JOHN THE BELOVED SHOWS US TWO AMAZING THINGS HERE, ONE HE FEELS IS TRUE ALREADY, OTHER SURE TO BE

1. He cries "Behold" concerning the Amazing Grace of God that bestows upon us to call us Sons
2. He calls our attention to the fact that when we see Him, we will be like Him- Conformed!
3. This blessed hope should make us walk like royalty today; it should change us even more as we see the day approaching - and it appears to be soon!

I.- WE ARE NOW SONS (CHILDREN) I John 3:2a

John's special message- we become Sons of God by faith in Jesus Christ,- the Son of God!

A.- BEHOLD THE GREAT LOVE OF GOD, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD - v.1a

1. God sent His own Son into the World to call us to be sons,- and to give us power to become sons
2. The great shout of the Patriarch- "Behold NOW" 2a- John uses present perfect reality! Hath
3. We are either Sons of God by faith- Or sons of Satan by carnality- Rom 9:6-8 -Racial- NO, Spirit!

B-"THEREFORE THE WORLD KNOWETH US NOT" THE WORLD CANNOT UNDERSTAND THIS GREAT RELATIONSHIP - 1b

1. I Cor 2:14 the Natural man cannot receive spiritual matters spiritually understood.
2. Nicodemus tried to place this new relationship in the flesh & appeared foolish- John 3:4
3. Don't expect the World to understand you! - Get your understanding from Him! World's favor-Bah!

C.- IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE -2b WE BELIEVE THIS BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT!

1. We have received a great, mysterious inheritance- Mansions - but also changed bodies, hearts!
2. Paul was shown this -II Cor 12:1-4 impossible to tell, but thereafter sought-Phil 3:10 - Resurrection Power.
3. I Cor 2:9 eye not seen, ear heard-what God has prepared! But certainly more than Pre-fall Adamic

There is nothing on this earth that can compare with what God has for us-personally! Puzzled?

II. BUT WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR (CHRIST) I John 3:2b

The world loses this verse on the mystery of the word "He" - some versions give "it"

A.- WHO CAN THE "HE" OF THIS PASSAGE BE BUT - ACTS 1:11 "THIS SAME JESUS"?

1. The beautiful Mt. of Olives- Ezek saw the Glory of Lord depart from it- & So did Jesus!
2. The Apostles saw the miracle- & believed! They also believed what the Angels said- Acts 1:11b
3. To the Apostles the promise was as certain as what they saw!- & expected a private coming-

B.- BUT THE APOSTLE PAUL, WHO WAS NOT AT THE ASCENSION, WROTE SO MUCH ABOUT THIS SECOND COMING

1. John describes Rev. 19:11 the coming to wage war and to conquer the world for Kingdom!
2. But Paul speaks of a "thief in the night"- to catch away "his own"- I Thes 4:16-17
3. and Paul calls this our "blessed Hope"- Titus 1:11-14 & note what this TEACHES us!

C.- WHEN THIS BLESSED EVENT HAPPENS, WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS! -2 d - Not was, or shall be! IS!

1. I Cor 13:12 -now we see through a glass darkly- but still by faith we love Him, believe in Him
2. 2 Cor 3:18 As we see Him- we are changed- Take a good look by faith- let change be started NOW
3. Take your picture of Christ from the Bible- not from any artist and/or Preacher! or Poet!

When Thomas saw the Lord he believed! When Paul saw the Lord he was changed! How about YOU?

III.- WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM ! I John 3:2c

After Paul saw the Lord- the compelling desire of his life was to be like Him-"to win Christ"

A.- FROM EARLY IN ANTIOCH THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN HIM WERE CALLED CHRISTIANS "LITTLE CHRISTS"

1. Wherever people have heard the message of His great love- they have sought His likeness in life
2. We find an old nature striving against us- Rom 7:24 -"O Wretched man, who shall deliver me?"-
3. But God has predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son- Rom 8:29 -predestined!

B.- IT DOES NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE - BUT TODAY ALL CREATION GROANS, WAITING - Rom 8:18-23

1. We were created in His image- but we fell, and the whole earth bears the mark of the curse
2. But we will be changed - Now we are Sons (children) by faith- Gal 4:1-not grown up yet!
3. Then we will mature- I Cor 15:51,2- changed, in a twinkling of an eye- Made like Him-

C.- EVERY MAN THAT HATH THIS HOPE IN HIM PURIFIETH HIMSELF EVEN AS HE IS PURE I John 3:3- Who He?

1. v.5 It was Jesus who was manifested to cut the penalty of sin over us- & power,-now presence.-
2. When he is manifest again- only the eye of the Saved will behold Him- & they will be changed!
3. Then after the Tribulation on earth, the Wedding Supper of Lamb in Heaven- He will come again-

But then every eye will behold him- & every tongue confess, every knee bow Phil.2:10,11

LET HIM COME INTO YOUR HEART NOW, OR YOU WILL MISS THE THIEF IN THE NIGHT, & MEET A CONQUERER!

1. The way you get ready is by receiving Him as your Savior now! become a Son of God by Faith
2. Then live the life you should- the Hope will give you motivation to walk close to Him!
3. The day is far spent, & the night cometh!- The World is ready- are you?