The Manifestation of the Sons of God.
The children of God are not now revealed in the fulness of their relationship. As was Christ in this world so are they. When here, He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. There was no beauty of splendor about Him that men desired; “He was despised and rejected of men.” When He walked the earth, to all, except to those of faith, He was but a man—a very remarkable man, perhaps, but of the earth, earthy. So His earth life is to men now, even to some who profess His name. And such also are His followers; foolish, deluded, fanatical, have they been called in every age and every land. Many have died, as did the Master. But when Christ comes the second time, revealed in the glory of heaven, it will be the revelation of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. It will be the brightness of His coming, the shining forth of His presence, the glory of which will slay the wicked. 2 Thess. 2:8. But that glory which has been brought to the saints by faith now, will then be revealed. Rom. 8:18. The sons of God will then be manifested in their full relationship, a relationship and glory which all the world will acknowledge. “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.” 1 John 3:2.