Page 3 - October 2026 - Truth & Tidings

hat a glorious day it will be we shall be what we should be, that which
when, as the old spiritual says, is not now, nor could be.” What they will
2
Wthe saints go marching into see at Christ’s return is what all creation
heaven. OK, maybe we won’t be marching, has been anticipating. “For the creation
but subsequent to the Rapture the Lord waits with eager longing for the revealing
Jesus will indeed take us into heaven, the of the sons of God” (Rom 8:19). Notice the
Father’s house, so that where He is we may words Paul uses to describe this dramatic
be also (Joh 14:1-3). future event. He does not speak of creation
But how often do we ponder what it will eagerly awaiting the revelation of God’s
be like when we come out of heaven, that plan or even the revelation of His Son, both
is, when the saints go marching out? At the of which will occur, but his emphasis is on
Rapture, Christ will not only take us to be the revelation of the sons of God. Although
with Him but make us to be like Him (1Jn Christ’s manifestation is obviously of chief
3:2). He will come then, not as the Savior importance, our manifestation with Him as
of sinners (His mission at His first coming), sons of God fully conformed to His image
but to be the Savior of the body. “The Lord will perfectly display the great power of
Jesus Christ … will transform our lowly His redemptive work and declare afresh
body to be like his glorious body” (Php His credentials. As we come out of heaven
3:20-21). At last, sanctification, the slow with Him, we will stand as proof that the
1
and often painful process of being changed one who has brought about such a glori-
from one degree of glory to another (2Co ous transformation in His people has the
3:18) in these bodies of flesh, will give power to transform all of creation itself. In
way to glorification – final conformity to our glorified state, we will be the evidence
Christ, which will happen in the blink of
an eye (1Co 15:51-52). We could (and most that He is indeed able “to subject all things
certainly will) revel in our new glorified to himself” (Php 3:21).
state of Christlikeness forever. Yet there is Thankfully, as we anticipate that glorious
so much more ahead. We are going to be moment when the saints go marching out,
made manifest to an onlooking world at we don’t have to sing, “Lord, I want to be
our Savior’s return to this earth. in that number”; there is no doubt about
This world has yet to behold God’s that – we will be. This is not the destiny of
people at their best. But it will. It sees us a mere handful of His most faithful follow-
now in our frailty, our fallenness, and with ers; everyone who has been justified will
our failures. Although our lives have never also be glorified (Rom 8:30). “When Christ
been the same since the Savior came in, who is your life appears, then you also will
only at His coming will it be true: “Then appear with him in glory” (Col 3:4).

1 Bible quotations in this article are from the ESV. 2 Thomas Kelly (1769–1855)

291
TruthandTidings.com I October 2026 291