What other biblical instances show God's glory filling a place? Setting the Scene in 2 Chronicles 7:2 “The priests were not able to enter the house of the LORD because the glory of the LORD had filled it.” God’s glory so overwhelmed Solomon’s new temple that even the ordained ministers could not cross the threshold. Scripture records several similar moments when His manifest presence filled space so completely that human activity halted, awe set in, and God alone was exalted. At the Wilderness Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35) • “Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” • Moses himself “could not enter.” • First time Israel saw the “filling” glory after the covenant was ratified—proof that God accepted both the tabernacle and the people. Dedication of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 8:10-11) • Parallels 2 Chronicles 7. • “The cloud filled the house of the LORD… for the glory of the LORD filled the house.” • Priesthood again immobilized, underscoring that worship is initiated by God’s presence, not human performance. Ezekiel’s Visions—Glory Departing and Returning 1. Departure (Ezekiel 10:4; 11:23) – Temple and courtyard “filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD” before the glory reluctantly left because of national sin. 2. Return (Ezekiel 43:4-5) – “The glory of the LORD entered the temple… and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.” – Signals future restoration; God will again dwell in the midst of a cleansed people. Isaiah’s Throne-Room Encounter (Isaiah 6:1-4) • “The train of His robe filled the temple… the whole earth is full of His glory.” • Posts shook, house filled with smoke—same sensory language as Exodus and 1 Kings. • Isaiah’s commission flows directly from being overpowered by divine glory. Bethlehem’s Hillside (Luke 2:9) • “The glory of the Lord shone around” the shepherds. • Open field became a sanctuary; ordinary laborers experienced the same enveloping radiance once limited to tabernacle and temple. The Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:32) • Disciples “saw His glory.” • Earthly mountain turned into a glowing tabernacle—Moses and Elijah appear, cloud descends, Father speaks. Stephen’s Final Vision (Acts 7:55) • “Saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” • Public court transformed into a holy place; martyrdom framed by unveiled glory. Heavenly Temple Filled (Revelation 15:8) • “The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God… no one could enter.” • Echoes Exodus and Chronicles, but on a cosmic scale as final judgments commence. New Jerusalem’s Constant Radiance (Revelation 21:23) • “The city has no need of sun or moon… the glory of God illumines the city.” • Not a momentary filling—God’s glory becomes the everlasting atmosphere of redeemed life. Why These Scenes Matter • They affirm God’s desire to dwell tangibly among His people. • Each “filling” either inaugurates a fresh stage in redemptive history or signals judgment/restoration. • From the mobile tent to the eternal city, Scripture presents a single trajectory: God bringing His glory ever closer until it permeates all creation. |
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