You'll see, that's what we're going to be like. We are going to be like Jesus is now. So when you read... Well, I don't want to jump ahead. I just put that as kind of an appetizer before we get in there. But we're going to be filled with and surrounded by His glory. We're going to live in a world where there's no need of the sun. And the whole place is going to just glow. And that includes you. You see, somebody, I think I told you one time, I was walking in, I was going to preach this church. It was about 150 people, and they were crammed in. It was pretty tight. And I was there, but I was outside in the fellowship hall, talking to the pastor. Then when I walked into places packed, they all turned around and looked at me. I don't know why, some people had talked about me, I guess because I was about, I think I was 21, maybe 22. And so it was kind of exciting for these people, this young preacher coming in. It's just weird. And so I go walking in there and there's just always those people that have to try to outdo the other guy, you know. And this woman comes up to me and she says, you're the preacher. I said, yeah, I'm the preacher tonight. I knew when you walked through the room, when you stepped in that door, I saw a glow. And I said, well, I've got that receding hairline and there's kind of a shine that comes off from the lights. I didn't blow that stuff down. I don't want to hear that. I'm not going to play into that. She just looked at me, and I just walked on. I don't believe my press. Whatever press I get, good or bad, I don't believe it. But later I thought, you know, that was baloney. But we're all going to look at each other and see a glow when we're with the Lord. Like Moses. Like Moses. And that's one of several that I'm not going to have time to get to tonight. But I want to dive into seven amazing truths about obtaining the glory of Jesus, what that means. First of all, we will be glorified. Now some of these things you're all going to be familiar with. We will be glorified. We talk about the process of sanctification. Initial sanctification is when you're saved. Then you go through the lifelong process of sanctification. None of you, nor I, have arrived or will arrive until we reach the final step, and that's at death or the rapture, when we're glorified. Now, if you die before the rapture, you'll be in a glorified soul body. Then when you come back with Jesus, then the rapture takes place, your body will come up and be glorified, and you'll put it on like a robe. And then those who live and remain will be caught up together with you. And that's how the rapture is going to go down. That's when your body will be glorified. What? That's how the rapture goes down because we go up. So we will actually be transfigured. How many of you remember the story of Jesus being transfigured? That's what's going to happen to us. and will be transfigured into his likeness, his glory. Look at Philippians chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3, verses 20 and 21. I'll read 20 while you turn there. For our conversation is in heaven. That means that's where our heart should be. We have to live here, we have to go through life and do all these things, and we should love serving the Lord here, but our heart is in heaven. From whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now read 21 with me. who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. You know, we shower and we shave and we try to have haircuts and things like that, and we wear nice clothes and everything. We're fighting a losing battle. And at some point, your body is just gonna die. And then you're just gonna go into a grave. That's it. Don't you love this positive thinking? I mean, it's just, yeah. But you know what? Think of it, that has spared me. Now, I'm not saying, I'm a little, I admit, I know I'm a little chubby. And man, when we met, she can tell you, I wasn't chubby then. I was in great shape, but I got sick, and this and that, being married doesn't, Yeah, she's a good cook. And we live five miles away from her Dutchman. But some of us will struggle with weight our whole lives and all that. But we do the best we can to try to maintain our health, because diabetes is a terrible way to die. But you can drop dead with a heart attack or stroke or whatever if you don't take care of yourself. So you don't want to do that. And the Bible says that we should treat our bodies like the temple of God. We should treat them with respect. So all that's true. But Paul himself referred to our bodies as that body of death. And so don't put all your effort into this bodily exercise, profiteth. Doesn't profit at all. But compared to the eternal glory, that's where you should be really putting your efforts. your attention. And look what he says. Those aren't my words. He says in verse 21, who shall change our vile body? That's how God views it. And we're supposed to conform our mind to what the Bible says. But most people think they're beautiful. They just love their bodies. They sit around looking at themselves in the mirror. They want the attention. They want people looking at them, you know? God says it's a vile body. What is it going to be fashioned like? Unto His glorious body. That is a wonderful promise. Psalm 80 verse 1. Give ear, O shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock, thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. You think of the Ark of the Covenant, on top of the Ark was the mercy seat, the seat and throne of God, and it literally shone. There was a shine from the, not the Shekinah glory, that's pagan. The Bible never calls it that, that's a pagan thing. This was the glory of God, don't give it to Shekinah, it's the glory of God. And that's what He looks like in His glory, and that's what we're going to look like when we put on His glory. Secondly, we will be in His image. Now, it is as it sounds. If you make an image of something, it looks just like the real thing, right? We'll be like carbon copies of Jesus. I think that's a great way to put it. I've heard that referred to before. Why is that? How many of you are old enough to have done carbon copying? Yeah. Some of you just don't know what you're missing. But you would type something, and you'd take that top page, which was the original that you typed, and you'd put it here, and then you'd take the carbon and rip it off and throw it in the garbage. And then under that would be another sheet where the carbon had put a copy. It was a little smudged, not quite as clear, but it was an exact duplicate. Now, that's kind of how we are going to be when we are like him, because you'll never be eternal. Because you had a beginning. You'll never be omniscient. God is. So there's many ways in which we will still fall short of being Jesus. But we will sure look like His image. Isn't that something to think about? Look at Romans 8. Romans 8, 28 through 30. Romans 8 is a great chapter. So much in here you go into, but Romans 8, 28 is the well-known, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called, according to His purpose. Now look what it says in verse 29. Read that. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And it goes on to say, moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called, and whom He called, them He also justified, and whom He justified, them He also glorified. Talking in past tense, why? Because everything's past tense to God. God knows the beginning from the ending, and when He says something, it's as good as done. So if you're saved, you're as good as glorified already. that we're just waiting for the, you know, contract to kick in. But it says right there, we're predestinated. It doesn't say anything about being predestinated to be saved. We talked about that last week. But it says what? We are predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son. That means what it says. Your destiny is what that's talking about. To be in His image. I love this, Psalm 67, God be merciful unto us and bless us and cause his face to shine upon us. One day Jesus is gonna be standing in front of you and the shine from his glory is gonna shine on you. I think you'll feel it, it'll be so thick in his presence. And one clarification, we will never be God or Jesus. The Mormons are a false cult who teach that. And the whole New Age movement teaches that. We're never going to be Jesus or be God, but we will be in His image. It's an important clarification there. Thirdly, we will be like Him. We'll be His image. But more than that, I will never get under your skin again. I will never offend you again. If I haven't offended you yet, you haven't been here long enough. I don't do it on purpose, I'm just human. And most of you have done something that I found offensive, but I'm just so forgiving that I don't say anything about it. That's it, that's all. But, hey, that's how we, what do you think the key to our marriage? Forgiveness. I mean, Jenny's always hurting my feelings. She hurt my feelings today. And then she apologizes. I'm like, I know you don't mean it. You're just wicked. I just can't. We all have a sinful nature, and it comes out. Don't ever forget that person next to you has a sinful nature. Because if you do, you start thinking they're perfect. Then when they let you down, you're really going to be hurt. And Jenny knows I'm, you know. I'm just trying to imagine you I once had hair like Darren. I did. I already said that. Look at 1 John 3, 2. 1 John 3, 2. Way back there, closer to Revelation. 1 John, this is another great memory verse. Jenny and I work on it. We've still got a long way to go. But it's one thing you'll find as you get older, too. It's harder to memorize. Start when you're young. I did, but then I kind of let up on my fervents and started forgetting them. But 1 John 3, 2, read that with me. 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. You got to be like Him to see Him, or you would just incinerate. But once you're glorified, you're like Him, and now you can stand in His presence and just bask in His glory. I took the kids to the lake. I'm trying to think which one it was. It might have just been Allen Creek. They were out there, and it was hardly anybody around. They're out there swimming, carrying on. And I was just laying out there. I wasn't really trying to tan or anything, but it was hot. So I'm laying there. I didn't have a shirt on, something you never want to see in this life. But I'm laying there, and that sun is coming down on me. I just feel it from head to toe. First thought was, I probably ought to put some sunscreen on. Second thing I thought, that's the created sun. Imagine being in the presence of the sun, the creator, S-O-N. I'd never thought about that before. But, you know, you really start to think about it. All the effects that you see of, like, the sun, if you look at it, you can go blind, you know, that kind of thing. Who created what we call radioactive substances? God. You go down to the A plant in Piketon without a suit on and you go into certain areas, it'll kill you. That's nothing compared to the power of God. And that's really, I believe, how you ought to think of it. And so we will be like Him. Therefore, we can be in His presence. All those lost people, when they stand at the great white throne. People have asked what I think it's going to be like. And I think one of the things is none of them are going to dare look at God. I think they're going to be face down hiding as best they can. Be ashamed and can't stand his presence. See, as a saved person, we go to heaven, we're going to love his presence. We're going to love being in his presence. Unsaved, you won't be able to stand it. And in a spiritual sense, it's similar to being in the sun without protection. Oh, I'm referred to the transfiguration. Look what it says here, Matthew 17, 2, and was transfigured before them. Talk about Jesus. And his face did shine as the sun. S-U-N. And his raiment was white as the light. I can't make you, but I hope you're thinking about what we're reading tonight, and you're thinking about Jesus, and you're thinking about what it's saying about him. And that's what he's like now. His face will shine. His raiment will be white as the light. If he showed up right now, we would all drop to our faces down the ground and hide. I mean, it'd just be, and I think it would be like Peter, James, and John. I think he would, if he did show up, he would give us the ability to not quake in fear. But you remember Isaiah? You know, he had to lift Isaiah up. and help him. John, the same way in the book of Revelation, if it wasn't for God giving him the ability, they would just be shaken with fear. So whatever Jesus is like, the more you read the Bible, you'll learn more about that. We will be like that. People ask me, what do you think we're going to be like? You know, it is on the one hand, it's hard to explain, but just go look at what Jesus is like right now, and that's what you'll be like. Daniel 2, remember this? 1222. It's Daniel 1222. He revealeth the deep and secret things. He knoweth what is in the darkness. And look at that. And the light dwelleth with him. I just can't wait to see that. Fourthly, we will live forever in perfect health. Isn't that a wonderful thought? Oh, it is 12. I thought it was 12. I didn't have a typo. It was Daniel 2.22. No more corruption. When you read that in the Bible, that means no more sickness or death. What is illness? What is sickness? What is cancer? Your body's corrupt. All because of sin. By sin came death, and death passed upon all men for all of sin. But look over at 1 Corinthians 15. First Corinthians 15 is known as the resurrection chapter. Begins in the first four verses with the gospel. You come down toward the end of the chapter in verse 42. We're going to read a few verses here. I'm going to start while you're turning there. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption. It is raised in incorruption. Verse 43, it is sown in dishonor. It is raised in what? Glory. Are you there? It is sown in weakness. It is raised in power. Look at 44. It is sown a natural body. It is raised a... There is a natural body. You're in it right now. And there is a spiritual body coming soon. Verse 45. And so it is written, the first Adam was made a living soul. The last Adam, that's referring to Jesus, was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit, that was not first, which is spiritual, but that which is natural, and afterward, that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy. That's really what Adam refers to, the name Adam. The second man is, read that, the Lord from heaven. That's one of the most important passages of the deity of Jesus Christ. He is the Lord from heaven. And verse 48, as is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy. And as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. Now, verses 49 through 57, I wanna read the rest of that, read the odd with me, so jump in at 49. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall 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 shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. So, no more corruption. No more sickness. I'm not going to ask you to say it out loud, but what chronic illnesses do you have? What diseases have you been fighting? What do you take medications for? Whatever, it's all going to be gone. No big pharma in heaven. Isaiah 60 verse 1, Arise, shine, for thy light is come. There is a spiritual sense to this, yes, but I believe many of these texts you need to understand the double application, and they have a literal, tangible sense as well. This is talking about His second coming. Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Amen. Fifthly, we will pass through walls, solid objects. Now I've said before, I think in the rapture, if we were to be raptured right now, let's see, two, four, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, about 15 holes in the ceiling. Why? Because when we see the resurrection in Matthew, it says that the graves were opened. They didn't come out of them like through them, you know, they busted out. They saw the graves wide open. Now, as we reach his presence, we will have then that glorified body and we'll be able to pass through solid objects. So this glorified dimension is unknown to science, so don't look it up in a science textbook. Not like Star Trek. This is better than Beam Me Up. Look at Luke Chapter 24. 24 verses 30 through 43, I'll start anyway, turn there. And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them, he took bread and blessed it and break it and gave to them. And their eyes were opened and they knew him. And what's it say, verse 31? And he vanished out of their sight. Just like that. Poof. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures? And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking bread. Read 36 and 37. And thus they spake, and as they thus spake, I'm sorry, read it again. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and saith unto them, Peace unto you. Right there, he just, boom, he's there. Boom, he's gone, boom, he's back. Well, if that's what it means to be like Jesus, then you're going to do that. And I'm not going to read the rest of that. Let's look at it real quick. But they were terrified and frightened and supposed that they'd seen a spirit. Well it's more than just a spirit. It's not just a spirit. It's not like a ghost. because he is able to actually then touch things. And he's going to, what we'll see here, he's going to eat. Verse 38, and he said unto them, Why are you troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me. Isn't that wild? Some people have tried to predict, picture this as him being like a ghost. No, he's not a ghost. He says, touch me, handle me. And he says, behold, my hands and my feet, that it is I myself, handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy and wandered, he said unto them, have ye here any meat? This is very important theologically that this is in here. It says, And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish and of a honeycomb, and he took it and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning me. Then open ye their understanding, that they might understand the scripture. And then he goes on to say, and said unto them, thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. I went way past where I was going to, but I want you to see that. We will eat meat. The glorified Christ is not a vegetarian. And we won't have to worry about fatty liver or any of those things. And Revelation 21, 23, and the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamb is the light thereof. That's just giving you a glimpse of your future home, and you will be as he is. So, six, we got two more points real quick. We will travel at the speed of thought. Faster than the speed of light. We will not need wormholes. And what you're reading here isn't science fiction. Acts 1, just a few pages from where we're at in Luke. Acts chapter 1, verses 9 through 11. Read this a few weeks ago on Sunday. And when he had spoken these things while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, verse 11, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven. So he didn't go to India. That's what some people claim. I actually teach that, New Age Movement and all that. It says right there, he went into heaven. So shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Now, several months later, look at Acts chapter 7. Now, pay attention to this important stuff here. Acts chapter 7, verses 54 through 56. He's gone up to heaven, right? And it confirms here these In heaven, that fast. 54 through 56, when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart and they gnashed him on him with their teeth. That's Stephen. And now Stephen's, we're looking at Stephen right before he dies. Read 55 with me. But he being full of, wait a minute. Everybody awake? All right, verse 55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Read 56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens open and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. So at least by chapter 8, he's in heaven. Now, how many of you know how long that would take, traveling at the speed of light? I've told a few of this story, I think, recently, but this one stumped Carl Sagan and Bishop Spong. Spong was an apostate Episcopalian who was telling people there was no such thing as heaven or hell, and he was just an atheist with a clerical robe on, really. So for that reason, him and Carl Sagan got along real good. Carl Sagan shows up at one of his events, and he yells across the way, and Bishop Spong says, yeah, go on. Carl Sagan walks up to him and says, Have you ever thought about the ascension of Jesus? Yes, I have, but what do you mean? Well, traveling at the speed of light, 2,000 years later, Jesus still isn't even outside of the Milky Way. And he really thought he was disproving the Bible, because he was limiting the Creator to the creation. He was limiting Jesus to traveling the fastest we know is the speed of light, 186,000 miles per second. But God isn't limited to that. He's the one who established it. Sadly, Carl's probably thinking about it right now. Yeah, but bodily though, he did have to travel. And so real quick, go to number seven. This is my favorite part. We will emit light. You're actually going to be, I think the Bible is clear about it, being children of light. Everybody just thinks that just means, well, you're saved. On every level, not just spiritual or moral, but tangible, you are going to actually be a child of light. Look at Daniel 12. That's why I thought that was Daniel 12 back there, because I knew I had a Daniel 12 in here. Daniel chapter 12. It's our last one. Stay awake. Please, you can do it. Daniel 12, two and three. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life. and some to shame and everlasting contempt, read three with me. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. Now, I could make a case all over the place, but I think that verse right there just settles it. If that's you, the wise are those who turn to God, turn to Christ, and are saved. You will shine as the brightness of the firmament, You'll turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. I just love that. So listen closely. I'm just running a few references as we close. What will be like. John 12, 36, while you have light, believe in the light that you may be the children of light. 1 John 1, 5, this then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. 2 Peter 1.19, we have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well, that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and listen, and the day star arise in your hearts. You already have His Spirit in you. In a glorified sense then, you're going to actually exude like a star. That's what Daniel 12.3, that's what it says. 2 Corinthians 4, 6, For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Psalm 104, 2. This is talking about Jesus. Who covereth thyself with light as with a garment. You're going to be like that. 1 Timothy 6.16, "...who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto." That's why you got to be saved and glorified. "...whom no man hath seen nor can see, to whom be honor and power and everlasting amen." Colossians 1.12, "...giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." Ephesians 5.8, for ye were sometimes in darkness. I added the word in. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. You're supposed to walk now knowing that one day you're literally going to be children of light. And this is the world that we live in. This is our closer. Revelation 21. If you're too tired to turn there, I'll read it by myself. Revelation 21 verses 23 through 26. This is your future if you're saved. This is what you're missing. You're going to miss out on if you're not. Verse 23 through 26, read the even with me. I'll start 23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there, and they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into..." You know why there's not going to be any night? Because your light won't turn off. That's right. Jesus is the light. His light won't turn off. You and me and everybody in this room who's saved, you're going to exude and emit light permanently. You can't turn it off. And so the whole place is just going to shine. Can't imagine this? No one can. We can only believe it, amen? But as it is written, I have not seen nor heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2, 9. I had to cut out so many scriptures to get it in, even just went five minutes over. Father, we thank you, Lord, for all that we learned, all we read tonight, and that there's so much more. We thank you for saving us and then telling us our future and giving us all this information about our future. But in doing so, actually, you're telling us about Jesus, telling us about who he is and what he is, what he is like even now, and what then we will be like. And all we can do is stand in awe and sing your praises. and look forward to that day that we will see your face shine. We thank you in Jesus name, amen.