👸🏻 Face-To-Face with HaShem!

words of life

a Paola Lane devotional

FACE-TO-FACE WITH GOD

“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

Face-to-face.

A term in this scripture passage so often glossed over. But as I was searching this chapter for something quite different, I was captured and pulled aside by this phrase. So, as much as I love exploring rabbit trails…I paused on verse 12 to take it in.

Instantly, I recognized the phrase that caught my eye as “panim el panim” in Hebrew; something I had come across in my studies before but now Holy Spirit was wanting to reveal more.

Here's the same verse from the Orthodox Jewish Bible:

“For still we see through a mirror indistinctly. But then [in the Olam Haba (world to come)], distinctly, panim el panim (face-to-face). Now I have da’as (knowledge) only in part; then I will have da’as fully, even as also Hashem had full da’as of me."

-Orthodox Jewish Bible

Panim el panim.

The Hebrews of old would most likely have an image burned into their minds when they heard this phrase, that of being banished from the Garden of Eden. The phrase is a reminder of what was lost in the Garden; the place where Adam and Eve lived panim el panim (face-to-face) with HaShem until they chose knowledge over Paneh (Presence).

When mankind was removed from the garden, God removed His face, His presence from man as well. And ever since then, mankind has sought to regain access to the paneh of God. To be restored to the Presence of God is the very hope and purpose of the nation of Israel (read Book No. 12: Seen & Unseen for more on this).

This is at the heart of the gospel of Christ. It's the what and why we need restitution for our sins.

Most people hear, “Believe in Jesus so you can be saved from your sins.” My question would be, why? For what? To ride on fluffy white clouds instead of burn in a fire? Sure, we'd all like to not be in torment, but that's not the point of the gospel of Christ because that is a by-product of the real treasure, our wonderful inheritance.

We need complete restitution from our sins so that we can again be panim el panim with Yahweh. To be fully in His Presence; to know Him fully!

This is our complete inheritance: to be panim el panim with God.

Right now, we see only a bit, a shadow. Our understanding of HaShem is blurry, foggy, cracked. I see a part, you see a part…but even with our parts together, He is still not fully seen or understood.

But we do have the Wind of the Set-Apart One (see edition No. 12) implanted in us when we are born again by the Blood of Messiah. However, being filled with Holy Spirit is not the full inheritance.

Jesus says Holy Spirit in us is like an engagement ring—a promise of what's to come, being face-to-face with HaShem! (Ephesians 1:14)

There will be a day, very soon, when the veil is lifted, and we will no longer be banished from His Presence and be able to stand face-to-face with the One who created us.

Can you imagine?!

“That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it—to the praise of His glory.”

-Ephesians 1:14 (AMPC)

Prayer in Response

(p.s. if you are uncertain if you are a Bride of Christ,

ready to meet your Bridegroom, visit www.paolalane.com/yeshua .)

You are fully know and accepted by the Most High,

AnamcaraLaura

SEE WHAT'S NEW AT PAOLALANE.COM

⭐️ Share this devotional and invite a friend to join us using the link below:

www.paolalane.com/oil

“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” -John 17:3 (ESV)

PO Box 961
Kimberling City, MO 65686, United States