God's overwhelming glory

God also revealed His glory in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34). The tabernacle included the holy of holies, which contained the ark of the covenant. On the top of the ark was the mercy seat, where the high priest sprinkled blood once a year as an atonement for the sins of the people.

It was on the mercy seat that the Shekinah of God dwelt or tabernacled, for God said to Moses,

“There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel” (25:22).

Another reminder to the people of God’s glory was the encampment of Israel during the forty years of wandering. Whenever the people stopped to set up camp, the priests were to be the closest to the tabernacle. Just beyond the priests were the Levitic families while the rest of the twelve tribes made up the outer ring. The tabernacle was located in the exact centre of the tribes.

Why such an arrangement? It was to help the people focus on the glory of God in their midst. The glory would rise to the sky when He wanted them to move, and it would descend when He wanted them to camp.

GOD’S GLORY IN THE TEMPLE

After Solomon completed the temple, which was a permanent structure to replace the tabernacle,

“The cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord” (1 Kings 8:10–11).

The temple was a magnificent edifice, unequalled in the world. From it, God was again saying to the people, “See My glory. Focus on it. Recognize who I am, and give Me proper reverence and worship.”

Although the temple was built to glorify God, the people did not honour Him as they should have. That was especially evident in the days of Ezekiel the prophet. In an amazing vision, he details the pagan idolatry he witnessed taking place in the temple (Ezek. 8:2–17). The nation had gone rapidly downhill from the days of Solomon.

Because of the people’s sin and refusal to repent, God removed His glory from the temple. The departure was progressive but total. At first, His glory departed briefly to the doorway of the temple, but then returned to its customary place at the mercy seat (Ezek. 9:3).

It departed once again to the doorway, but this time it did not return (10:4). From the doorway, it moved to the courtyard (v. 18). Borne on the wings of angels, God’s glory then moved to the gate on the east side of the temple.

Finally, it “went up from the midst of the city, and stood over the mountain which is east of the city” (11:23). 

It was evident for all to see: God was abandoning His city because of its sin. Written over Israel was the word Ichabod, which means “the glory has departed.” 

GOD’S GLORY IN JESUS CHRIST

The Gospel of John begins:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (1:1, 14). 

But when Jesus Christ came into the world, His glory was veiled. He was among men, but most didn’t know who He was. Isaiah prophesied, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him” (Isa. 53:2, NIV).

Christ told His disciples, however, that in His second coming,

“The Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father” (Matt. 16:27). That is, there will be a full display of His divine attributes. His blazing, unveiled glory will light up the whole universe. 

Undoubtedly, Christ’s promise for the future comforted the disciples, yet He knew they needed encouragement here and now. Therefore, He said,

“There are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (16:28). 

The Greek word translated “kingdom” speaks of regal splendour and royal majesty. Three of the disciples were about to have a private showing of Christ’s glory.

Six days later Jesus brought Peter, James, and John to a high mountain and “was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light” (17:2).

His form totally changed. The glory of God radiated from the inside out, the light within Him being as brilliant as the sun.

Years later Peter testified, “We did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). 

John was referring to the same thing when he said, “We beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father” (John 1:14). What did those disciples see?

The blazing glory of God!
Presently the glory of God is displayed in the church.

“To [God] be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever,” said Paul (Eph. 3:21). 

The indwelling Christ is the hope of glory for every believer (Col. 1:27).

God “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor. 4:6–7).

Our purpose in life is not to live for ourselves, but to radiate God’s glory. “Whether . . . you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,” said Paul (1 Cor. 10:31). That’s a verse to live by.

Author: J. MacArthur