The Beatific Vision is the direct, unmediated sight of God enjoyed by the redeemed in the new creation. It is the ultimate end of the Christian life and the summit of human happiness. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12). The Reformed tradition has sometimes downplayed this doctrine out of fear of mysticism, but Scripture insists on it: the goal of redemption is not a pleasant afterlife but an undimmed sight of God Himself. Everything in this life that was beautiful was a shadow of Him; everything we loved, a trace of Him. When we finally see Him, every longing will be satisfied and every question answered in the light of His face. This is the hope that sustains the martyr and the widow and the sufferer: one day, we shall see Him.