The phrase “see face to face” comes from 1 Corinthians 13:12, which says “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” This verse points to a future time when our knowledge and understanding of God will be complete and perfect, compared to the limited understanding we have now.
In our current earthly life, we only see an indirect reflection of spiritual realities, as if looking in a mirror. Our knowledge is incomplete and imperfect. But there is coming a day when we will stand directly before God and see Him clearly. The barriers between us will be removed and we will have an unobstructed view of our Creator. Face to face contact eliminates any obstruction, so we will see and know God fully and plainly.
Some key points about the meaning of seeing God face to face:
- It will happen in the next life, after our earthly life is over.
- We will have direct, unmediated access to God, rather than seeing a mere reflection.
- All imperfections in our understanding of God will be removed.
- We will have clear knowledge of God’s nature and character.
- There will be no more faith or guessing – we will have complete understanding.
- We will know God deeply and intimately.
- God will know us perfectly as well.
In ancient Middle Eastern culture, facing someone “face to face” meant you were in a close relationship with them. You were interacting with them directly, intimately, and openly. So to see God “face to face” speaks of the most direct, intimate knowledge of Him possible for us as created beings. All intermediaries are removed and we commune with God without any hindrances or limitations.
1. It will happen in the next life, after our earthly life is over
An important aspect of seeing God face to face is the timing – it will happen after our earthly lives are over. 1 Corinthians 13:12 indicates this by saying “then we shall see face to face.” The contrasts between “now” and “then” suggest this is a future event. Several other passages discuss seeing God in the afterlife as well:
Psalm 17:15 – As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
Revelation 22:4 – They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
1 John 3:2 – 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.
The constant message is that seeing God face to face is for the next life, not our present earthly life. It awaits us after death when we enter eternity. This may happen when we die or at Christ’s second coming – the Bible is not entirely clear on the precise timing. But it will definitely happen in the future after our earthly pilgrimage is done.
2. We will have direct, unmediated access to God
A second key aspect is the directness of access this provides us to God. On earth we interact with God indirectly, such as through prayer, the Bible, godly people, etc. We have to go through intermediaries. But when we stand face to face before God, the access will be immediate – no intermediaries or barriers at all. We will be right in God’s presence, conversing with Him plainly.
Exodus 33:11 gives a glimpse of this close access, describing how God spoke to Moses “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” But our access will far exceed even what Moses experienced. We will have the most intimate communion possible with our Creator. The distance caused by sin will be removed.
3. All imperfections in our understanding of God will be removed
Currently our understanding of God is tainted by imperfections. We cannot comprehend Him fully or know Him perfectly. As 1 Corinthians 13:12 notes, right now we only know “in part.” Our finiteness limits what we can perceive about an infinite God. Sin also distorts our ability to know God rightly. But when we are face to face with God, all limitations and imperfections to knowing Him will vanish. Our understanding will be made complete.
We will no longer struggle to reconcile God’s love and justice. His plans will make sense. His ways will be clear. God will reveal Himself fully to us and we will grasp it because of being in His direct presence. Our knowledge can become whole because the barriers to knowing Him will be abolished.
4. We will have clear knowledge of God’s nature and character
Not only will our general knowledge of God be made complete, we will gain clear insight into His divine nature and character. Passages like 1 John 3:2 teach that “we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” We will understand God’s attributes – His holiness, sovereignty, justice, love, etc – perfectly instead of dimly.
We will grasp the beauty and majesty of God’s being. Revelation 22:4 promises that in heaven “they will see his face.” To see God’s face is to perceive His truest self. All He is in His person and essence will be made manifest to us. Our glimpses now will become sight. We will know God deeply through close personal interaction with Him.
5. There will be no more faith or guessing – we will have complete understanding
In this life we walk by faith, not sight, regarding spiritual realities (2 Corinthians 5:7). We have faith because we cannot yet see clearly. But faith gives way to sight when we behold God’s face. The perfect knowledge granted by seeing God face to face abolishes any need for faith in who God is. Everything will be made plain.
We will not need to guess about God’s plans or motives. We will not have unanswered questions. His ways that seemed mysterious will be understood. We will trust God completely because we will know Him completely. Full understanding replaces faith.
6. We will know God deeply and intimately
The extent of our knowledge will also deepen significantly when we see God face to face. Our limited human capacity right now cannot grasp the infinite greatness of God. But that capacity will expand when we stand before Him. We will be able to comprehend far more of who He is. The depth of our wisdom will magnify.
This will allow us to know God at the most intimate level possible for created beings. We will have close, familiar friendship with God. The relationship between us will resemble the ancient Middle East’s idea of knowing someone face to face. The apostle Paul beautifully expresses this: “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
7. God will know us perfectly as well
Seeing face to face is a two-way street. Not only will we know God fully, but He will also know us fully: “then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” We cannot hide anything from an omniscient God now, yet there is still a distance between us. But in eternity God will search the depths of our hearts and perceive us more fully than we can conceive.
This may seem scary to have our deepest being exposed. But it will be a good thing given our redeemed state. We will have confidence that God sees us accurately. And we will rest in being fully known by the One who truly knows and loves us better than we know ourselves.
Other biblical examples of seeing God’s face
A handful of people in Scripture had early experiences of seeing God’s face that give us glimpses of what this privilege will be like. Studying them provides more insight into the biblical concept of seeing God face to face.
Moses
Moses enjoyed extraordinary access to speak with God during his life. Exodus 33:11 says “the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Numbers 12:6-8 also distinguishes Moses as having greater revelation from God than other prophets. Seeing God face to face was an honor granted uniquely to Moses in that time.
Jacob
After wrestling with God all night, Jacob proclaimed “I have seen God face to face” (Genesis 32:30). His was likely a Christophany – a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. He realized that seeing God’s face meant he had survived direct contact with the Almighty. This sight of God’s face profoundly impacted Jacob.
Gideon
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, the Lord spoke to him face to face as well. Gideon feared he would die because “I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” (Judges 6:22). Seeing the angel of the Lord was essentially seeing God directly, which terrified Gideon.
Isaiah
Isaiah’s vision of God in the throne room provides a snapshot of what we will see continuously in eternity. Isaiah beheld the Lord seated on His throne, high and exalted (Isaiah 6:1). He saw the beauty and glory of God’s presence. And this sight of God’s face changed Isaiah forever after.
John
In Revelation 22:4, John writes that in heaven “they will see His face.” As the disciple who knew Christ intimately, John understood well the blessing of seeing God’s face. He recorded the promise that all believers will one day behold God’s face too.
How should this truth impact us now?
While seeing God face to face awaits us in eternity, this certain hope has implications for how we live here and now. Reflecting on what Scripture says about seeing God’s face can inspire us to:
- Have an eternal perspective – This life is not all there is. An infinite God awaits us.
- Long for deeper fellowship with God – We yearn to know Him better while still on earth.
- Purify ourselves – We want to be ready to meet our Lord face to face (1 John 3:2-3).
- Walk by faith – We trust God now even with partial understanding of Him.
- Worship God – We get glimpses of His glory that will one day be seen fully.
- Hope in God’s promises – Our eternal future with Christ is secure.
The promise of seeing God face to face gives us strength to endure through the trials and pain of this life. We can persevere knowing that the best is yet to come. Though we see dimly now, the day is coming when we will behold our Savior face to face.
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!