The beatific vision refers to the direct, immediate, and face-to-face vision of God enjoyed by those in heaven. It is related to the biblical promise that the pure in heart shall see God (Matthew 5:8). This article will examine what the Bible teaches about the beatific vision and what we can expect in seeing God face to face.
The desire to see God
There is an innate desire within human beings to see and know God. This desire is evident in Moses’ request to see God’s glory (Exodus 33:18), Philip’s request to be shown the Father (John 14:8), and Job’s expectation to see God even after his body decayed (Job 19:26). God made humankind for fellowship with Himself, so it makes sense that we long to see Him. Augustine captured this desire when he wrote, “You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.” The beatific vision will satisfy this deep spiritual craving.
Contrasted with the veil over spiritual realities
In our present fallen state, there is a veil or obscurity over spiritual realities (2 Corinthians 3:15-16). We walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Our knowledge and fellowship with God are limited. We see “in a mirror dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). But one day, in heaven, the veil will be lifted. We will see “face to face.” The obscurity will be replaced with open vision and crystal clarity. This is the essence of the beatific vision – seeing God plainly rather than faintly.
No one has seen God
The Bible teaches that no one has seen God directly. In John 1:18 we read, “No one has ever seen God.” John 6:46 records Jesus saying, “Not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.” 1 Timothy 6:16 describes God as dwelling in “unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see.” These verses indicate that the beatific vision is not something experienced by Christians on earth, but is reserved for heaven. We walk by faith, not sight, during our earthly sojourn.
A vision of glory
The biblical authors struggled to convey the glory that will be revealed in the beatific vision. It’s a “glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 3:10). When we see God face to face we will behold His “light,” “majesty,” and “power” (Jude 24-25). We will discover new depths to God’s greatness. His attributes will be on full display in ways we can only begin to imagine. The sight will be truly glorious.
Contrasted with human limits
On earth we are limited physical and spiritual beings, but in the beatific vision such limitations will fall away. We will be given resurrected bodies and minds untainted by sin and finitude. We will have unhindered access to God. The vision will be comprehensive rather than dim. Ongoing rather than momentary. Direct rather than mediate. Paul contrasted our present state with the beatific vision this way:
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
The beatific vision will bring knowledge of God that far exceeds anything we can attain in our limited, earthly state.
A validation of faith
While on earth, we trust in the invisible God whom we’ve never seen directly. The beatific vision will validate this faith. Those who believed will enjoy the very thing they hoped for – seeing God face to face. The vision of glory will confirm that our faith was not in vain. The unknown will become known. The hoped for will become seen. This should motivate us to pursue holiness and purity of heart now. As Hebrews 12:14 states, “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” The beatific vision awaits those who persevere in righteousness.
Transforming effects
Not only will we see God clearly in the beatific vision, but we will be transformed by the sight. John wrote: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Beholding God’s glory will have an assimilating effect, making us more and more like Christ in holiness (2 Corinthians 3:18). We will be glorified and conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, the object of our sight (Romans 8:29-30).
A participation in divine life
The beatific vision is not merely observational. As redeemed creatures, we are called to participate in the very life of the Trinity. We will share in the glory, love, joy, and creativity that flow endlessly between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The vision is relational and interactive. Heaven will not consist of passively observing God’s glory from a distance. We will participate in beauty beyond imagining. We will experience divine love in its fullness. We will rule and reign with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 22:5). The beatific vision is the gateway to sharing God’s life in intimate communion.
The vision of Christ
The New Testament closely connects the beatific vision with seeing Christ in His glory. For example, John 17:24 records Jesus praying that His people may join Him in heaven and “behold my glory.” And 1 John 3:2 says that “when he [Christ] appears we shall see him as he is.” To look upon the glorified Christ is to see God Himself, since Jesus is the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) and the perfect representation of the Father (John 14:9). The beatific vision centers upon seeing Jesus face to face and participating in His glory.
Will we see the Father specifically?
Some theologians distinguish between beholding the uncreated glory of God (the Father) versus beholding God’s glory manifested through Christ’s human nature. Christ revealed the Father during His earthly ministry, so will we look upon the distinct Person of the Father in heaven or not? There is some mystery here. John 14:9 suggests that to see Jesus is to see the Father. Yet Revelation 22:4 promises that the redeemed will see God’s face. Both truths likely converge in the beatific vision – as we behold Christ in glory we will also gain a vision of the Father’s glory. But the sight of the Father will always be through the mediation of the Son.
A vision mediated by Christ
The Bible gives Christ alone the unique title of “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). 1 Timothy 6:16 declares that God dwells in “unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see.” It would seemingly be impossible for finite creatures to behold the infinite Creator, except that Christ is the perfect intermediary. He alone makes the unseeable God seeable. As Hebrews 1:3 states, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” All who behold Christ by faith now and sight then will gain access to the otherwise unreachable glory of God.
Visible communion with Christ
The beatific vision includes visible fellowship with Christ. We see a hint of this in the Transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John visibly witnessed Christ in glory. In heaven, believers will continually behold “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). We will experience open interaction with Him, hear His voice, touch Him, and commune with Him face to face. Imagine talking with Jesus, walking with Him, sitting at His feet, embracing Him. This will be the blessed reality heaven. The beatific vision brings unhindered communion with Christ.
Duration
The beatific vision will endure for eternity. There will be no interruptions or distractions. We will gaze upon holy beauty forever and ever. There will be no boredom or fatigue, only increasing delight, awe, and satisfaction. Eternity guarantees that the vision only becomes brighter with time. As one Puritan writer beautifully expressed it:
“He is the eternal object of their everlasting vision and fruition. Their faces shall be forever toward Him; their eyes forever fixed on Him…They shall forever bathe themselves in the boundless and bottomless ocean of divine goodness.” (John Flavel)
This eternal duration makes the beatific vision far surpass any fleeting experiences on earth. The vision will never fade or grow old.
Degrees of glory
Not everyone will partake of the beatific vision to the same degree. The Bible indicates that there will be degrees of reward in heaven based upon works done on earth (Luke 19:12-27, 1 Corinthians 3:8, 2 Corinthians 5:10). Not only will hell be worse for some (Matthew 11:20-24), but some saints will shine brighter than others in glory (Daniel 12:3). However, even the least in the kingdom will experience incomprehensible joy. All will behold depths of God’s glory beyond anything imaginable on earth. The differences will fade compared to the riches enjoyed by all.
A foretaste now through faith
While the beatific vision awaits heaven, followers of Christ gain a foretaste now through the eyes of faith. As we study God’s Word, fellowship with His people, partake of the sacraments, pray, worship, and participate in spiritual disciplines, we receive glimpses of His glory. We walk by faith and not sight. Spurgeon compared it to seeing the gleams of a lighthouse before actually landing at the shore. These gleams whet our appetite for the full glory to come. The Spirit enables us to taste the powers of the age to come (Hebrews 6:5), including the future beatific vision.
Motivation for seeking holiness
The hope of seeing Christ in His glory serves as a powerful motivation for pursuing holiness on earth. John wrote, “We know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). Peter encouraged his readers to be “preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). The prospect of the beatific vision inspires reverence and obedience now.
Source of ultimate satisfaction
The beatific vision will provide complete satisfaction to our deepest longings. All imperfect desires will be swallowed up in perfect fulfillment when we see God face to face. We will join the heavenly beings in crying “Holy, holy, holy” as we become captivated by God Himself (Revelation 4:8). We will worship Christ exclaiming, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:12). “In your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11) – this will be the reality forevermore. The beatific vision brings endless delight, awe, joy, peace, and satisfaction in the all-glorious God.
Hope for those who mourn
The beatific vision offers hope to those who are bereaved. For believers, death leads directly into the presence of Christ. To be “away from the body” is to be “home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Those who die are ushered into the joyous glory of heaven where Christ is enthroned. This was Paul’s comforting assurance as he neared death: “I desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Philippians 1:23). All who mourn will rejoice together on That Day when faith becomes sight. The beatific vision reunites all who died in Christ.
The culmination of salvation
The beatific vision marks the culmination of the ordo salutis (“order of salvation”). God has chosen us for holiness (Ephesians 1:4), called us (2 Timothy 1:9), regenerated us (Titus 3:5), justified us (Romans 5:1), adopted us (Romans 8:15), is sanctifying us (1 Thessalonians 5:23), and will one day glorify us (Romans 8:17, 30). This glorification includes the beatific vision. It is the final stage when we will see Christ face to face in glory and be transformed fully into His likeness. Our salvation will then be complete in both body and soul.
Assurance of salvation
The promise of the beatific vision can give assurance of salvation. Scripture connects the hope of heaven with present confidence: “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming” (1 John 2:28). Those exhibiting righteousness, love, and doctrinal soundness evidence that they will see God: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Assurance of the beatific vision equates to assurance of salvation.
A Christ-centered hope
The beatific vision directs our hope to Christ Himself rather than abstract bliss. We eagerly await seeing Jesus face to face. He is the focal point. Jonathan Edwards captured this well:
“The Lamb is the light of the heavenly city. The glory of this city is the glory of the Lamb…we shall be introduced into a most perfect acquaintance, and dear love and sweet enjoyment of the blessed Jesus, our most lovely and gracious Redeemer.”
Rather than some vague state of bliss, believers particularly look forward to beholding the glory of Christ. He is the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).
The subjective experience
What will it feel like to experience the beatific vision? Human language falls short here. We can say there will be supreme joy, awe, gratitude, worship, astonishment, peace, and satisfaction in seeing God face to face. Perhaps the closest earthly analogy is the ecstatic joy of marriage consummation – the profound union and intimacy long anticipated finally realized. But even this pales compared to beholding Christ’s glory. 1 John 3:2 says we do not yet know what we shall be. Words fail to capture the subjective wonder of the beatific vision. May God grant us all a taste someday!
Conclusion
The beatific vision is the ultimate hope of all believers. One day we will see Christ face to face and participate in the divine life and glory. This vision will far exceed any experience on earth. It will bring unhindered communion with God, complete transformation into Christ’s image, and eternal, ecstatic joy. The hope of the beatific vision points us to purification now and glory later. No wonder Paul longed to depart and be with Christ! Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!