen plainly, nothing else can be seen in its fulness. We thus know in part because we only see our Lord in part.

The experience of seeing our Lord and our inheritance with no obstruction is marvelous to ponder. Then, no more filtered communication, only direct involvement! We will drink directly from the fountain of the water of life. Until then, we are shut up to partiality! Yet even in that situation, infinitely more can now be seen through faith than the average Christian has scarcely imagined.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I praise You through Christ for a salvation that prepares us to see You face to face, and to do so with joy and satisfaction.

-- Tomorrow: KNOWING AS WE ARE KNOWN --