WE'LL SEE GOD FACE-TO-FACE

An artist asked the gallery owner if there had been any interest in his paintings on display at that time.

"I have good news and bad news," the owner replied. "The good news is that a gentleman enquired about your work and wondered if it would appreciate in value after your death. When I told him it would, he bought all fifteen of your paintings."

"That's wonderful!" the artist exclaimed. "What's the bad news?"

"The guy was your doctor."

Death is the great reality of this world. It’s the great equalizer and the final truth of every man’s existence. Some fear it, others laugh at it, but all must face it.

Death plays no favorites, either. A legend tells of the great philosopher Diogenes looking through a heap of bones when Alexander the Great came to him. Alexander was puzzled by Diogenes’ interest in the bones and asked what he was seeking. Diogenes replied, "I am searching for the bones of your father, but I cannot distinguish them from those of his slaves."

As is true in all men, once we die, on earth there will be very little difference between the rich man and the beggar. Humanly speaking, we all have the same finality: death of the body. It’s easy to forget this fact, yet, it’s a truth none of us can escape.

Where should we turn to see the truth about being in the presence of God? Do the Psalms have anything to say about this? Sure they do:
Psalm 11:7 "For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face."
Psalm 16:11 "In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures
forever."
Psalm 17:15 "As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake."

Psalm 16:11 and Psalm 17:11 give us an interesting insight into being in God’s presence in the words "Fullness" and "satisfied." In other words, God’s presence will not inspire fear or trepidation, but rather peace and contentment beyond anything the earthly realm can comprehend.

If a servant fell on his face to make a petition before his king or master, the master would raise the man’s head as a sign that the petition would be fulfilled. To lift someone’s face came to mean primarily to grant a favor, and it gives us a good idea of what God will have in store for His children in His home: the granting of the greatest wish of any Christian, to be with the Lord forever. God will lift the face of one person, granting him favor.

Bible scholar John MacArthur says:
" We can begin to understand why Peter, after seeing only a faint glimpse of that glory, wanted to make a camp on the Mount of Transfiguration and stay there permanently (Matt. 17:4)... In heaven we will actually see the Lord face to face. This is impossible in the earthly realm. After all, God said, No man can see Me and live (Ex. 33:20, NASB). John 1:18 and 1 John 4:12 both say, No one has seen God at any time. First Timothy 6:16 declares that God alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. Indeed, God is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness (Hab. 1:13). As long as we are tainted by sin, we cannot see God. The view of such perfect righteousness would destroy us."


John MacArthur adds:
"In heaven, since we will be free from sin, we will see God's glory unveiled in its fullness. That will be a more pleasing, spectacular sight than anything we have known or could ever imagine on earth. No mere earthly pleasure can even begin to measure up to the privilege and the ecstasy of an unhindered view of the divine glory.

Matthew 5:8 says, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ The Greek verb translated ‘see’ (horao) is in a tense that denotes a future, continuous reality. In heaven we will continually be seeing God. Kings generally seclude themselves from direct contact with their people. It is a rare privilege to have an audience with a king. But believers in heaven will forever have perfect, unbroken fellowship with the King of Kings.

And Philip, speaking for all the disciples, said to Christ, ‘Show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ (John 14:8)."6 Rightfully so - the presence of the Father in His glory and majesty would surpass any treasure in the universe.

Revelation 22:3-4 seals the promise: The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve him. They shall see his face (emphasis added). David wrote, ‘As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness’ (Ps. 17:15). ... The redeemed will be able to see God. "