Jesus Walking With Crowned Children in ParadiseBible World
22:4Revelation 22:4
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
The verse promises that the redeemed will see God face to face in direct presence and will bear His name openly in their foreheads. It belongs where there is no more curse, with the throne of God and of the Lamb present in the holy city beside the river of life and the tree of life, where the Lord God gives light and they reign forever and ever. Having His name there shows they belong to Him as His sons and daughters, with His seal set upon them because His character of mercy, goodness and truth has been formed in them and is reflected from their faces. The promise is for overcomers who receive Christ, keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and remain loyal through trial and persecution unto life everlasting. Seeing His face then requires preparation now by beholding Him with faith, following Jesus, overcoming sin, and becoming Christlike in mind and character.
Vision Setting and Context
The promise belongs where there is no more curse and the throne of God and of the Lamb is present in the city, with His servants serving Him beside the pure river of water of life and the tree of life with its monthly fruit and healing leaves, where there is no night because the Lord God gives them light and they reign forever and ever. In that life to come His servants see His face and bear His name in their foreheads while they worship and serve in direct presence. The setting is the holy city and New Jerusalem after the new heaven and new earth are made, where the throne is present and there is no more curse and they are a prepared people made fit to endure looking upon the face of God.
That city comes after Christ's second advent and after the close of the thousand years, when the holy city descends from heaven and settles on the earth where the saints live in glorious surroundings and continually praise God. It is the future life with Jesus in the holy city after the saints return to earth with Him, where they behold Him. The verse is part of the description of the time when the work is closed and finished. It was made known by Christ Himself to John on the Isle of Patmos and sets forth the last events of this earth's history, standing together with Revelation 3, 16, 18, and 21 as solemn warning from God for the last days.
It is to be read and understood now, keeping before the mind the things which will be, so Satan cannot keep minds confused and deceive even the elect. The last four chapters of Revelation must be read carefully and obeyed now, pressing the work that should have been done long ago to be done at once, requiring thorough humbling of the soul before God, especially by those in positions of responsibility. The last chapter in particular is to be read to answer whether a person can be saved without keeping the Sabbath, because that chapter gives the promise that those who do His commandments have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city. That last chapter stands as a solemn measure for ministers, so that those who preach their own suppositions and teach as doctrine what is not contained in God's Word instead of searching the Scriptures earnestly and preaching the Word will be classed with those exposed in that chapter.
The verse describes the triumphant consummation closing the great controversy between Christ and Satan, when after the coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the destruction of Satan and of sin, the glorious kingdom of Christ and of God is established with the glorious reign of Christ on the new earth. It shows the time after the Redeemer comes, the controversy is ended, and the saints are given rest, when all immortal they meet around the throne with angels and behold the glory of God and the Lamb face to face. That open sight ends the long separation from God's visible presence caused by the fall. With it ends the necessity for the spirit of prophecy, which then belongs among heaven's choicest blessings of the past, because the immortal saints behold divine glory directly.
Seeing God's Face
The redeemed shall see God face to face in direct presence, beholding the Saviour's face with rapture, seeing Christ as He is and seeing the King in His beauty. Their faces will express indescribable happiness and be lit with His glory and reflect it, and this dwelling in His presence is the hope that calls for increasing faith and courage to endure suffering steadfastly to the end and gives reason to strive for eternal life. This is what was denied to Moses, who asked to see God's glory but was told no man can see His face and live and was put in the cleft of the rock to see only His back parts as His glory passed by. In the promised future the circumstances will have changed, for those who have a place in the city of God and in the New Jerusalem after the new heaven and new earth are made, where the throne of God and of the Lamb is present and there is no more curse, will be a prepared, glorified people made fit to endure looking upon Him.
In their mortal state people cannot endure the sight of God's glory, but after receiving immortality through Christ's death and resurrection they will stand before His throne. With sins blotted out and transgressions taken away and accepted in Christ, they will see His face with the veil between mortality and immortality rent away. The face they will see is the face that angels adore, careworn yet peaceful, with no trace of sin except the weariness caused by the sins of others, revealing love, mercy, purity, goodness and heavenly nobility. It is the same face marred by cruelty and hung on the cross to reveal God's love to the world, to angels, and to men, and Jesus is beautiful with glory and exalted loveliness no language can describe, with crowns upon His head, a crown within a crown, a robe whiter than the whitest white, and a countenance shining brighter than the sun at noonday.
The glory of God will shine forever and ever from the Saviour's countenance, and the redeemed will live in His presence through ceaseless and everlasting ages. Through those ages their minds and tongues will be occupied with the themes and mysteries of redemption. Heaven's happiness is seeing God, and the greatest joy of the sinner saved by Christ's grace is to look upon God's face and know Him as Father. That face-to-face sight brings clear knowledge, passing from knowing in part now to knowing fully even as they are known, and marks their belonging to Him.
Only those who choose to behold that face in this world will delight in His glorified face. Those who turned away from beholding it to look upon evil and unite with sinners, who despised His counsel and would have none of His reproof, will not want to see it then but will turn from it with pain. In that redeemed state the raised saints will come forth to glorious companionship with heavenly angels and will meet loved ones and recognize their faces. Christlikeness does not destroy their image but transforms it into His glorious image, so every saint joined by family relationship here will know each other there, including meeting fellow believers again around the throne of God. This belongs to the heavenly state in which God's mysteries are unfolded and what is now difficult to understand is made clear, where the Bible will be understood in a higher, broader, and clearer sense than now.
Name in Foreheads
The name written in the foreheads is the sign that the redeemed belong to God in the renewed world and in His city. It marks their close relationship to Him and their place among His people in the heavenly city, where they see Him face to face. Their faces reflect the divine image and they know Him, while He openly acknowledges them as His sons and daughters. The name set upon them declares that ownership, and with the added promise that there is no night and they reign forever, it fixes their home in the holy city.
That seal is placed because in this life they did not claim ownership of themselves but gave their minds to God. Having served Him with intellect and heart, with heart and intellect consecrated to Him, they are fitted for Him now to place His name upon them. They do not enter heaven as beggars seeking a place, but are received as His children to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world and to enter into the joy of their Lord. The crown of immortality is then placed on the brow of the overcomers, who cast their crowns at the feet of Jesus and with golden harps fill heaven with songs of praise to the Lamb.
Seeing His face and bearing His name belong to those whose hearts first bear God's imprint and whose characters reflect Christ. That reward is for those who form character after the divine likeness and so enter the holy city to see His face in eternal life. Cherishing evil passions and becoming enraged at reproof are incompatible with it, and earthly joys cannot satisfy in place of God's pure favor.
God's name reveals His character as merciful, gracious, patient, and abundant in goodness and truth, which is His glory and moral image. Those who see His face must reflect that character and be like Him in character. Christ took human nature to walk with humanity so that people could receive the glory given to Him, and even the poorest may receive it by denying self, lifting the cross, and coming after Him. No one can share in the regeneration and see His face without following Him now in transformation of the entire being, a future decided in the hours of probation by earnest, refined piety and unreserved self-sacrifice that completes a person in the similitude of Christ's image.
The name in the forehead marks God as their Sovereign. They are therefore to stand as a separate, peculiar people, keeping free from politics and making their allegiance to God clear.
Heirs of the Promise
The promise belongs to those who receive Christ and stay loyal to God in this life, to whom power is given to become sons of God. Because Christ took glorified humanity into the heavenly courts, God will at last receive them as His own children to dwell with Him forever. The happiness of heaven is seeing God, and the greatest joy of the sinner saved by grace is to look upon God's face and know Him as Father. What is now known only in part will then be known fully, even as they are known.
They are God's denominated people, who on earth witnessed to loyalty by keeping the commandments of God and the faith and testimony of Jesus Christ and by owning the crucified One as Saviour. They are seen where there is no more curse and the throne of God and of the Lamb stands, with His servants serving Him, seeing His face and bearing His name in their foreheads. They are Christ's chosen people, enjoying His kingdom of grace on earth and sharing His kingdom of glory in heaven. As such they are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, partakers of His divine nature and one with Him.
They are the overcomers who do God's Word and remain faithful through crosses borne, losses sustained, persecution suffered, and even loss of temporal life and death. Seeing God's face and bearing His name in their foreheads is their ample recompense, a life that lasts forever. Those whom Christ has forgiven most love Him most and will stand nearest His throne in the final day. They do not enter heaven as beggars seeking a place, but are received as children to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world and to enter into their Lord's joy.
The crown of immortality and of life is placed on the brow of the overcomers, who cast their crowns at Jesus' feet and with golden harps fill heaven with songs of praise to the Lamb. That hope is joined to living in obedience to God's commandments, walking in the light as Christ is in the light, and continuing faithfully without discouragement while doing duty. The crown of life is for those who believe the message of truth and trust God's sustaining grace, each accountable for faithfully warning others rather than for the choices others make. His name will be in the foreheads of all who are pure and holy and now submit to God's will.
This stands in contrast to those who depart from the requirements, set up their own standards of duty to suit different minds, exalt self and make the will of men supreme, and put themselves in controversy with God, for God alone fills heaven and there is no place there for gods. Those who violate principles of heavenly origin, disregard plain injunctions, disrespect the rules of family government, and determinedly do the opposite of what He told them cannot see His face. This present world of test and trial is the lower apartment where fitness for heaven is proved, and only those who here live the Christ life will see His face. For they would create in heaven the same disturbance they created below and stir up a second rebellion, and a woman continuing in a dishonoring course without Christ's righteousness and with speech dishonoring God will never see His face.
Children are to be fitted by discipline for the higher life, where they will live in God's presence and shine forever. Their character is to be shaped so they may bless others in this life and be ready for that future life. The young who are helped and led away from temptation will be among those whose faces reflect God's glory. That promised life of the good and holy is lived among the angels, with the tree of life and crowns of gold.
Restoration and Final Reward
The verse is the final promise of redemption, in which the redeemed see God face to face and bear His name, showing that His image is restored in them and bringing to its culmination the Bible's theme of humanity's restoration and uplifting through God's saving power. It belongs to Paradise restored and Eden restored as the home the redeemed receive a right to, reached only by the path of obedience. That Paradise was lost through sin, and it may be regained through obedience to God's law, repentance for transgression, and faith in Jesus Christ as the only Redeemer whose merits avail for sinful humanity.
That right is kept only by leaving self-pleasing and the rebel's side, giving the whole soul to God in repentance for time and talents given to the enemy, choosing good and refusing evil, and seeking the Lord at once while He may be found. Choosing the disobedience by which Adam and Eve lost their Eden home forfeits the right to the Eden restored. The redeemed receive an eternity of bliss in the higher school where education continues under Christ's personal instruction as He opens the meaning of His Word and speaks the gospel and the story of redemption. Christ will personally teach them, and they will hear from His lips.
Coming into face-to-face fellowship and bearing His name means coming into possession of everlasting life and everlasting happiness, living forever and ever and reigning forever and ever in light the Lord God Himself gives, with no night and no need of candle or sun. There will be no more trials, griefs, or temptations, but fullness of joy in His presence and pleasures forevermore at His right hand, and those who see His face will go out no more forever. Seeing His face and resting in His kingdom is part of eternal blessedness. Overcoming temptation through the divine nature Christ gives makes this hope possible and is linked with sharing Christ's throne.
This will be fulfilled for those who walk in Christ's way, lay hold of the power and richest treasures in His Word, and take all Scripture as guide, and God's mighty blessing will surely come upon them in life everlasting. It is one of the beauties of the world made free of the curse, in which God's servants serve Him where His throne is present. It is the glory awaiting those who overcome and the reward of the faithful in the New Jerusalem, connected with right to the tree of life and entrance through the gates into the city for commandment keepers.
Preparation and Present Obedience
Seeing His face hereafter requires urgent preparation now, with no slothfulness or delay. Eyes must be kept fixed on God while losing sight of the things of this world, the veil of sympathy with worldly customs and practices that hides the Lord's glory must be removed, and life must become Christlike here with Christ known as a present personal Saviour. Everything earthly that interposes between the soul and God must be severed as decisively as cutting off the right hand or plucking out the right eye, and drawing nigh to God brings His drawing nigh with encouragement and strength for the conflict. Entering that hope requires thorough conversion of habits, choices, and character, including overcoming covetousness and ceasing to serve personal interests. The test of those who will be saints in heaven is to love God with whole heart, mind, and strength and neighbor as self, living by the principles of God's law.
The promise belongs to those who now look to Jesus, follow His steps, give themselves to be molded and fashioned by Him, and consecrate life to God's service in preparation for the kingdom, unto one day walking the golden streets and meeting face to face the One who laid aside royal garments and kingly crown, veiled Himself in humanity, and bore human sins to lift sinners and reveal His glory and majesty, then living with Him through ceaseless ages. That future direct vision is given only to those who receive God's presence in the heart in this present life, a possession worth more than all the world. Only those who here live the Christ life will see His face, for this world of test and trial is the lower apartment where fitness for heaven is proved, and those who violate heavenly principles, disregard plain injunctions, disrespect family government, and determinedly do the opposite of what He commanded would create the same disturbance above and stir a second rebellion. The redeemed, glorified by imitating Christ's life and character, will be able to see God's face and bear His name in their foreheads. No one can share in the regeneration without following Him now in transformation of the entire being, a destiny decided in probation by earnest refined piety and unreserved self-sacrifice completing the person in Christ's similitude, even the poorest receiving His glory by denying self, lifting the cross, and coming after Him.
Cooperation with God as He works in the heart to will and do His pleasure is required, working out salvation with fear and trembling, submitting to His will, making daily improvement in family life, and bringing Christlike virtues into character. Seeing His face then requires becoming accustomed to beholding Him with the eye of faith here, by making Christ's words and character often the subject of thought and conversation and by devoting time each day to prayerful meditation upon sacred themes, with earnest effort to change habits of thought long fixed only on earthly things seen and heard. A genuine living experience in the things of God is necessary, since half-hearted religion and unbelief leave one unprepared, though the privilege of receiving all heaven's resources through Christ makes such experience possible. A deeper work of grace in mind and heart with true Christian charity is indispensable. That deeper grace is gained by leaving the crowded mass of indigestible other reading, coming to the pure Word, letting the mind be impressed by it, praying more, and eating the words of life. The Bible supplies the education needed to reach that world, while worldly wisdom and book learning cannot give a sure foundation for eternity.
This world is the lower preparatory school where lessons must be learned for admission to the higher school where education continues under Christ's personal instruction as He opens the meaning of His Word and tells from His lips the story of redemption. Only a few brief years of earnest determined service remain in this very short life compared to eternity, and the few remaining days of probation must be used whole-souled in seeking life, not trifled away in wasted months and years, beginning service now and refusing sin, negligence, and recklessness about eternal interests, because the privilege of seeing Christ cannot be afforded to be missed. Reaching a higher and still higher standard and pleading for sanctification by His Spirit belongs to this striving, for striving to be an overcomer is worth it. The hope is joined to living in obedience to the commandments, walking in the light as Christ is in the light, and continuing faithfully without discouragement, with the crown of life to those who believe the truth and trust sustaining grace while doing duty, each accountable for faithfully warning others rather than for others' choices. Gaining heaven, well worth striving for, calls for preparation now and helping others seek it together, and workers are to give themselves wholly to service and press toward the goal despite hardship and worldly attractions, since the hope is worth every effort and sacrifice. The city of God where servants see His face and bear His name is the promised heavenly life for which to prepare and help others prepare.
Meeting Jesus in peace in that face-to-face fellowship requires preparation of soul, courage in the Lord, bringing troubles and burdens to God who knows how to bear them instead of carrying them, refusing time-wasting controversy, and living in close communion to catch light shining from His face. Reaching the joy of seeing His face and going out no more forever means now being partakers of divine nature, knowing angels are right around so sin need not overcome, sending petitions to the throne in temptation and laying hold of divine power in faith until all are glorified together. The promise is a source of comfort, showing belonging to Him, and gives ground for praise that makes present burdens easier to bear cheerfully. Those who love Him, grow by reflecting His character, receive revealed teachings, do the Word's duties, show unity with Christ, and overcome by the Lamb's blood and testimony look forward with confidence and rejoice in the light of His countenance and presence. Those faithful and steadfast through suffering will see the King in His beauty face to face with His name in their foreheads, calling for increasing faith and courage to endure to the end, giving courage and cheer while awaiting rest in readiness for the Master's call.
This hope of seeing Christ and bearing His name is to be dwelt upon in preaching to impart light and joy to others, and it gives reason to strive for eternal life with faces lit by His glory. The verse with its context shows a heaven to be won that is well worth striving for, proving the overcomer's striving worth it unto everlasting life and happiness, living and reigning forever in light the Lord God gives with no night, no need of candle or sun, and no more trials, griefs, or temptations. The faithful who keep requirements, follow Christ, and obey will enter through the gates with right to the tree of life and ever be in Jesus' presence, serving Him, receiving light from Him, and reigning forever with God giving light and no night. The last chapters press work long neglected to be done at once, requiring thorough humbling of soul before God, especially by those in responsibility, with careful reading and immediate obedience.
The verse promises that the redeemed will see God face to face in direct presence and will bear His name openly in their foreheads. It belongs where there is no more curse, with the throne of God and of the Lamb present in the holy city beside the river of life and the tree of life, where the Lord God gives light and they reign forever and ever. Having His name there shows they belong to Him as His sons and daughters, with His seal set upon them because His character of mercy, goodness and truth has been formed in them and is reflected from their faces. The promise is for overcomers who receive Christ, keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and remain loyal through trial and persecution unto life everlasting. Seeing His face then requires preparation now by beholding Him with faith, following Jesus, overcoming sin, and becoming Christlike in mind and character.
Vision Setting and Context
The promise belongs where there is no more curse and the throne of God and of the Lamb is present in the city, with His servants serving Him beside the pure river of water of life and the tree of life with its monthly fruit and healing leaves, where there is no night because the Lord God gives them light and they reign forever and ever. In that life to come His servants see His face and bear His name in their foreheads while they worship and serve in direct presence. The setting is the holy city and New Jerusalem after the new heaven and new earth are made, where the throne is present and there is no more curse and they are a prepared people made fit to endure looking upon the face of God.
That city comes after Christ's second advent and after the close of the thousand years, when the holy city descends from heaven and settles on the earth where the saints live in glorious surroundings and continually praise God. It is the future life with Jesus in the holy city after the saints return to earth with Him, where they behold Him. The verse is part of the description of the time when the work is closed and finished. It was made known by Christ Himself to John on the Isle of Patmos and sets forth the last events of this earth's history, standing together with Revelation 3, 16, 18, and 21 as solemn warning from God for the last days.
It is to be read and understood now, keeping before the mind the things which will be, so Satan cannot keep minds confused and deceive even the elect. The last four chapters of Revelation must be read carefully and obeyed now, pressing the work that should have been done long ago to be done at once, requiring thorough humbling of the soul before God, especially by those in positions of responsibility. The last chapter in particular is to be read to answer whether a person can be saved without keeping the Sabbath, because that chapter gives the promise that those who do His commandments have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city. That last chapter stands as a solemn measure for ministers, so that those who preach their own suppositions and teach as doctrine what is not contained in God's Word instead of searching the Scriptures earnestly and preaching the Word will be classed with those exposed in that chapter.
The verse describes the triumphant consummation closing the great controversy between Christ and Satan, when after the coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the destruction of Satan and of sin, the glorious kingdom of Christ and of God is established with the glorious reign of Christ on the new earth. It shows the time after the Redeemer comes, the controversy is ended, and the saints are given rest, when all immortal they meet around the throne with angels and behold the glory of God and the Lamb face to face. That open sight ends the long separation from God's visible presence caused by the fall. With it ends the necessity for the spirit of prophecy, which then belongs among heaven's choicest blessings of the past, because the immortal saints behold divine glory directly.
Seeing God's Face
The redeemed shall see God face to face in direct presence, beholding the Saviour's face with rapture, seeing Christ as He is and seeing the King in His beauty. Their faces will express indescribable happiness and be lit with His glory and reflect it, and this dwelling in His presence is the hope that calls for increasing faith and courage to endure suffering steadfastly to the end and gives reason to strive for eternal life. This is what was denied to Moses, who asked to see God's glory but was told no man can see His face and live and was put in the cleft of the rock to see only His back parts as His glory passed by. In the promised future the circumstances will have changed, for those who have a place in the city of God and in the New Jerusalem after the new heaven and new earth are made, where the throne of God and of the Lamb is present and there is no more curse, will be a prepared, glorified people made fit to endure looking upon Him.
In their mortal state people cannot endure the sight of God's glory, but after receiving immortality through Christ's death and resurrection they will stand before His throne. With sins blotted out and transgressions taken away and accepted in Christ, they will see His face with the veil between mortality and immortality rent away. The face they will see is the face that angels adore, careworn yet peaceful, with no trace of sin except the weariness caused by the sins of others, revealing love, mercy, purity, goodness and heavenly nobility. It is the same face marred by cruelty and hung on the cross to reveal God's love to the world, to angels, and to men, and Jesus is beautiful with glory and exalted loveliness no language can describe, with crowns upon His head, a crown within a crown, a robe whiter than the whitest white, and a countenance shining brighter than the sun at noonday.
The glory of God will shine forever and ever from the Saviour's countenance, and the redeemed will live in His presence through ceaseless and everlasting ages. Through those ages their minds and tongues will be occupied with the themes and mysteries of redemption. Heaven's happiness is seeing God, and the greatest joy of the sinner saved by Christ's grace is to look upon God's face and know Him as Father. That face-to-face sight brings clear knowledge, passing from knowing in part now to knowing fully even as they are known, and marks their belonging to Him.
Only those who choose to behold that face in this world will delight in His glorified face. Those who turned away from beholding it to look upon evil and unite with sinners, who despised His counsel and would have none of His reproof, will not want to see it then but will turn from it with pain. In that redeemed state the raised saints will come forth to glorious companionship with heavenly angels and will meet loved ones and recognize their faces. Christlikeness does not destroy their image but transforms it into His glorious image, so every saint joined by family relationship here will know each other there, including meeting fellow believers again around the throne of God. This belongs to the heavenly state in which God's mysteries are unfolded and what is now difficult to understand is made clear, where the Bible will be understood in a higher, broader, and clearer sense than now.
Name in Foreheads
The name written in the foreheads is the sign that the redeemed belong to God in the renewed world and in His city. It marks their close relationship to Him and their place among His people in the heavenly city, where they see Him face to face. Their faces reflect the divine image and they know Him, while He openly acknowledges them as His sons and daughters. The name set upon them declares that ownership, and with the added promise that there is no night and they reign forever, it fixes their home in the holy city.
That seal is placed because in this life they did not claim ownership of themselves but gave their minds to God. Having served Him with intellect and heart, with heart and intellect consecrated to Him, they are fitted for Him now to place His name upon them. They do not enter heaven as beggars seeking a place, but are received as His children to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world and to enter into the joy of their Lord. The crown of immortality is then placed on the brow of the overcomers, who cast their crowns at the feet of Jesus and with golden harps fill heaven with songs of praise to the Lamb.
Seeing His face and bearing His name belong to those whose hearts first bear God's imprint and whose characters reflect Christ. That reward is for those who form character after the divine likeness and so enter the holy city to see His face in eternal life. Cherishing evil passions and becoming enraged at reproof are incompatible with it, and earthly joys cannot satisfy in place of God's pure favor.
God's name reveals His character as merciful, gracious, patient, and abundant in goodness and truth, which is His glory and moral image. Those who see His face must reflect that character and be like Him in character. Christ took human nature to walk with humanity so that people could receive the glory given to Him, and even the poorest may receive it by denying self, lifting the cross, and coming after Him. No one can share in the regeneration and see His face without following Him now in transformation of the entire being, a future decided in the hours of probation by earnest, refined piety and unreserved self-sacrifice that completes a person in the similitude of Christ's image.
The name in the forehead marks God as their Sovereign. They are therefore to stand as a separate, peculiar people, keeping free from politics and making their allegiance to God clear.
Heirs of the Promise
The promise belongs to those who receive Christ and stay loyal to God in this life, to whom power is given to become sons of God. Because Christ took glorified humanity into the heavenly courts, God will at last receive them as His own children to dwell with Him forever. The happiness of heaven is seeing God, and the greatest joy of the sinner saved by grace is to look upon God's face and know Him as Father. What is now known only in part will then be known fully, even as they are known.
They are God's denominated people, who on earth witnessed to loyalty by keeping the commandments of God and the faith and testimony of Jesus Christ and by owning the crucified One as Saviour. They are seen where there is no more curse and the throne of God and of the Lamb stands, with His servants serving Him, seeing His face and bearing His name in their foreheads. They are Christ's chosen people, enjoying His kingdom of grace on earth and sharing His kingdom of glory in heaven. As such they are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, partakers of His divine nature and one with Him.
They are the overcomers who do God's Word and remain faithful through crosses borne, losses sustained, persecution suffered, and even loss of temporal life and death. Seeing God's face and bearing His name in their foreheads is their ample recompense, a life that lasts forever. Those whom Christ has forgiven most love Him most and will stand nearest His throne in the final day. They do not enter heaven as beggars seeking a place, but are received as children to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world and to enter into their Lord's joy.
The crown of immortality and of life is placed on the brow of the overcomers, who cast their crowns at Jesus' feet and with golden harps fill heaven with songs of praise to the Lamb. That hope is joined to living in obedience to God's commandments, walking in the light as Christ is in the light, and continuing faithfully without discouragement while doing duty. The crown of life is for those who believe the message of truth and trust God's sustaining grace, each accountable for faithfully warning others rather than for the choices others make. His name will be in the foreheads of all who are pure and holy and now submit to God's will.
This stands in contrast to those who depart from the requirements, set up their own standards of duty to suit different minds, exalt self and make the will of men supreme, and put themselves in controversy with God, for God alone fills heaven and there is no place there for gods. Those who violate principles of heavenly origin, disregard plain injunctions, disrespect the rules of family government, and determinedly do the opposite of what He told them cannot see His face. This present world of test and trial is the lower apartment where fitness for heaven is proved, and only those who here live the Christ life will see His face. For they would create in heaven the same disturbance they created below and stir up a second rebellion, and a woman continuing in a dishonoring course without Christ's righteousness and with speech dishonoring God will never see His face.
Children are to be fitted by discipline for the higher life, where they will live in God's presence and shine forever. Their character is to be shaped so they may bless others in this life and be ready for that future life. The young who are helped and led away from temptation will be among those whose faces reflect God's glory. That promised life of the good and holy is lived among the angels, with the tree of life and crowns of gold.
Restoration and Final Reward
The verse is the final promise of redemption, in which the redeemed see God face to face and bear His name, showing that His image is restored in them and bringing to its culmination the Bible's theme of humanity's restoration and uplifting through God's saving power. It belongs to Paradise restored and Eden restored as the home the redeemed receive a right to, reached only by the path of obedience. That Paradise was lost through sin, and it may be regained through obedience to God's law, repentance for transgression, and faith in Jesus Christ as the only Redeemer whose merits avail for sinful humanity.
That right is kept only by leaving self-pleasing and the rebel's side, giving the whole soul to God in repentance for time and talents given to the enemy, choosing good and refusing evil, and seeking the Lord at once while He may be found. Choosing the disobedience by which Adam and Eve lost their Eden home forfeits the right to the Eden restored. The redeemed receive an eternity of bliss in the higher school where education continues under Christ's personal instruction as He opens the meaning of His Word and speaks the gospel and the story of redemption. Christ will personally teach them, and they will hear from His lips.
Coming into face-to-face fellowship and bearing His name means coming into possession of everlasting life and everlasting happiness, living forever and ever and reigning forever and ever in light the Lord God Himself gives, with no night and no need of candle or sun. There will be no more trials, griefs, or temptations, but fullness of joy in His presence and pleasures forevermore at His right hand, and those who see His face will go out no more forever. Seeing His face and resting in His kingdom is part of eternal blessedness. Overcoming temptation through the divine nature Christ gives makes this hope possible and is linked with sharing Christ's throne.
This will be fulfilled for those who walk in Christ's way, lay hold of the power and richest treasures in His Word, and take all Scripture as guide, and God's mighty blessing will surely come upon them in life everlasting. It is one of the beauties of the world made free of the curse, in which God's servants serve Him where His throne is present. It is the glory awaiting those who overcome and the reward of the faithful in the New Jerusalem, connected with right to the tree of life and entrance through the gates into the city for commandment keepers.
Preparation and Present Obedience
Seeing His face hereafter requires urgent preparation now, with no slothfulness or delay. Eyes must be kept fixed on God while losing sight of the things of this world, the veil of sympathy with worldly customs and practices that hides the Lord's glory must be removed, and life must become Christlike here with Christ known as a present personal Saviour. Everything earthly that interposes between the soul and God must be severed as decisively as cutting off the right hand or plucking out the right eye, and drawing nigh to God brings His drawing nigh with encouragement and strength for the conflict. Entering that hope requires thorough conversion of habits, choices, and character, including overcoming covetousness and ceasing to serve personal interests. The test of those who will be saints in heaven is to love God with whole heart, mind, and strength and neighbor as self, living by the principles of God's law.
The promise belongs to those who now look to Jesus, follow His steps, give themselves to be molded and fashioned by Him, and consecrate life to God's service in preparation for the kingdom, unto one day walking the golden streets and meeting face to face the One who laid aside royal garments and kingly crown, veiled Himself in humanity, and bore human sins to lift sinners and reveal His glory and majesty, then living with Him through ceaseless ages. That future direct vision is given only to those who receive God's presence in the heart in this present life, a possession worth more than all the world. Only those who here live the Christ life will see His face, for this world of test and trial is the lower apartment where fitness for heaven is proved, and those who violate heavenly principles, disregard plain injunctions, disrespect family government, and determinedly do the opposite of what He commanded would create the same disturbance above and stir a second rebellion. The redeemed, glorified by imitating Christ's life and character, will be able to see God's face and bear His name in their foreheads. No one can share in the regeneration without following Him now in transformation of the entire being, a destiny decided in probation by earnest refined piety and unreserved self-sacrifice completing the person in Christ's similitude, even the poorest receiving His glory by denying self, lifting the cross, and coming after Him.
Cooperation with God as He works in the heart to will and do His pleasure is required, working out salvation with fear and trembling, submitting to His will, making daily improvement in family life, and bringing Christlike virtues into character. Seeing His face then requires becoming accustomed to beholding Him with the eye of faith here, by making Christ's words and character often the subject of thought and conversation and by devoting time each day to prayerful meditation upon sacred themes, with earnest effort to change habits of thought long fixed only on earthly things seen and heard. A genuine living experience in the things of God is necessary, since half-hearted religion and unbelief leave one unprepared, though the privilege of receiving all heaven's resources through Christ makes such experience possible. A deeper work of grace in mind and heart with true Christian charity is indispensable. That deeper grace is gained by leaving the crowded mass of indigestible other reading, coming to the pure Word, letting the mind be impressed by it, praying more, and eating the words of life. The Bible supplies the education needed to reach that world, while worldly wisdom and book learning cannot give a sure foundation for eternity.
This world is the lower preparatory school where lessons must be learned for admission to the higher school where education continues under Christ's personal instruction as He opens the meaning of His Word and tells from His lips the story of redemption. Only a few brief years of earnest determined service remain in this very short life compared to eternity, and the few remaining days of probation must be used whole-souled in seeking life, not trifled away in wasted months and years, beginning service now and refusing sin, negligence, and recklessness about eternal interests, because the privilege of seeing Christ cannot be afforded to be missed. Reaching a higher and still higher standard and pleading for sanctification by His Spirit belongs to this striving, for striving to be an overcomer is worth it. The hope is joined to living in obedience to the commandments, walking in the light as Christ is in the light, and continuing faithfully without discouragement, with the crown of life to those who believe the truth and trust sustaining grace while doing duty, each accountable for faithfully warning others rather than for others' choices. Gaining heaven, well worth striving for, calls for preparation now and helping others seek it together, and workers are to give themselves wholly to service and press toward the goal despite hardship and worldly attractions, since the hope is worth every effort and sacrifice. The city of God where servants see His face and bear His name is the promised heavenly life for which to prepare and help others prepare.
Meeting Jesus in peace in that face-to-face fellowship requires preparation of soul, courage in the Lord, bringing troubles and burdens to God who knows how to bear them instead of carrying them, refusing time-wasting controversy, and living in close communion to catch light shining from His face. Reaching the joy of seeing His face and going out no more forever means now being partakers of divine nature, knowing angels are right around so sin need not overcome, sending petitions to the throne in temptation and laying hold of divine power in faith until all are glorified together. The promise is a source of comfort, showing belonging to Him, and gives ground for praise that makes present burdens easier to bear cheerfully. Those who love Him, grow by reflecting His character, receive revealed teachings, do the Word's duties, show unity with Christ, and overcome by the Lamb's blood and testimony look forward with confidence and rejoice in the light of His countenance and presence. Those faithful and steadfast through suffering will see the King in His beauty face to face with His name in their foreheads, calling for increasing faith and courage to endure to the end, giving courage and cheer while awaiting rest in readiness for the Master's call.
This hope of seeing Christ and bearing His name is to be dwelt upon in preaching to impart light and joy to others, and it gives reason to strive for eternal life with faces lit by His glory. The verse with its context shows a heaven to be won that is well worth striving for, proving the overcomer's striving worth it unto everlasting life and happiness, living and reigning forever in light the Lord God gives with no night, no need of candle or sun, and no more trials, griefs, or temptations. The faithful who keep requirements, follow Christ, and obey will enter through the gates with right to the tree of life and ever be in Jesus' presence, serving Him, receiving light from Him, and reigning forever with God giving light and no night. The last chapters press work long neglected to be done at once, requiring thorough humbling of soul before God, especially by those in responsibility, with careful reading and immediate obedience.