“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.” 1 Corinthians 13:12a.

When we look into this dim mirror, this enigma, we can see only as we study diligently, the things that words can only describe inadequately.

It will take immortal eyes to see the things, including God the Father, that the imagination of man cannot conceive.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17.

It will take immortal ears to hear words and music that are inconceivable on this earth. It will take an immortal soul to feel the peace and love which dwells eternally and unchanging in God’s presence.

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” 1 Corinthians 15:50-54.

The Apostle John fell down as a dead man at the feet of the risen, glorified Christ when He appeared to him on the island of Patmos, see Revelation chapter one.

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Revelation 1:17-18.

This is the same John who laid his head on Jesus’ breast during the Last Supper just before the arrest of the Lord (John 13:21-26).

“Most assuredly, I [Jesus] say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” John 13:21b-25.

The Apostle Paul was given a vision of the third heaven, which is where God resides, and the man who wrote most of the New Testament, even with this little glimpse, still came away amazed.

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago – whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows – such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows – how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.

Two men stood on the edge of eternity and were changed forever by what they saw. These eye witnesses testified to these things just as the Apostle Peter did when he recalled his experience on the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13).

“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16-18.

Soon all who have put their trust in Jesus will stand face to face with Him and with God the Father and the inexpressible will become known to us.

“Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12b.

Any Christian knows far more than an unbeliever, but it is our job to learn as much as possible.

“Of all the afflictions that burden the human race, there is not one, whether spiritual or bodily, that cannot be healed by the Holy Scriptures.” John Chrysostom, 349-407.

“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:23-24.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

Or as the King James Version renders the above verse:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15, KJV.

Christians are indeed workmen, workmen in God’s fields and the more we know of Him, the more successful we will be in the fields that God has given us. Nevertheless, the right understanding of Scripture helps us too, not only in life but also in the life to come.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

As 1 Corinthians 13:12b says, “Now I know in part…” but the things we know in part can be small or great. “…but then I shall know just as I also am known”, God’s greatness will suddenly become so immense that we will wonder that the whole universe can contain Him.

Hold on to these things no matter what, because they are true, and the rewards are great.

“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-9.

“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk [conduct yourselves] and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1, New American Standard Bible.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25.

Enigma, Part 2 taken from godisrevealed.com updated on 9-24-19, reposted on 2-25-25 ck.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.