We know that our hope is in heaven. We are not short of hearing this promise....but we are short on hearing this.....as David proclaimed in the 17th Psalm....verse 15....verse 15b to be exact....in the King James Version..."I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."
Now there is a matter of legitimate interpretation here....does this mean....seeing God's likeness....or as the KJV that is above and other literal translations put it....with thy likeness?
If Jesus were to appear to me right now.....I would be on the floor as one dead....but I would still be me....in this tent....hoping in salvation for the chief of sinners.....and I might add....so would everyone else.
We not only long to see Jesus....we long for that day when we will be like Him....in that there is no corruption in heaven. Let me see if I can come up with an example....
Has it ever passed through your mind....even a passing thought.....of maybe seeing someone in heaven that you didn't particularly like here on earth? Maybe they thought that they were holier than everyone? How would you react? Are you concerned even a little bit that you might harbor some jealousy or grievance in heaven. That would be a really discouraging thought would it not....jealousy in heaven....sin of any kind in heaven....I thought we were done with all that?
Well we do know that there will not be any of that in heaven. So don't worry about what you will say to this person or that person....for love will absolutely be everywhere!
So I have to lean towards the translation of Psalm 17:15b as being...."with Thy likeness." But what if I'm wrong? Hey....whatever it will be....it will be perfect! This is part of our hope folks....as we will no longer have to be concerned about our own frail natures....because we will be changed! How often today do we hear the adage....don't worry about things that you cannot change? Well here it is don't worry,...because we all be changed!
This is only verse 15 of the 17th Psalm....although it is the last verse. David was tired....for persecution from evil men was always following him....but he had patience and faith....for he knew what was ahead. Verse fourteen describes those men of this world who seem to have all the money and riches that they could even desire. That was their treasure. And they looked at this life as simply enjoying that treasure....and then passing it on to their many children....but David did write in the first part of that 15th and final verse...."As for me, I will see your face in righteousness...."
