So many things come to mind when we talk about glory. We have an idea based on what we have experienced. The English dictionary states it is high renown, or honor, won by notable achievements, such as a soldier returning home after he had saved the lives of others. It is praise, honor, or distinction given by common consent.
Whatever you think of when you see the word glory, the most significant use of this word is its application to God. In this idea, it is the external manifestation of His being. However, in its more fundamental sense, He has glory prior to any external manifestation of it. In Exodus 33:18-23, Moses is speaking with God. Moses asks to see God’s glory, but God tells him that no man can see it and live. He allows him to see his back as he passes by, but not His face.
Exodus 33:22-23 “And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.”
In John 17:5, Jesus is speaking to His Father and asks for God to glorify Him with the glory He had before the world was created.
John 17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
In Matthew 25:31, Jesus is talking about his return to this earth. At that time, he will be in His glory. When speaking here in Matthew 25, many still don’t understand who he really is. Most see him as a man, a good prophet, or someone interesting to listen to.
Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:”
He is trying to teach them about future events, so they will be prepared for them, but just like many today they are steeped in their own way of thinking and they will not listen. They have never climbed down off the throne of their lives and given Christ His proper honor and glory. He is trying to teach them that he is the King of Kings, the King of the universe, the one who will return in a glorified body one day.
In Acts 1:11, they had just watched Jesus taken up into the Heavens. While they were awestruck and speechless, two angles spoke the following words to them.
Act 1:11 “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Do you understand that he is due all glory and honor above everything else in life? He is the master of the universe. He is the final judge, the King, the one who is in charge, no matter what you think about Him, or how you think it should be, it doesn’t change who He is, nor how it will be. One day “real glory” will be given to Him by everyone.
Will you give Him real glory now? He is worthy of all we can give plus more. Do not make the mistake of many who have brought God down to their level, and interpret who he is, according to the understanding they get from this world. Get in the Bible and find out who he is as defined by himself. When you get a clear picture of His power, His presence, His love, His mercy, and His grace, you can’t help but glorify Him and praise Him.
It is your choice! But, make no mistake your ideas do not change who he is. What you think does not change what will be. I can think the sun is purple, but that does not make it purple. We must accept and glorify Him for who He is. Search Him out and you will find the most glorious loving God who knows you already, and wants you to know him! You cannot express the “real glory” until you know the one worthy of it.
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