Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
that, when he shall appear: "Appear" is phaneroo and means "to be made manifest or visible" (Wuest, I John 139). Jesus is now invisible to His people, but there is coming a day, called "the day of the Lord" (2 Peter 3:10), when He shall be made visible in great glory and manifestation. John’s directions to these disciples to "abide in Him" are given in anticipation of the second coming of Christ.