So . . . this morning I wrap up my reading plan . . . as always, it has been a great journey through God’s word . . . I do enjoy these times . . . coffee beside me . . . Holy Spirit inside me . . . words of life in front of me. Some mornings it’s been a little difficult to get up and I feel like I may have been a little “dull of understanding” as I read, but, for the most part, the mornings are such a joy . . . the Lord so faithful in showing me something for the day . . . the word of God so alive and powerful, “and sharper than any two-edge sword.” And as I wrap up, not surprisingly, what stirs my heart is the thought of one day being with Him.

You gotta love Revelation 22 . . . how cool is it to peer into heaven itself . . . it becoming a foretaste of what awaits the believer. You read that chapter and your soul can’t help but join in the chorus of “I just can’t wait” anticipation, “Come! . . . .Come! . . . Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” And how appropriate is that for this time of year? As we reflect on the fact — yes, the fact and reality — that He has already come once, just as foretold . . . as we reflect on that fact this Christmas, shouldn’t it also spark the excitement of Him coming again, just as foretold? Read the Christmas story in Matthew or Luke . . . reflect on the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Redeemer . . . then read Revelation 22 and meditate on the soon-to-happen fulfillment of God’s promise to unite the Bridegroom and Bride . . . to put away all sin, sorrow, and suffering . . . and to gather His people to be with Him in a place that is beyond imagination.

And, I noticed three things about those who will be with Him in that place. First, “His servants will serve Him” (22:3b). It’s not about harps and fluffy clouds . . . there’s some sort of work to be done in Glory . . . our hands will have things to do in service for the One who came not to be served, but to serve others and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Second, we “shall reign forever and ever” (22:5b). Check that out . . . servants and rulers . . . maybe that’s how we’ll serve is through ruling. I don’t fully know what we’ll be reigning over, but that’s what it says here. As joint heirs of Christ we will reign with Him over His inheritance for eternity . . . doesn’t that stir the imagination a bit?

But its the third thing I see that stirs my heart the most. Serving Him will be great . . . how He deserves my life for eternity. Reigning with Him will be blessing beyond blessing . . . what privilege and heights He has saved us to. But, it’s this third thing that will surpass all other wonders and blessings of heaven . . . “They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads” (22:4).

Oh, to see His face! To behold Him up close and in person! To gaze upon the One who died for me . . . who wooed me to Himself . . . who saved me . . . and seated me together with Himself in heavenly places . . . what will that be? I might be wrong, but it feels like that’s the main event . . . all the blessings of heaven pale but for the thought of being face to face before the throne of God and of the Lamb. We shall behold Him . . . in all His glory. We shall see His face . . . in all its beauty. We shall gaze into His eyes . . . and He, into our ours. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

We can only imagine what the scene truly looked like on that night in Bethlehem when Jesus, the Savior, was born. In terms of all men through all history, only a select few saw Him face-to-face at His first advent. Many today though, see Him face to face as those who have believed and gone on to glory . . . and they wait with Him for the final consummation of redemption’s work. And then, there are those of us who live in anticipation . . . with excitement at the thought of one day seeing Him . . . face to face. “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (22:17)

Face to face with Christ my Savior . . . Face to face what will it be . . . When with rapture I behold Him . . . Jesus Christ Who died for me? Face to face! O blissful moment! . . . Face to face to see and know . . . Face to face with My Redeemer . . . Jesus Christ who loved me so. Face to face I shall behold Him . . . Far beyond the starry sky . . . Face to face in all His glory . . . I shall see Him by and by!

Ain’t it so? Amen!