The Glory Of God

August 2, 2009

What is God’s glory?

Sometimes we get a limited view of the glory of God.

Let’s read about the dedication of King Solomon’s temple

2 Chronicles 7:1-2

When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house.(NKJV)

We see here the glory of the Lord filled the temple and the priest could not enter because of His glory.

Exodus 40:34

Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.(NKJV)

Sometimes we get a view of the glory of God as something He dispenses at certain times.

I believe His glory is inseparable from who He is.

The glory of God is impossible for our finite minds to explain or understand.

God created the heavens and the earth---He is the source of all life and energy

God is perfect in every detail.

Omnipresent ---- existing everywhere

Omnipotent ---possessing unlimited power

Omniscient --- all knowing

God’s glory is perpetual energy or self-producing energy which radiates His unbelievable beauty.

Because of the inherent nature of who He is ---His being radiates His glory.

Let’s look at the bible words for glory

Glory Overhead

Hebrew-Kabowd Honor, glorious, abundance, splendor

Greek – Doxa Honor, splendor, brightness, preeminence

The Hebrew word Kabowd also means to be heavy or weighty

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.(NKJV)

There is a brilliance and splendor about the glory of God.

His glory is inseparable from who He is.

When we experience His manifest glory we experience Him.

Psalm 104:1-2

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.(NKJV)

As best as David could describe here God is invested with light.

Remember that pure light is the containment of the entire color spectrum

Color

When primary colors red, blue and yellow are added together we get white light

The godhead is easily illustrated here------

A supreme brilliance radiating from His being.

1 Timothy 6:16

who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.(NKJV)

Are you getting a glimpse in your mind of the glory of God

His radiance----unapproachable light---extreme beauty, splendor and majesty

His glory supercedes to an infinite degree all attempts to contain or define Him in our understanding

When we speak of His glory we are speaking of the sum total of all His perfections, the uniqueness of His being, the totality of what distinguishes Him

Exodus 33:18

And Moses said, I beseech You, show me Your glory.(AMP)

Probably the greatest petition that man ever asked of God.

Surely when he spoke the request he must have shook to his very core.

What is God’s answer?

Exodus 33:19

Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."(NKJV)

God tells him He will make all His goodness pass before him.

The glory emanates from His inherent goodness----inseparable

Let’s see how God does this.

Exodus 33:20-23

But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 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. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."(NKJV)

We see some basic instructions

You can’t see my face and live

You shall stand on the rock

I will put you in the cleft of the rock

Moses request is partially answered

Remember the rock in the wilderness was a type of Christ

As the rock in the wilderness was smitten a cleft in the rock opened up

Living water now flows from the rock ----Jesus Christ

God told Moses I will put you in the cleft of the Rock

Not only do we stand on the firm foundation ---the rock of Jesus Christ but we are hidden with Christ in God Colossions 3:3

Putting Moses in the cleft of the rock was a gracious concealment

The word Hebrews word Shekinah although not used in scripture

Is a word to describe the presence of God dwelling with man

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.(NKJV)

We could identify Jesus as the Shekinah of God.

The word dwelt here means tabernacled giving reference to the tabernacle of Moses.

With the tabernacle of Moses we see that God provided a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night

We also see that the Shekinah of God dwelt above the Cheribum.

Standing on the mercy seat----beholding the blood the finished work of Christ

Our heart are sprinkled from an evil conscience

Everything in the tabernacle represents Jesus.

But what about the Cheri bum?------New testament worshippers

As new testament worshippers we can experience the glory of God.

Remember that Satan always has a counterfeit.

The imitation glory is the gratification received from worshipping at the altars of idolatry.

Satan does not possess any glory-----he can only incite the gratification of the flesh

God is enthroned in praise according to Psalm 22:3----and certainly worship

Why would we want to experience God’s glory?

God speaks to us in the glory.

Prayers are answered in the glory.

Direction is given in the glory.

Deliverance is in the glory.

God’s glory and goodness flow out of us to minister to others.

Let’s read about the mount of transfiguration.

Matthew 17:2-3

and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.(NKJV)

He was having a discussion about Calvary with Moses and Elijah

As referred to in Luke 9:31

His glory was made manifest upon His face and clothing

This must have brought back memories to Moses.

They fall on their faces and Jesus tells them not to be afraid

Matthew 17:8

When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.(NKJV)

Jesus is the only mediator, the only prophet, priest or king

Imitation glory can bring pleasure but no happiness.

We need more God influence.

We need to experience more of His glory.

Worshipping is one of the best ways to experience Him.

If God made it available----He knows that I need it.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.(NKJV)

The word changed here in the Greek is metamorphoo {met-am-or-fo'-o}

To change into another form----He changed us to be more like Him by His Spirit

If Moses had never asked God to see His glory it would have never happened.

I’m reverently asking today----God show us more of your glory.