Let us look at what GLORY is, and what it isn’t. We will consider why the GLORY OF GOD is so important to Him, and to us.
Jesus is our GLORY and the lifter of our head! (Psalm 3:3) The Psalmist said, “In God is my salvation and my GLORY!” (Psalm 62:7). Jesus is alive within us, changing us from GLORY TO GLORY, by His Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
Ultimately, at the glorious appearing of Jesus when He comes again, when we see Him, we will be like Him. (I John 3:2) That is exciting to anticipate! Having a glorified body like Jesus will be totally awesome!
We are instructed to glory in the Lord! (2 Corinthians 10:17) As we see in Jeremiah 9:23-24, the Lord says “let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight.”
colossians 1:27
To them God willed to make known what are the RICHES OF THE GLORY of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the HOPE OF GLORY.
Psalm 3:3
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, MY GLORY and the One who lifts up my head.
jesus is worthy to receive glory
John saw a vision of heaven. The angels and all of creation was giving GLORY to the Lamb…
revelation 5:12,13
…saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and GLORY and blessing!” 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and GLORY and power be to Him who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”and ever!”
illustrations of the glory of god
When the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt – He showed them HIS GLORY over and over in the wilderness.
The GLORY cloud of His presence gave them direction and protection. It manifested as a cloudy pillar during the day, and a pillar of fire at night.
His GLORY filled the tabernacle
EXODUS 40:34,35
Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the GLORY OF THE LORD filled the tabernacle.And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the GLORY OF THE LORD filled the tabernacle.
THE GLORY OF THE LORD FILLED THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON
I KINGS 8:11
Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the GLORY OF THE LORD filled the tabernacle.And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the GLORY OF THE LORD filled the tabernacle.
GLORY REVEALED TO MOSES
Moses (friend of God) – “Please, show me your GLORY”…
exodus 33:18-22
…And He (the Lord) said, I will make my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you: and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.22) So it shall be, while MY GLORY passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.
GLORY REVEALED TO DAVID
King David (man after God’s own heart) had a special revelation of God’s glory. There are many references to it in the Psalms. Here is one of them…
PSALM 24:10
Who is this KING OF GLORY? The Lord of hosts, He is the KING OF GLORY. Selah
glory revealed to solomon
King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived (apart from Jesus himself).
PROVERBS 3:35
The WISE SHALL INHERIT GLORY, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
PROVERBS 4:9
She (wisdom) will place on your head an ornament of grace; A CROWN OF GLORY she will deliver to you.
ISAIAH’S VISION OF THE THRONE
ISAIAH 6:1-3
I saw the Lord, sitting upon the throne… above it stood the seraphims. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is FULL OF HIS GLORY!”
prophetic word
Numbers 14:20-21
The Lord said… But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the GLORY OF THE LORD!
isaiah 40:5
The GLORY OF THE LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
EZEKIEL’S VISION OF THE GLORY OF GOD
Ezekiel saw a vision of GOD’S GLORY and described it… (Ezekiel 1)
daniel’s vision of the glory of god
daniel 7:13,14
“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and GLORY and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
GLORY OF JESUS
GLORY was a very important focus of Jesus life and ministry.
john 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld HIS GLORY, the GLORY as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
The lord’s prayer
Matthew 6:13
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the GLORY forever. Amen
jesus overcame the devil
When tempted by the devil, Jesus overcame His lies and deception with the truth of God’s Word, and by confessing His commitment to only worship and glorify His Father.
MATTHEW 4:8-10; LUKE 4:6-8
And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their GLORY; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY you shall serve.’ ”
paul’s revelation of god’s glory
Paul had many insights about God’s GLORY. Here is one of them…
provision of all needs
philippians 4:19-20
And my God shall supply all your need according to His RICHES IN GLORY by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father BE GLORY FOREVER and ever. Amen.
signs, wonders and miracles
John 2:11
This beginning of miracles (signs) Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested HIS GLORY; and His disciples believed in Him.
john 11:40
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the GLORY OF GOD?”
romans 4:20-21
(Abraham demonstrated steadfast faith, and experienced a miracle) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, GIVING GLORY TO GOD… being fully persuaded that what He (God) had promised, he was able also to perform…
stephen’s vision of heaven
THE GOD OF GLORY
acts 7:2,55
And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The GOD OF GLORY appeared to our father Abraham…But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the GLORY OF GOD, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
jesus is our glory
Simeon had a prophetic Word over Jesus when he was dedicated in the temple…
LUKE 2:32
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And THE GLORY of Your people Israel.”
ROMANS 11:36
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, TO WHOM BE GLORY FOREVER. Amen.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:17
But “he who GLORIES, let him GLORY IN THE LORD.”
THE GOSPEL REVEALS GLORY
Jesus birth announcement; Jesus life and ministry (glorified the Father); His death and resurrection; His 2nd Coming…
Luke 2:8,9,14,32 – Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the GLORY OF THE LORD shone around them, and they were greatly afraid….“GLORY TO GOD in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
jesus is our hope of glory
He is our blessed, glorious hope; when we see Him we will be like Him; He is our eternal hope of GLORY…
Visions of heaven (not only in Scripture, but many other current visions)…
do everything for god’s glory
i corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do ALL to the GLORY OF GOD.
importance of glory
When we rebelliously choose not to glorify the Lord, it is a very serious offense to God!
Romans 1:18-32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,… 21 because, although they knew God, THEY DID NOT GLORIFY HIM AS GOD, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools…24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, …to vile passions. in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
WHAT IS GLORY?
It is helpful for us to understand what it is, and what it isn’t…
LIGHT; BEAUTY; TRUTH; VICTORY; JOY AND REJOICING; STRENGTH; HONOR AND WORSHIP; HOLINESS; MAJESTY; POWER; EXALTATION AND HEADSHIP; DOMINION; SALVATION; RIGHTEOUSNESS; FEAR OF THE LORD; HONOR; PRAISE & THANKSGIVING; ETC…
GLORY IS COLORFUL
EZEKIEL 1:28
Like the APPEARANCE OF A RAINBOW in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the GLORY OF THE LORD.
RAINBOW GLORY AROUND THE THRONE OF GOD
REVELATION 4:2-4
…behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a RAINBOW ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE, in sight like unto an emerald.
BEARING MUCH FRUIT
JOHN 15:8
By this My Father is GLORIFIED, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING GLORIFIES THE LORD
PSALM 50:23
Whoever offers praise GLORIFIES Me;…
Other translations – “He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me;/ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me…”
FILLED WITH FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
PHILIPPIANS 1:11
…being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the GLORY AND PRAISE OF GOD.
OPPOSITE OF GLORY
SHAME; DARKNESS; EVIL; SIN; LIES;DISHONOR; HYPOCRISY; DECEPTION; ETC…
CREATED TO GLORIFY GOD
2 PETER 1:3
… as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who CALLED US TO GLORY and virtue…
REVELATION 4:11; 5:12
“You are worthy, O Lord, To RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR and power; for You created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created… saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and HONOR AND GLORY and blessing!”
ISAIAH 43:7
Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have CREATED FOR MY GLORY; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
MANY SONS TO GLORY
HEBREWS 2:9,10
But we see Jesus… CROWNED WITH GLORY AND HONOR, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone… for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing MANY SONS TO GLORY, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
SIN IS NOT GLORY
ROMANS 3:23; 6:23
…for all have sinned and fall short of the GLORY OF GOD… the wages (consequences) of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
JESUS AS LORD BRINGS GLORY
PHILIPPIANS 2:11
…and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the GLORY OF GOD the Father.
jesus is coming for a glorious church
Ephesians 5:25
…that He might present her to Himself A GLORIOUS CHURCH, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
what does a glorious church look like?
A VICTORIOUS, OVERCOMING CHURCH – (We are “more than conquerors”)
A POWERFUL CHURCH – (Bold, filled with life and light)
A HOLY CHURCH – (Cleansed by the blood)
A WORSHIPPING CHURCH – (Filled with praise & thanksgiving)
A TRUE AND FAITHFUL CHURCH – (Faithful servants of God)
A JOYFUL CHURCH – (Happy, Spirit-filled, and fruitful)
A PREPARED CHURCH – (Living in readiness for His return)
practical application
Whatever we do, whatever we say, whoever we are, and wherever we go – let everything be to the GLORY OF GOD!
Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and GLORIFY YOUR FATHER in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
