Baptism With Fire – Wallace Articles

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OPEN

I’d like to talk to you today about Baptism with Fire. This talk builds on information given in an earlier presentation; so if you haven’t yet seen that talk you may find some of today’s concepts difficult to understand. Please check out the other presentation before continuing this one. The first message was entitled, “Unity With Christ”.

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I. WHAT IT IS

B/F:

In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 3, verse 16, John the Baptist tells us, “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire!” So what is this ‘baptism with fire’? This single verse is the only place in the entire Bible to refer to it by this name. So how are we supposed to understand what he meant? Fortunately there are other references in the Bible to the occurrence; they just don’t name it. So let’s examine what this experience is.

SG:

There are numerous descriptions in the Bible of God appearing to individual people and larger groups in various forms. Typically these manifestations took the form of a ball of light or a pillar of fire. Perhaps the best known are the appearances of God to the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt. Let’s look at the verses which mention the presence of God which appeared above the Ark of the Covenant, first in the wilderness Tabernacle then later in the Temple of Jerusalem.

Ex 25:21-22 (KJV), “Thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark, and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony.”

Lv 16:2 (KJV), “The Lord said unto Moses, ‘Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the Holy Place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.”

Nu 7:89 (KJV), “When Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with Him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubims: and He spake unto him.”

1Ki 7:51 & 1Ki 8:10-11 (KJV), “So was ended all the work that King Solomon made for the house of the Lord. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the Lord.” “And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the Holy Place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.”

These passages describe the presence of God above the Ark of the Covenant. Perhaps you’ve also heard the term Shekinah Glory in reference to God’s manifestation. Although this name doesn’t appear in the Protestant Bible, it is used extensively in Rabbinic writings about those visible manifestations of God. Many of the descriptions involve a ball of light or a pillar of fire; and those which mention the presence above the mercy seat being a large shimmering and pulsating light.

BB:

In the Book of the Exodus, Chapter 3, we read of Moses’ encounter with God at a ‘burning bush’. I’ll not read this passage to you now because it is my presumption that you’re already familiar with it. If not, please take time to read about it in Exodus 3.

What exactly was happening in this event? Since there isn’t much description, we have to do a little speculating. I do not think it was a fire in the sense of what we normally know as fire. This is based on the description that the bush was not consumed. I believe it was more like the ball of light associated with God’s manifestation above the mercy seat.

Furthermore, Moses was told to take off his shoes because the ground was holy. What was it that made the ground holy? It was because the ground had been touched by God; and that touch made it holy.

What is ground? It’s dirt; nothing but dirt. How then can dirt be called holy? We normally think of dirt as dirty — the very opposite of clean. And yet we see from this that even dirt can become holy if it is touched by God.

A&E:

Now, what are humans? Where did we come from? Genesis 2:7 tell us that, “God formed Adam from the dust of the ground.” That means we’re a form of dirt. So what makes these bodies of dirt so important? It’s because God touched them. And more than that, God also placed a part of His Spirit in them to give life; “He breathed into his nostrils the Spirit of Life.” Thus, originally, our bodies had not only been touched by God, they also contained His presence. Adam and Eve’s bodies glowed with the presence of God within, but without being burned up. As with Moses’ burning bush and holy ground.

Regarding this glow, we understand that Adam and Eve’s glow was sufficiently bright that it served as clothing; at least in the sense that it hid their nakedness. (Ge 2:25). But later, after they sinned, the light disappeared and they saw that they were naked. (Ge 3:7).

Regarding the nature of Adam and Eve, we understand that Adam’s body which came from the ground was physical in nature; yet the Breath of God which gave Adam life was spiritual in nature. Thus by creation Adam & Eve had a dual nature, both physical and spiritual.

Jn 3:6 (KJV), “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Adam and Eve had been warned by God that if they ate from the forbidden tree they would die.

Ge 2:16-17 (KJV). “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

However, here is where we run into a bit of difficulty in our understanding of God and what He said. As we continue reading the story of Adam & Eve we learn that they did in fact eat from the forbidden tree; but then went on to live another 900 years or so. Sure they got kicked out of the Garden of Eden; but they didn’t die the same day they ate the fruit. So what of the warning from God that they’d die as soon as they did so?

I submit that in the day they ate the fruit, part of them did die — the spiritual part. And it was the death of the spiritual part which caused their glow to disappear. They lost their duality, and they lost the presence of God in them. From that point on they were only physical in nature. And their relationship with God became an external one.

Mo:

In Exodus 19 we read how Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and to the base of Mt. Sinai. Then in Chapter 24 Moses is called up the mountain to stay in the presence of God for 40 days. In Chapter 34 we’re told when Moses left God’s presence and came down from the mountain, his face was radiant. It was glowing so brightly that the people were afraid to come near him. They even made him put a veil over his head so they wouldn’t have to see it.

This glow of God’s presence in him was the same radiance that Adam & Eve had initially; and the same light Moses had encountered earlier in the Burning Bush. He had been with God long enough to receive God’s presence within himself; and thus he was restored to the dual nature humans were supposed to have. The Spirit of God had entered Moses, as evidenced by the radiance. This type of encounter is what it meant by Baptism with Fire.

This experience of Moses was to show the people what they too could have, if they could get over being afraid and disobedient. Unfortunately they didn’t; but this wasn’t due to God not offering it: it was because they chose otherwise.

Let’s look at another instance of a man so close to God that a part of God is in him, and he is seen as a dual-nature being. Someone who has been baptized with fire.

The event is recorded in three of the Gospels (Mt 17:1-2. Mk 9:2-3. Lk 9:28-29), and is commonly known as the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is the occasion when Jesus showed three of His Disciples what He had been preparing them for. He revealed to them what a restored son of God is meant to be. What they would soon become, once the Baptism with Fire came to them.

Jesus had had a dual nature all along; but for the purpose of His ministry He kept it hidden and secret until the end of His time on Earth. But now the end of His mission was close and at last it was time for the Disciples to know what He meant for them to become, and what He’d been training them to receive. He revealed to them His dual nature, and the result was that His body and clothing became as light, and “His face shone like the sun.” (Mt 17:2, NIV)

D’s:

A couple of months after Jesus’ transfiguration the Disciples received what Jesus had promised them. Jesus had returned to Heaven. His sacrifice had been presented to the Father, and accepted. Then Jesus asked that His Disciples also be received; so in confirmation that they too had been accepted by the Father, they were given the Baptism with Fire, also known as Pentecost.

The Book of Acts, Chapter 2 verse 3 (NLT), says, “What looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.” Most of us have read this passage many times, and have formed a mental image of what it may have looked like. In fact, Christians for the past 2000 years have been trying to understand this event. Because most, if not all, of us would dearly love to have the same.

Some people envision the manifestation as a small tongue of flame hovering above each of their heads. Others think of something like a large gold ring floating over their head; and term it a halo. Yet others imagine a luminous aura around their heads, as if the air above them was aglow. Personally I think the third of these ideas is closest to what happened; because this is in line with what was described in our earlier examples.

St:

There is yet another demonstration of someone with this nature. Acts 6 relates the story of Stephen the Deacon. How he was chosen by the Disciples and blessed; then how he did great wonders and miracles; and finally how he was falsely accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death. Verse 15 then describes how, as he was dying, his face became radiant — “as bright as an angel”.

B/F:

Baptism with Fire is the same as the Disciples’ Pentecost experience; the same as Jesus’ transfiguration; the same as Moses’ radiant face, and Stephen’s radiant face; and the same as Adam & Eve being clothed with light. Baptism with Fire is also what is promised to us of these Last Days as the Latter Rain and the Second Pentecost.

Baptism with Fire is available to us now! It is what we should be pursuing. It is what Jesus provided and promised. Baptism with Fire is the signification that we have been accepted by God the Father; and that we in turn have accepted Him. It signifies that the presence of God dwells within us. That we are temples of His presence. That we are fully restored to the dual physical and spiritual nature which God created us to have. Baptism with Fire is our ultimate goal.

It is true that a Christian can accept Jesus as his Savior, receive baptism with water, and thereafter be comfortable that he will be taken to Heaven. It is also true that a majority of Christians stop here in their relationship with God. But those who desire more, who wish to develop their relationship to its highest, can open themselves to receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Then ultimately progress to Baptism with Fire, and restoration to full status as sons of God with dominion in our world.

Those who see this possibility and desire it above all else, should pursue the three steps — the three baptisms. The important thing is to decide what you want, then keep after it until you succeed. It will come when you’re ready. I’ll give you a small hint, though: It isn’t enough to sit in prayer just begging for it. You have to make an effort to learn about the spiritual realm.

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II. HOW TO GET IT

How do we get it? This is the big question. Those who have experienced Baptism with the Holy Spirit can rightly say God is present within them. Yet few can say that their face glows at times; or they are doing wonders and miracles on a regular basis. So what’s missing? What aren’t we doing right? I believe it’s because, although God is present in us, we’re not yet united into one being with Him.

Jesus’ prayer to the Father on our behalf was, “May they be one with us as we are one with each other; that they may be brought to complete unity.” It is this unity which is the difficult part. To get there we must first learn to distinguish between the physical realm and the spiritual realm.

The BHS helped us to discern the Holy Spirit’s presence in our bodies by means of physical signs. And that was good; it was necessary for our growth. But now we must begin recognizing the spiritual; and this by definition is not physical. So we must now learn how to perceive God without depending on physical manifestations. We must recognize Him by spiritual means; that is to begin developing our spiritual senses. Jn 4:24, “God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

We must be able to recognize the spiritual realm if we are to be effective at influencing it. We have to enter the spiritual realm if we are to come into full power. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born of the Spirit in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Jn 3:5). This reference was to more than just the Second Coming; it’s possible for us now to enter the spiritual realm, the Kingdom of Heaven.

There are several instances of people doing this mentioned in the Bible; so we can study them. In the Gospel of John 20:19, we read how after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared in the Upper Room where the Disciples were hiding with the doors and windows locked. Jesus did this by leaving the physical realm, entering the sealed room by means of the spiritual realm, then re-entering the physical realm.

There were also many other supernatural occurrences throughout Jesus’ ministry. He calmed storms, walked on water, multiplied food, transformed wine, raised the dead, and so on. Yet those who don’t know how to enter the spiritual realm can’t comprehend operating outside of the natural physical laws. Yet we must learn to connect with the Spirit such that we can move beyond the limits of the physical.

Ph:

Another instance is recorded about the Apostle Philip in Acts 8:26-40. Philip was walking along the road between Jerusalem and Gaza when he encountered an Ethiopian official in a chariot. Philip taught him about Jesus until the Ethiopian believed and was baptized. But once the encounter was over, Philip vanished from the spot, and instantly reappeared in the city of Azotus, near Gaza. He travelled nearly 30 miles in a flash by means of the spiritual realm.

Jn:

Likewise we find an instance in Revelation 1:10, when the Apostle John says, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” He then describes a lengthy encounter with the Lord, where he sees a door in Heaven opened and he’s bidden to “come up hither and I will shew thee things.”

And yet another case, the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12 about entering the spiritual realm and going to Heaven where he saw and heard many secret things.

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III: WHAT IT’S LIKE

In this last example Paul stated, “Whether in the body or no, I couldn’t tell.” (2 Co 12:2). I believe this is telling us that although you clearly perceive something happening to you outside the physical realm, you’re not actually leaving your physical body. Rather, your awareness expands beyond your physical body and into your spiritual body; and you then begin perceiving and functioning in the spiritual realm!

Going back to Adam & Eve, prior to their Fall they had both a physical and spiritual nature. They could easily function in both realms, and they had abilities and powers which we today can’t imagine. Once they sinned and their spiritual self died, they were then trapped in the physical only; and condemned to live without many of their former abilities.

Modern science and biology tell us that we use less than 10% of our brain’s designed capacity; more than 90% remains untapped. Similarly, the portion of the light spectrum that’s visible to us is only a fraction of what’s there. Also, the portion of the sound spectrum that’s audible to us is only a fraction of what’s there. Birds are able to see colors we can’t, and dogs are able to hear sounds we can’t. Even though those sights and sounds are there in front of us, we can’t perceive them. Likewise, angels and demons exist in the spiritual realm and are constantly present around us, yet we can’t perceive them. I believe that once we are able to reunite our physical and spiritual selves, we’ll see and hear and interact with all of the above, and more.

When God made it possible for the Holy Spirit to give humans a new spiritual life, we received the “possibility” to return to our pre-Fall condition. But though the BHS awakens a new spiritual being, that new being remains separate from us. Thus we have difficulty understanding it and working with it.

However, if we find a way to break free of our physical bonds, we can then join with our spiritual self:

the two will become one! We’ll then begin growing into what we were meant to be.

Take an example from Moses’ sanctuary. It consisted of two rooms — the ‘Holy Place’ and the ‘Most Holy Place’. They were both contained within the same structure but separated by a veil between them. Consider the Holy Place to be our physical self, and the Most Holy Place to be our spiritual self. As in the Biblical Sanctuary services, we have access to the one every day; but access to the other is limited to only special occasions which are few and far between.

When Jesus died on the Cross, completing His mission, the Veil in the Temple was torn in two. This symbolized that He had succeeded in making it possible for the two areas to be reunited. Reunification does not come automatically and with no effort on our part; merely a possibility has been opened to us.

When the veil was opened, there were no longer two rooms; they became one big room. Similarly, when we tear open the veil dividing the physical and the spiritual, we too will no longer have separate identities in each realm; but instead the two will become a single identity. That complete person, restored to the pre-Fall condition, will then be able to do what humans were designed to do from the start — rule our environment. That is: heal the sick, cast out demons, move mountains into the sea; and everything else we imagine.

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IV: FURTHER SUPPORT

Next I’d like to introduce you to some spiritual writings outside the Bible. Some of you may be aware that there are ancient religious texts which do not appear in the Protestant version of the Bible. For others of you, this may be the first you’re hearing of them.

The Bible that most of you know consists of 66 books, written by dozens of different authors over several thousand years. But this current collection wasn’t finally agreed upon until the mid-16^th century. At that time there were many other books and writings which were considered important, and even inspired, but which weren’t included in the official Bible for various reasons.

The extra books have value to the religious scholar, even if they aren’t considered part of the Sacred Canon. This is because these books often discuss things which aren’t covered extensively in the main Scriptures.

Before you get too alarmed, however, consider how we typically accept the writings of other religious authors; we just give them a different weight. For example, if we come across an article in a current religious magazine, we may read it to see what insights it may contain. Likewise, as we read books from spiritual writers of the 19^th century, we’re able to benefit from them despite their not being on the same level as the Bible.

Therefore I ask that you be open to what we may learn from the older religious texts. A couple of the ones I’ll reference were written in the First Century by the early Christians, for the early Christians, and about the early Christians. These are the Gospel of Philip and the Gospel of Thomas. Another is much older and is actually accepted as Sacred Canon by many denominations. This is the Book of Enoch.

The reason I wish to examine these texts is because we need to find more information about Baptism with Fire than is available in the Protestant Bible. We don’t have to accept these books on the same level; but we can search them for whatever enlightenment they may contain on our subject of study.

The Gospel of Thomas states, “When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the Living Father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty.”

This is saying that we must know who we really are in the Kingdom of Heaven. We must understand our identity both physically and spiritually. This concept was an important part of my earlier talk; hopefully you were able to grasp it, and have been seeking to apply it.

You might also recognize in this text a similarity to the passage in Revelation 3:17 which says, “You think you are rich, … but you don’t know that you’re really wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”. It is an unfortunate effect of our limited physical condition that we find it very hard to recognize our true state. Thus our great need of connecting with our spiritual self, so we may better realize the truth.

The Gospel of Philip also has an interesting observation. It says, “Truth did not come into the world naked, but it came in types and images. The world will not receive truth in any other way.”

This mention of the Truth of God puts us in mind of verses we’ve read in the Bible. In John 4:24, Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and His worshippers must worship Him in the Spirit and in Truth.” And in 1Jn 5:6,

John tells us, “The Spirit is the Truth.” So we must understand the Truth if we are to unite with God.

The Gospel of Philip also says of Truth: “Names given to the worldly are very deceptive, for they divert our thoughts from what is correct to what is incorrect. Thus one who hears the word ‘God’ does not perceive what is correct, but perceives what is incorrect. So also with ‘the Father’ and ‘the Son’ and ‘the Holy Spirit’ and ‘life’ and ‘light’ and ‘resurrection’ and ‘the Church’ and all the rest — people do not perceive what is correct, but they perceive what is incorrect, unless they have come to know what is correct. The names which are heard in the world … deceive. … But Truth brought names into existence in the world for our sakes, because it is not possible to learn Truth without these names.”

“The Word said, ‘If you know the truth, the truth will make you free’ (Jn 8:32). Ignorance is a slave. Knowledge is freedom. If we know the truth, we shall find the fruits of the truth within us. If we are joined to Truth, it will bring our fulfillment.”

Here again is stressed the importance of knowing the Truth. The truth about God; the truth about ourselves; the truth about our relationship with Him. And there is far more of truth that we don’t yet know than we even perceive there to be.

Next there is a crucial concept presented in the Book of Enoch regarding what it means to come into unity with God. Citing from Chapter 70, “My spirit was concealed, and ascended into the heavens. … Then I fell upon my face, while all my flesh was dissolved, and my spirit became changed. … Then the Ancient of Days came to me, and with his voice saluted me, saying, thou art the offspring of man, who are born for righteousness, and righteousness has rested on thee. The righteousness of the Ancient of Days shall not forsake thee.”

This passage provides an interesting description of someone’s experience with entering the spiritual realm and visiting Heaven. Adding this description to what Paul said about his instance of the same event gives us a little better idea of what it’s like. Moving beyond the physical and into the spiritual involves feelings and perceptions unlike any we’re familiar with. And yet, we must be able to receive these new events if we are to grow into our full status, as our Father intends.

This involves seeking to know God better; not merely as we like to envision Him, but as He truly is. This can only happen if we are willing to accept new ideas, new definitions of truth. As we’ve read, what we understand by the words ‘Father’, ‘Son’, ‘Holy Spirit’, ‘life’, ‘death’, and all the rest is incorrect. Unfortunately we need to begin with these flawed concepts in order to be made able to accept the reality when it finally comes.

Up until now, we’ve only been able to think in physical terms. This is because we haven’t worked to understand the spiritual realm, despite a new spirit being born in us. When we received the BHS, we accepted and enjoyed the physical manifestations it gave us. But we stopped there, and didn’t use it to move into a greater understanding of the spiritual realm. Now we’re in the position of having to work hard and struggle to catch up to where we need to be.

We must now commit to pursuing that which we’ve neglected. But the good news is, since this is what God has been wanting us to do, He will be helping a great deal to get us where He means us to be.

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V: USING IT

Finally, I’d like to speak a little about what using our new nature will be like. In my earlier presentation I spoke of how we must come to understand that God is in us. That when the Holy Spirit entered us it was essentially Jesus entering and becoming a part of us. Our spiritual self is the Spirit of Jesus in us. And He dwells there with all of His power and authority. Further, He’s trying to get us to understand and accept that He wants our awareness, our being, to unite with His; that we may be one with Him.

Once we come to this level of relationship, then we may come into a correct understanding of a Bible instruction which is grossly misconstrued by nearly every Christian today. Colossians 3:17 (NIV) says, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” There are also many other texts which mention speaking in Jesus’ name. [Ep 5:20. Ac 3:6. Ac 3:16. Ac 19:13. Ac 9:28. Ac 4:30. 2Th 3:6. 1Co 1:2. Ja 5:14.]

Unfortunately, Christians today don’t understand this at all! They think of it only as a formula to be added to their prayers. They say, “Our Heavenly Father” … “In Jesus’ name” … “Amen”; as if these are some kind of magical words which will give their prayer a greater chance of actually being granted. Others repeat it as a rote, something required to be said, even though they say it without meaning.

However, the true significance of speaking in Jesus’ name is to be so united with Him in spirit that you know when you are speaking, it’s actually Him speaking. A new spirit has been placed in me which is a part of God; now I must unite with it so that it’s an integral part of me. He is in me, and I am in Him. When He speaks, I speak; and when I speak, it’s also Him speaking. Remember the text in 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV), “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.”

But this is where we are having trouble! We can’t quite get to where we know we’re speaking as Him. Yet we mustn’t give up. We must learn to recognize the spiritual realm; must learn to operate within it; must find how to connect with the Spirit of Jesus so closely that we become ‘one with Him’!

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CLOSE

We have been told that Jesus will give us the Baptism with Fire. This is also referred to as the Second Pentecost and the Latter Rain. We’ve now seen how this experience bears similarity to the Disciples’ experience at the First Pentecost, the Early Rain; is similar to Jesus’ transfiguration, as well as Moses’ radiance; similar to the presence of God as manifest in the Burning Bush and above the Mercy Seat; and ultimately similar to the pre-Fall luminance of Adam & Eve.

Adam & Eve were initially given the presence of God within themselves; and more than this, were able to unite with God such that His power and authority was available to them as they governed their appointed domain. By sinning they lost God’s presence within and lost much of their power and ability. That diminished state was then passed to their descendants.

Jesus’ sacrifice made it possible for us to be returned to that pre-Fall condition; and His ministry gave us an example of how to do so. Therefore, those who earnestly seek this can receive it. But we must make deliberate effort to re-learn the nature of the spiritual realm — to develop our spiritual senses; to expand our spiritual awareness; to regain use of our spiritual abilities.

We have also learned that this former state and the spiritual realm are so foreign to what we’re used to that we must re-examine our concepts about God and Truth. We’ve lived in a lie for so long that God’s Truth is almost incomprehensible.

We must ask God’s help even to comprehend what we’re to seek. More than this, we’re to ask His help to correct our concepts of Him. Our flawed ideas of who God is and what He’s able and willing to do in us are our biggest barrier to returning to Him.

That is, as we try to imagine becoming one with God to such a degree that we speak and act as Him, our mind boggles and rebels at the attempt. Yet we must persist. For only by seeing God’s Truth can we be transformed by it; transformed in both flesh and spirit.

To return to the analogy I used earlier. Our experience might be likened to Moses’ Tabernacle. Prior to encountering God, our being is similar to the Holy Place, and nothing else. As a person with no God, we’re just an empty shell; a body of dirt. When we accept Jesus and are Baptized with Water, we become filled with new purpose and meaning. If we continue on, we receive Baptism with the Holy Spirit; and having God’s Spirit enter us, our being gains an additional nature. As if our old home had a new room addition built on. Now our structure consists of two parts; yet they remain separated by a veil. Only by tearing open the veil and uniting the two areas into one, can we reach our full stature. But if we can learn how to access the spiritual realm and become restored to a dual-nature being, we then receive Baptism with Fire to indicate our unity with God.

Let’s look at an old Bible verse, but in a new light. 1 Cr 13:10 & 12 (KJV), “When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” … “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as also I am known.”

Consider this text in light of today’s message regarding uniting our physical and spiritual identities. “When that which is perfect is come”, that is, when we are finally united into a complete being; then all that is imperfect will be gone. Now all that we see and know is viewed as, “through a glass, darkly”; but then — then when the veil is opened and we can perceive both realms fully — we shall see God, “face to face” … and shall, “know even as I am known”.

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