Have you ever tried to tell someone something unusual that you saw or heard, only to have them scoff at you?  Or have them say something like, "That could never happen. You're kidding  me."

John--Jesus' disciple--was in that position.  He had news so spectacular, so unbelievable, that he could hardly wait to share it.  And rather than just give his own account, he testified that he was not the only one who had seen it.  Heard it.  Touched it.  That the event was "Manifested" to others besides him.

"For the Life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show to you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us"  1 John 1:2  John continues giving his bona fides.  He states that he--and all of the other disciples (we),  have seen Jesus--who was in heaven with God, and who came to earth in physical form.   He tells us that Jesus is life.  Eternal life itself.

Spectacular news.  John can hardly contain himself.  He wants the whole world to know what has happened.  What he has witnessed.  What he has heard, seen, and touched.  He wants everyone--and that includes you and me--to be aware of this historic event.  So he continues:

"That which we have seen and heard, we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."

John wants you and me, and the entire world to be one fellowship of believers who can have personal fellowship with God.  With the risen Jesus.  The one who will give those who believe in him eternal life.  I am reminded of a verse written by John in his Gospel:  "In him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4  Knowing Jesus is like walking into a dark room and turning on the light.

We get life.  Life eternal.  That is hope.  He is our hope.  It happened, and those who were there, and saw it, gave their lives to spread the word to the world.  Nothing has ever been the same.