Christian Maturity (2) - David Eells - UBBS 1.10.2023

Christian Maturity (2) 

(audio)   

David Eells 1/10/24 

I’m going to share with you about manifesting our Sun (Son) Glory. We’re all sons of God through faith, and faith is accounted as righteousness until righteousness is manifested. 

(Gal.3:26) For ye are all sons of God through faith, in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. (28) There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ Jesus. 

We begin our life as children, who are sons by faith, and the Bible says that we come into the manifestation of sonship. (Pro.29:21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last.  

(Gal.4:6) And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7) So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Again, this is speaking that we are sons of God through faith, which “calleth the things that are not, as though they were” (Rom.4:17). God sent the Spirit of His Son into us in order to bring us to this adoption of sons.  

The word “adoption” used here is not adoption of children. It is huiothesia and it means “son placing.” So, according to the term “adoption,” we don’t adopt children; we adopt sons. Beloved, now are we children (teknon) of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be (1Jn.3:2). It should never be translated “son” because the word teknon is “children.” We haven’t yet come to the place that God calls us “the manifest sons.”

Notice that God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, in order to bring us to adoption. Now, what is the Spirit of the Son? Let me point something out to you. (Rom.8:9) But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Two Spirits are mentioned here: the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. He even puts a “but” in there, so that we will know that he’s talking about two different things.  

Not everyone has the Spirit of God, but everyone who is born-again has the Spirit of Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit” (Joh.6:63). These words came out of Him and were creating His Spirit in His disciples. And He told them, Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you (Joh.15:3). What did that mean? It meant they had a new spirit because Jesus spoke those words into them and His Spirit was recreated in them. The Spirit of Christ is the born-again Spirit. This is the Spirit of the Son which is to bring us to adoption, the adoption of sons.  

The Spirit of Christ is the first thing that you receive. Next you need the Soul of Christ and then, ultimately, a body like unto His Body. A born-again spirit, a born-again soul and a born-again body are the three stages of this adoption. Notice the warning: (Rom.8:9) … But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10) And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.  

(11) But (here it is again; he’s switching back) if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Paul is talking about receiving the Holy Spirit. When you get born-again, you don’t necessarily receive the Holy Spirit. Sometimes that happens afterwards. But you do get the Spirit of Christ because you believe the Word of God and you accept that He died for you and gave you His life.  

So, these are the two steps that every Christian ought to go through – receiving the Spirit of Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit. That was commanded but today most Christians don’t do that. You need the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit will empower you to walk in the steps of Jesus. As Jesus was both human and divine, He had a born-again Spirit and you need a born-again human spirit. You need that for the communication and for the access to the Holy Spirit.  

He comes to dwell in your Holy of Holies, which is your born-again spirit. He comes to rule in your Holy of Holies. So, you who are born-again need to invite the Holy Spirit to come with all the signs and wonders that the Bible talks about. That’s part of it. (Act.1:8) But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  

(Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. God gives us first the Spirit of Christ and then the Holy Spirit, so we can hear His voice and follow Him “withersoever he goeth.” 

(15) For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption (huiothesia, meaning “son placing”)…. We’re coming to that place. God manifests His perfection in us – spirit, then soul and then, ultimately, if you have borne fruit in the soul, you will receive a new body like unto His body. (15) … Whereby we cry, Abba, Father (adoption, son placing). (16) The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.  

So, even after you have the Spirit of adoption which, according to Galatians chapter four, is the Spirit of His Son, Jesus Christ, you are a son of God by faith. And since faith is accounted as righteousness, we receive the end from the beginning, we call the things that be not as though they were because “by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb.10:14). By accepting this, we are walking from the place of being children of God to the place of being sons of God.  

If you want to know what a son of God is, you have to look at Jesus. That’s what a son of God is – “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” So Christ is coming to live in us – first spirit, then soul, which is your nature, your character and so forth; and then, ultimately, you will have a body like His Body! (Rom.8:16) The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God. (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him,] that we may be also glorified with [him]. Now, if we’re joint-heirs with Christ of His glory, which we are, it’s another way of talking about perfection. Glory is just another way of saying, “Christ in you.” The glory is the “shining forth from you” of the life of Christ, “that we may be also glorified with [him].”  

We’re joint-heirs with Christ, having received the Spirit of adoption and, although we’re manifestly children, we are seeking this glory of God to come and dwell in us. But it says, “If so be that we suffer with him.” See, part of this is knowledge because you have to exercise faith and part of this is cooperation, in the giving up of our old life, in order to gain our new life. Both of these are necessary for sonship. Both of these are necessary to have the glory of God in you.  

(2Co.4:16) Wherefore we faint not: but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. So as the carnal man is dying off, we manifest our death, burial and resurrection and the spiritual man is coming to life. (17) For our light affliction (notice he calls it a “light affliction”), which is for the moment (meaning this very short time that we have to go through to be perfected), worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory. (18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen…. This means we call the things that be not as though they were. That’s what God has taught us to do and that’s what faith is. You claim to be a son of God and you know now that a son of God is Jesus Christ. (18) … For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  

We have to hold fast to and believe and see the things that are not, as though they were. As we’re doing this, while we’re walking by faith and giving up our life, this is working “for us more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.” Paul says, And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him,] that we may be also glorified with [him] (Rom.8:17). The manifestation of our sonship is being “glorified with [him]” as we suffer the death of self.

God’s people are glorified in this life. (18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. The suffering is not even comparable to the new life that we receive, this new glory that we receive by going through this suffering. However, we don’t enter into this new life with glory. (Rom.3:23) For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; (24) being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) whom God set forth [to be] a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God.  

So we don’t start into this with the glory of God. We accept it by faith and we’re justified freely because of that faith and the life of Jesus that was given to us at the cross. We were crucified with Him and we were given His life. There was an exchange made. Our old life was put upon that cross and He gave us His life.  

(Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. We accept that by faith. Now God says that faith is accounted as righteousness, so we are imputed as sons of God through our faith. If you continue to walk by faith, you’re always going to receive the manifestation of what you’re believing. He’s going to manifest His Son in you.  

This is a progressive thing. You don’t get anything instantaneously in the Kingdom, except by faith. By faith you accept everything as instantaneous. (Heb.10:14) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. He perfected us at the cross. We accept the whole, free gift of sonship, of the life of God, of the purity, of the holiness, of the total redemption that He has given to us.  

Let’s look at these verses again: (Rom.8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. Now, I know some people would like to put that way off in the bye-and-bye so they can live any way they want to live down here, but if you’re not manifesting fruit, Jesus said that you aren’t going to get there.  

What is fruit? Jesus Christ. It’s also His glory manifested in you. The whole “creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God” down here, not just up in heaven. Down here is where we need the glory of God. Jesus walked in the glory of God and when He came, “the people that sat in darkness Saw a great light” (Mat.4:16). When Jesus came, He set the captives free, He opened the prison to them that were bound, He healed the sick, He cast out demons and on and on. He was the body of Christ. He left in order to come back in the corporate body of Christ, so He could touch the whole world. The glory of God is needed now and it’s needed here. This is what this passage is talking about. The manifestation, the “revealing of the sons of God” has to do with manifesting sonship down here, in spirit and in soul with a physical body that is no longer under the curse.  

We know that Jesus’ body was the Son of Man, but the One Who dwelt in that body was the Son of God. (Rom.1:3) Concerning His Son who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, (4) who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness. So we see that Jesus was made “in all things … like unto his brethren” (Heb.2:17), and the whole of creation is waiting because the creation itself fell under the curse when man fell under the curse. Only when man comes out from under the curse is the creation delivered.  

When Jesus came, He was the One Who lived out from under the curse and He set the creation free all around Him. (Rom.8:20) For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it…. God subjected us to vanity. This is how sons are created, by being subject to vanity and yet choosing the good and understanding grace, because unless you’ve been a sinner, you can’t understand grace. Even the angels don’t understand grace. They desire to look into these things (1 Peter 1:12).  

We’re fallen and we appreciate God very much because we’ve been fallen. We appreciate that He’s lifting us up and setting our feet on the Rock. We appreciate it; we love Him. (Luk.7:40) And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. (41) A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. (42) When they had not [wherewith] to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most? (43) Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.  

Sinners appreciate God. They love God. So there was a reason for the creation to be subject to vanity. Some people may not believe that. But Christ was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Why would we have needed a sacrifice slain from the foundation of the world before Adam sinned? Stop and think about that.  

Creation was subject to vanity for a purpose: (Rom.8:21) That the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. This is the plan: Fallen man gets saved and appreciates it so much that we love God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for [our] adoption (that is, “son-placing”), [to wit,] the redemption of our body. We’re waiting for the manifestation of our adoption.  

This manifestation is not going to be complete until you are totally God’s possession – spirit, soul and body? But there is a way that it’s complete while you’re on the earth and that is in spirit and soul. The ultimate fulfillment, of course, is the body, as he goes on to say, “[to wit,] the redemption of our body.” That’s the fullness of adoption. Adoption of the body is in two stages. First for those who have manifested Jesus in spirit and soul their physical body is not under the curse and the second stage is when they receive their spiritual body when their work on earth is done. (24) For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? (25) But if we hope for that which we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for it.  

We do not see the manifestation of sonship, but we do hope, we do wait for it and we do walk by faith for it. “Hope” is a “firm expectation.” It’s not hoping for something that you think will never happen. It’s hoping for something you believe is coming. Those who believe they are going to walk in the glory of God, firmly expect that God will keep His promise to us and that He will finish the good work He started in us. We will be complete; we will be perfect, as He said. 

There are many people today, Christians and Jews alike, who don’t understand that the Old covenant was done away in Christ. (2Co.3:14) but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ. They have a veil on. Many Christians have a veil on because they’re still under the Law. They’re either under the law of men or they’re under the Law of the Old Covenant. They don’t understand that God made a New Covenant making the first one old.  

(15) But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. (16) But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. So we see that when you turn to the Lord, the blindness that the devil puts on all of mankind is broken from you. Even as a Christian, if you turn to the Lord, God will break the veil off of your spiritual eyes. No matter what kind of legalism you’re under, no matter what following of your own mind you’re under, God will break that off of you and you’ll be able to follow the Spirit of God. (17) Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty. This is freedom – freedom from bondage, freedom from the Law – because you naturally fulfill the Law.  

We’re looking in the mirror and seeing Jesus by faith, so that God will take that faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, and bring it to pass. Also notice that he calls it “the glory of the Lord.” We’re going to discover what this glory is and that it’s in this life that you get this glory. (18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image (Where? Here.) from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.  

As we accept that we no longer live, that the One Who looks in this mirror is now Jesus Christ, Who now lives in us, we’re changed “from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.” What glory is he talking about? The three glories mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:41 are star, moon and sun. God offers to His saints three heavenly bodies. He calls them star, moon and sun glory.  

We start out as a star glory because we have self-righteousness. The glory that comes forth from stars separates them. They’re different; they’re distinct from one another. That’s the first stage of Christian growth. We have our own glory – self-righteousness. The second stage of Christian growth is moon glory because the moon is one. The Bible says that we become united with Him in the likeness of His death. The moon is dead; it’s one and it’s dead, having no light of its own, only reflecting the light of the sun.  

We who have moon glory shall also be of the resurrection, which is sun glory. We’re going from our own righteousness through death-to-self and resurrection life of Christ in us. These are the three stages. We grow into His glory “from glory to glory, as from the Lord the Spirit.” Notice that glory is the brilliance that shines forth from us, the light of Christ’s life. It’s “the glory of the Lord.” They saw a great light in the shadow of death, didn’t they? Yes, and it was Jesus. They will see that again on this earth, very soon, because God’s planning on lighting that light again!  

(2Co.4:3) And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish. Literally, it says, “are perishing.” If you don’t have the revelation of “Christ in you,” you are perishing. This revelation of Christ coming to life in you is the same Jesus Who walked on this earth 2000 years ago, not another Jesus, not a weak and worthless Jesus Who sits up on a cloud and does nothing for anybody – doesn’t heal the sick anymore, doesn’t cast out devils anymore, on and on. No, this is the real Jesus! This is the glory that God is resurrecting in His people in these days. (2Co.4:3) And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: (4) in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ….  

Notice that this glory of Christ is a light, not in a physical world, but in the spiritual world. It’s a light that shines forth. (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them]. The devil doesn’t want “Christ in you,” or sonship or the glory of the Son manifested in you. We need to obtain this glory, which is Kingdom glory. The people who walk in the Kingdom walk in this glory. Now we all may be walking into it in a certain percentage, but Jesus wants us to fully manifest that glory 30-, 60- and 100-fold. He offers us 100-fold. We need to believe Him and take Him at His Word. 

He goes on to say, (2Co.4:5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (6) Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness…. This is the light of the glory of Jesus Christ. This is a spiritual light that’s in you. God opens the eyes of some people to see this light. I’ve known people who have seen it on me and other Christians, who walk in the light of God. They’ve told me so. There is a light seen in the spirit realm “Light shall shine out of darkness” is the light of the glory of God manifesting in your old life, your soul, that outer man that’s decaying day-by-day, so that the inner man may be renewed.  

(6) Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. You’re not looking at your natural face in the mirror anymore; you’re accepting that now Jesus lives in you. It’s only those of you who accept that His righteousness is now yours, that you don’t live any longer. That’s the Gospel! That’s the Good News! It’s not something that you can do; it’s something you can believe God to do. And He will do it. 

We’re told that God Himself is the Father of glory: (Eph.1:17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory…. He’s the Father of Jesus and the Father of glory because Jesus is the glory and “Christ in you” is the glory. (17) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. This is a good prayer! He can do it. He’ll do anything that you need to give to you this gift, but first we need the revelation of what God has given unto us.  

That’s why we study this, to have that wisdom of knowledge. So we see He’s the Father of glory, He’s the Father of the Son, He’s the Father of sonship and He’s the Father of the spiritual man in you, which is the glory of the Son. This is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col.1:27) To whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. The glory of Jesus Christ is coming to be manifested, that is, sonship, being manifested in His people. And it’s progressive, but we receive it by faith.  

Back to: (2Co.4:7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (this is the treasure of the glory of God that needs to continue to grow in us), that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. Well, we have this treasure of the Word being manifested in God’s people, and the Word is also that light that shines out of darkness! 

(2Pe.1:19) And we have the word of prophecy [made] more sure (we know that to be the Word of God); whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. This “lamp” is the shining forth of the light. The Bible says of this “lamp shining in a dark place,” The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord (Pro.20:27).  

The “dark place” is your old man that’s keeping this hidden. You must be broken so that the light can come forth, “as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts.” “Day star” is an archaic term that was used for the sun. The light is shining in this dark place until the day dawns and the Son arises in your heart.  

(2Pe.1:20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. (21) For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit. We have a more sure word of prophecy. It’s the Word of God. All the Word of God is prophecy and it’s powerful to come to pass, if we believe it. We have to hold diligently to it to believe it. We’re seeing that the Father is the Father of glory and that the Word, which is also Jesus Christ, is the Son of the Father and is also that glory.  

We have this treasure of the Word, of the Son, of the glory, in us, by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Spirit of adoption that brings us to the adoption of sons. The Spirit of the Son is to take us over, just as the devil seeks to take us over. The Spirit of the Son seeks to bring forth His glory in us, as Paul tells us: (2Co.4:7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. Meaning that we have a weak vessel that’s not able to walk in the glory of God, but the power that’s of God is that Spirit that dwells in us.  

(8) [We are] pressed on every side yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; (9) pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; (10) always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus (the glory is the life of Jesus; it is the Word of God and it is born of the Father) may be manifested in our body. Manifested in this body, which will then not be under the curse. This is God’s plan. You get the glory here by looking in the mirror now, with an unveiled face now.  

The word “manifested” means “to cause to shine, to make visible” in our body. Phaneroo in Greek means “to cause to shine.” The very word “manifestation” is talking about the shining of the glory inside you! (11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus (there it is again, the life of that glory lives in us) may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Again, the word here is phaneroo: to cause to shine, to become visible.” Where? “In our mortal flesh”.

The Son of God is being birthed in us, in this physical life. That’s the manifestation of sonship in spirit and in soul. The person who has walked in the manifestation of sonship in spirit and in soul will ultimately have the manifestation of sonship in their body. That’s the fullness of adoption, “that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh,” shining forth out of us. 

Also in: (Col.3:3) For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. You need to remember that you don’t have a problem with sin anymore. You died. The old man died, the old sinner doesn’t live anymore. Christ is our life. (4) When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. The very life inside of us is Christ growing in us, just like Mary had Christ growing in her. Jesus said, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother (Mat.12:50).  

Every one of us is pregnant with Jesus Christ. (Col.3:4) When Christ, [who is] our life, shall be manifested (caused to shine), then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. As Christ is manifested in us, the glory is manifested in us because He is the glory and the Father is the Father of glory, and everything that’s born of the Father is glory. So the glory that’s shining forth from, that’s manifested, is glory of the star, moon and, ultimately, sun glory shining forth from God’s people.  

John calls us “children” by manifestation, because that’s what we are until we manifest His sonship. (1Jn.2:28) And now, [my] little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested (meaning - in us), we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. What is it to “abide in him”? He tells us, “If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son” (24). What did we hear from the beginning? The truth. Not necessarily what we hear nowadays, but what we heard from the beginning; if this abides in you, you abide in the Son.  

And it clearly says, he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked (6). How did He walk? He walked to His cross, for one thing. He walked in righteousness for another thing and He walked by faith for another thing. So, he says, (1Jn.2:28) And now, [my] little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested (phaneroo) …. The word is “if,” not “when.” Some versions say, “when he shall be manifested,” but none of the ancient manuscripts or the numerics say “when.” They say “if.” It’s not talking about the physical coming of the Lord; it’s talking about His coming in you.  

Watch carefully: (28) And now, [my] little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested (caused to shine, become visible in you), we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. What’s going to cause you not to be ashamed before Christ, except Him living in you? The word there is “manifested,” just like everywhere else. It is phaneroo: “cause to shine.” And the second word used here, in “at his coming,” refers to the physical coming of Christ. The first one is His coming in you. The second one is His second coming. So now it makes sense.  

If the translation you see is “when he shall appear” and “coming,” then you see Him coming twice there in the same verse. It doesn’t have anything to do with that. It has to do with Him coming in you and then coming for you. The parousia, the second word used here in “at his coming,” means He’s coming for the ones in whom He is phaneroo’d. He has become manifest. They have manifested 30-, 60- or 100-fold of their sonship and of the glory of God. That’s what it’s talking about. This is awesome!  

(29) If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that everyone also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him. The One in you Who’s coming forth, “that doeth righteousness,” that one is born of Him. (1Jo.3:2) Beloved, now are we children (teknon, not sons) of God, and it is not yet made manifest (phaneroo; it’s not yet fully shining forth from you; that glory of God is not complete) what we shall be. We know that, if (again, it’s “if” and not “when”; it has nothing to do with the physical coming of Christ) he shall be manifested (become visibly shining from you), we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. If it’s shining forth from you, you’re going to be like Him and you’re going to see Him in the mirror as He is, manifestly, this time and not by faith.  

Another word, epiphania, is very close in meaning to phaneroo. It’s still “a shining forth” but it’s “to shine forth from, or upon.” (2Ti.4:8) Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing (epiphania-ing). It’s not talking about the coming of the Lord; it’s talking about His shining forth from you. He’s coming for all those who have loved His epiphania, the “shining forth from.”  

(Tit.2:11) For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, (12) instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world. This is the proving ground; this is where the fruit is born.  

It is here that we are manifesting His glory, coming into the image of Jesus Christ, the Son, and manifesting His sonship. (Tit.2:13) Looking for the blessed hope and appearing (epiphania, the “shining forth from”) of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Are you looking for the shining forth of the glory of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ? That’s our hope! Hold fast to the Word of God. Find out what it says about you and believe every Word!