The Glory of God

Few topics are more crucial or central to the doctrine and daily life of a believer than the Glory of God, understanding the Glory of God is one aspect we cannot miss, it is so central to scripture that the story of the Bible is in some sense the drama of God’s glory. The Bible records over 619 scriptures referring to the word Glory, the word Glory itself means magnificence or great beauty however when we have a closer look at what the Glory of God is we see that the word becomes more elaborate and its explanation expounds.

The primary Hebrew term for glory is kabod. This word stems from a root that means “weight” or “heaviness.” Depending on its form, it could have the sense of “honorable,” “dignified,” “exalted,” or “revered.” In a sense, God’s glory is the magnificence, worth, loveliness, and grandeur of his many perfections. Kenneth Copeland explains it by saying “The glory of God isn’t just a feeling, an event or an Old Testament experience—it’s a spiritual tsunami of everything contained in the character of God." The word glory is literally translated “heavyweight,” meaning the heaviest, biggest, grandest thing about someone.”

“The glory of God isn’t just a feeling, an event or an Old Testament experience—it’s a spiritual tsunami of everything contained in the character of God." - Kenneth Copeland

Dimensions of Glory:

1. Designation/Office

Glory is used as a designation for God himself. For example, Peter refers to God the Father as the “Majestic Glory” 2 Peter 1:17 "For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

2. Character/Essence of God

Glory is the essence of who God is, He is perfection, he is beauty in such a way that when anything that is imperfect comes into His presence, it is forced to change in His likeness of Glory. The psalmist refers to God as the King of Glory Psalm 24: 7-10 "Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory."

3. Glory as Gods presence

We also see scripture speak of the presence of the Lord as His Glory especially in the Exodus. The glory cloud, the manifestations to Moses and God’s presence in the tabernacle all highlight God’s covenant presence. Revelations 15:8 say’s "and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished"

Different manifestations of the Glory of God

1. We find the Glory of God in His creation

Psalm 19:1-4 says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands; day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world.”

2. Glory identified with Christ

John 1: 14-18 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

3. Glory identified as heaven

Psalm 73:24 calls heaven itself “glory.” You guide me with your counsel, and afterward, you will take me into glory." It used to be common to hear believers talk of death as being “received unto glory,” which is a phrase borrowed from this Psalm. When a bron again believer dies he will be taken into God’s presence, and in God's presence he will be surrounded by God’s glory. We will be taken to the place where God’s beauty literally resides—the beauty of His Spirit will be there because He will be there.

In closing your life should give Glory to God because God is then exhibited, known, rejoiced in, and prized.

Shalom: KayKing