Seeing His Face

06.24.09

J.A. Matteson

"...and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads." revelation 22:4

Peculiar to the world is the love of the pilgrim for the Savior who is unseen. At this juncture the reasoning of the world falls flat for it cannot comprehend an emotional attachment to that which is not empirically known; the Apostle draws attention to this marvelous relationship between the redeemed sinner and his Savior, “and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8).

Ironically the union the Apostle references is at its essence epistemologically supreme as it finds its origin and maintenance in the eternal Lord of heaven and earth, and the joyful faith within the pilgrims heart—that he will one day see his Savior’s face—testifies that His seed abides within, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).

With regard to seeing His face three observations are noteworthy, the first being the joy of the reality of seeing His face. Every promise for the saints in Holy Writ is “yes and amen” in Christ Jesus and will not fail. There is nothing seen or unseen in all of creation to frustrate that which the Lord has promised to the saints. The weary pilgrim need look no further than to the manifold fulfilled prophecies to shore up a teetering faith, and to consider that the promises of the Lord are not dependent upon man, but upon Him who has spoken and promised for, “…Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned I will do it” (Isa. 46:11b).

The second observation is the joy of the anticipation of seeing His face. To see His face is to behold His glory. The closer the pilgrim aligns his heart to the Savior the more intense is the heavenward call to behold His glory; Moses was such a man, “I pray You, show me Your glory!" (Ex. 33:18). It was the mercy of God that forbade his request for sinful man cannot behold His holy face and not die. Once glorified sin will be no more and the saints will eternally gaze upon the face of Him who is pure Light, “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 22:5), and the anticipation of this promise fills the saints heart with overwhelming joy.

The third observation is the joy of the fulfillment of seeing His face. Before the throne of the blessed Lamb of God time immortal will reign, and after an earthly ten thousand years of indescribable bliss has passed the blessed state of the saints will have only just begun, for all eternity will await their praises.

As for His name upon their foreheads two observations are noted. The first is the import of His blessed name. The name of the Lord communicates His character and attributes. The one who is Faithful and True, Merciful, Longsuffering, Love, Avenger of His own, the Good Shepherd, the First and the Last, Provider, Healer, Comforter and Friend, Sustainer, Defender, Advocate, Banner, Creator, and so on, this Ones name is invoked as a pledge that that which He has spoken is trustworthy (Rom. 3:4).

The second is the significance of His name on the forehead of the saints. The imprint signifies sovereign ownership. It is a wonderful joy that pilgrims take pleasure in being His property (1 Cor. 6:19-20), for all of heaven is aligned to protect them from the wicked one and to ensure their progress in sanctification unto glorification, nothing being able to frustrate God’s work in them which He will bring to completion (Rom. 8:31-39).

Beloved, the Savior has gone ahead of you to prepare a place for you and He is faithful and will come to you in His time, that you might be where He is. Rejoice that your name is written in heaven and sing in your heart with the psalmist, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?” (Ps. 42:2).