Glory 101

Antonyms of the word glory

Shame, disgrace, dishonor (Hos 4:7; Hab 2:16; 1Co 15:43)

How did the Adam’s race fall short of it?

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom 3:23

God’s will for the fallen mankind

• God desires to invite all peoples on earth to his presence and share in His glory. Referring to this will of God, 1Th 2:12 says, “God calls you into his kingdom and his glory.”
• The reason for the above is embedded in the way God made man and woman, as is written in 1Co 11:7, “man is the image and glory of God, woman the glory of man.”
• The Apostle Peter says, “The God of grace called you to his eternal glory.” 1Pe 5:10

What did God do to restore man back to his glory?

•  God sent his son Jesus Christ the sinless Lamb of God who offered himself as an atoning sacrifice to take away the sins of the world, so in Jesus Christ, man can enter God’s glory. Speaking of this transaction Jesus said, “Did not Christ have to suffer and then enter his glory?” Luke 24:26
• By receiving Jesus Christ, the Son, and believing in Him, we can reach the glorious state so we can see Jesus the Son - the radiance of God’s glory. Heb 1:3
• When one sincerely turns away from wickedness and believes in the Son, the Son works in him so that with unveiled face the child reflects the Lord’s glory. 2Co 3:18
• For the same reason Jesus the Lord and Savior said to Martha, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe you will see the glory?” John 11:40
• When one remains in Jesus, when Christ, who is his life, appears, he also will appear with Jesus in glory. Col 3:4
• For the reasons stated above, Isaiah says, “Your God will be your glory.” Isaiah 60:19

The Purpose of Man’s life

• God saves his children for his glory, as is written, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7
• When Jesus came, he set the example, that is, by completing the work he was sent to do, he brought glory to God. John 17:4
• Similarly, Jesus said to his disciples, “It is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit.” John 15:8
• WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM Q. 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

Levels of glory

• The glory reflected on the face of Moses is fading glory, whereas the glory that is reflected on the face of a believer in the Lord the administrator of the new covenant is eternal glory (2Co4:17; 1Pe 5:10) (or everlasting glory, or surpassing glory). 2Co 3:10
• Man’s glory who does not know the Lord is of temporary existence just like the glory of the flowers of the field. But believers living under the new covenant (based on the blood of Jesus) are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2Co 3:18

Functions of the glory

• God adorns himself with His glory. Job 40:10
• Through the glory of the Father a believer lives a new life in the Lord. Romans 6:4
• This glory assures a believer to joyfully participate in the sufferings of the Lord as the Lord’s witness, as the Apostle Paul says, “Present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18), or “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an everlasting glory that far outweighs them all.” 2Co 4:17
• This glory can enter and depart from human body (1Sa 4:22;Ezekiel 10:4, 18; 43:4).
• For the same reason Psalm 8:1 states that the glory “dwells” (in a bodily form) in a man (or sanctuary). Exodus 40:34
• It is the source of the essential force (or energy) of life, keeping man strong and vigorous as is written, “The glory of young men is their strength” or “the glory will be a canopy.” (Pro 20:29; Isaiah 4:5)
• In case of the Israelites journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land, the glory of the Lord provided for them protection and provision for 40 years. Neh 9:19; Deu 8:4
• While Jesus himself is the radiance of Gods’ glory, it is in this glory that Jesus was taken up (to heaven). 1Ti 3:16

Who will miss out/lose the glory?

• Anyone who is ashamed of Jesus and his words will. Luke 9:26 

Who saw God’s glory

• The Apostle John says "We have seen the glory of the One and Only Son of God." John 1:14
• Stephen the first martyr saw the glory of God before his departure from his body (Acts 7:55).

Some Exhibits 

• The Prophet Ezekiel saw ‘the appearance of the likeness’ of the glory of the Lord in Ezekiel 1:28.
• Our Lord Jesus who is the radiance of God’s glory showed to Peter, John, and James on the Mt. of transfiguration his glorious state. Luke 9:32
• After rising from the dead Jesus is now seated on his throne in his glory. Mat 25:31
• The holy city, the New Jerusalem, shines with the glory of God, where the glory of God gives it light. Rev 21:11,23