By: Robert Serreyn

Question? In 1 John 3:2 explain the part that says “and it doth not yet appear what we shall be”?

(1 John 3:2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Answer:

To UNDERSTAND the first part you MUST understand the second part “when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is”.

When Jesus Christ appears in all of his glory to recieve us in the sky (rapture) we will at that instant be changed.

(1 Corinthians 15:52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

We will recieve our resurrected glorified body at that monent and the phrase “we shall be like him” is in reference to the fact that we too just like the Lord Jesus Christ will have a RESURRECTED body.

Shortly after the rapture ALL christians will stand at the Judgement Seat of Christ to either RECIEVE or LOSE rewards DEPENDING on if what we did was to the Glory of Christ and the furtherment of the Gospel or to the Dishonor of Christ and for self glory.

(1 Corinthians 3:11- 15) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. (14) If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The first part of this verse “and it doth not yet appear what we shall be” simply means until that time it will DEPEND on what we have done for the Lord during our lifetime will determine our level of responsibility (Apperance) in heaven.

If we are FAITHFUL in serving the Lord we will hear:

(Matthew 25:21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

IF NOT then we shall suffer the LOSS OF REWARDS for our UNFAITHFULNESS.

(1 Corinthians 3:15) If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

If we are UNFAITHUL to the Lord here on earth in this life how can we expect to have responsibilities in heaven if we were not faithful to the few responsibilities he gave us here on earth.

MOST christians fit into this catagory: Saved but have NOTHING to show for it, a all to common story.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH