Who deserves all the glory?

Definition of “Glory”

In common usage, “glory” refers to the highest honor, majesty, and admiration bestowed on a person or entity. In biblical terms, glory points to the infinite splendor, holiness, and worthiness of the One who deserves the ultimate praise. Scriptural usage underlines that this concept of glory is inseparable from divine attributes such as omnipotence, omniscience, and moral perfection. It carries the idea of weightiness—an intrinsic value and magnificence found in the Creator alone.

Scriptural Foundations

Scripture consistently teaches that glory belongs to the eternal, sovereign Creator. As the Berean Standard Bible states in 1 Chronicles 16:29, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.” These words emphasize that praise and honor should be directed toward the LORD (Yahweh).

Old Testament Affirmations

Genesis 1:1 begins with, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” launching the biblical narrative by underscoring His role as the all-powerful Creator. The Exodus account (Exodus 14 and 15) vividly illustrates God’s power and deliverance, culminating in worshipful declarations of His glory. For instance, Exodus 15:11 proclaims, “Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?”

The Psalms repeatedly call for all creation to declare God’s glory. Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Such poetry links the majesty of the universe with a Designer worthy of ultimate honor. Furthermore, Psalm 29:2 reads, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.” This unifying theme recurs through the Old Testament—Yahweh alone deserves the fullest adoration.

New Testament Testimony

The New Testament continues this foundational truth. In John 1:14, referring to Jesus Christ, we read, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Here, glory is clearly associated with Christ’s divine nature. Jesus Himself says in John 17:4, “I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.” The consistent message is that all glory flows from and returns to God the Father, and Christ participates fully in this because He is of the same eternal Being.

Additionally, the apostle Paul affirms in Romans 11:36, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” This summary highlights God’s sovereignty and shows that everything, including human life and redemption, is ultimately sourced in and aimed at God.

Evidence from Creation

Natural observations throughout geology, biology, and cosmology affirm details consistent with an intricately designed universe. The complexity of DNA, for instance, is frequently cited in works promoting intelligent design—demonstrating specified information that points to an intelligent source. Researchers have noted that DNA’s multi-layered coding system defies random chance, underscoring that there is an Author behind life’s complexity.

Fossil records, when explored from a perspective that includes a catastrophic event, align with a rapid burial process capable of forming the large-scale fossil layers seen worldwide. Such phenomena conform with a worldview in which a single catastrophic Flood, as documented in Genesis 6–9, provides a better explanation than slow uniformitarian processes for the widespread distribution of fossil strata. This evidence upholds the idea that the creative and sustaining power behind the universe belongs to an eternal God worthy of all glory.

Fulfillment in Christ

Christ’s resurrection stands as the ultimate confirmation of His divine identity. In Mark 16 and 1 Corinthians 15, we find that the bodily resurrection is grounded in multiple eyewitness accounts, many of whom remained alive at the time these accounts were recorded, thereby allowing direct verification. The resurrection proves Christ’s authority over life and death, confirming that He, alongside the Father and the Holy Spirit, is indeed the source of salvation and is worthy of glory.

Historically, writers such as the Jewish historian Josephus and the Roman historian Tacitus alluded to the existence and crucifixion of Jesus, corroborating key aspects of the Gospels. These corroborations point to the historical reliability of biblical events and further bolster the foundation that the glory belongs to God for orchestrating redemption.

Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

Ancient documents, including myriad Greek manuscripts, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and early papyrus fragments, show remarkable consistency with the biblical text. Archaeological finds such as the Tel Dan Stele (mentioning the “House of David”), and the Pilate Stone (confirming Pontius Pilate as a historical figure) confirm important historical figures from Scripture.

These discoveries, drawn from numerous digs and scholarly research, consistently corroborate key details of biblical narratives. Their authenticity, combined with the wide geographic distribution of these manuscripts, speaks to the reliability of Scripture. This consistent alignment of archaeological and historical evidence directs glory to the God who inspired and safeguarded His word.

Practical Implications

Since God alone is infinitely worthy of glory, all human efforts and pursuits ultimately find their highest meaning when they are directed toward honoring Him. In everyday life, worship extends beyond singing or corporate gatherings; it includes how one lives, serves others, and stewardships resources. First Corinthians 10:31 affirms, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.”

This principle resonates in personal transformation and in societal impact. Acts of charity, forgiveness, and kindness become aspects of living worship. The conviction that every facet of life should magnify the Creator likewise informs ethics, lifestyle choices, and interpersonal relationships.

Conclusion

From Genesis to Revelation, the unanimous testimony is that the Creator deserves all glory. Archaeological discoveries, credible historical records, and the wonder of the cosmos all support the reliability of the biblical message that points to one supreme God. Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection further highlights that God’s glory extends beyond creation to our salvation. Each believer is thus called to acknowledge and live in alignment with the truth: that the One who fashioned and sustains life, fulfilled His redemptive plan through the risen Christ, and reliably established His Word is the One who deserves all the glory.