“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:4, NIV). When Jesus comes back and appears to all then we will also appear with Jesus. What kind of appearance will we make? First, we will have a joint appearance with the “star” of the universe: Jesus Christ. A rising movie actor may hope that one day that they will get to appear in a movie with one of their movie idols. But we have a much greater appearance in mind – and ours is guaranteed! Jesus is purifying us “so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27, ESV).
Secondly, we will appear “in glory”. This does not just mean that we will go to a glorious place to live. The primary meaning is that we will have a glorified body and soul that is like Jesus’ body and soul. This is a prominent New Testament theme. 1 John 3:2 states: “When he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (ESV). We will finally be who God intended us to be, and who we desire to be.
How often do you remind yourself of the honor that God will give you after Jesus returns? How much does this affect your attitudes and actions?
