Gods Glory
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Definition and Nature:
The glory of God is a central theme in the Bible, representing His majesty, holiness, and the manifestation of His divine presence. It is often described as a radiant, overwhelming light that signifies God's supreme power and authority. The Hebrew word for glory, "kavod," conveys a sense of weightiness or importance, while the Greek term "doxa" emphasizes honor and splendor.

Biblical References:
God's glory is revealed throughout Scripture, beginning with the creation narrative. In Genesis 1:31, God's creation is described as "very good," reflecting His glory in the perfection and order of the universe. The psalmist declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1), illustrating how creation itself is a testament to His glory.

In the Old Testament, God's glory is often associated with His presence among His people. In Exodus 24:16-17, the glory of the LORD settles on Mount Sinai, appearing as a consuming fire. Similarly, the tabernacle and later the temple are filled with His glory, as seen in Exodus 40:34-35 and 1 Kings 8:10-11, signifying His dwelling among Israel.

The prophets also speak of God's glory, often in the context of His redemptive plans. Isaiah 6:3 records the seraphim proclaiming, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory" . This vision underscores God's holiness and the pervasive nature of His glory.

New Testament Revelation:
In the New Testament, God's glory is most fully revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. John 1:14 states, "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" . Jesus embodies God's glory, demonstrating it through His teachings, miracles, and ultimately, His death and resurrection.

The apostle Paul emphasizes the transformative power of God's glory in the lives of believers. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, he writes, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" . This passage highlights the ongoing work of sanctification, as believers are conformed to the image of Christ.

Eschatological Fulfillment:
The ultimate revelation of God's glory is anticipated in the eschatological hope of the new creation. Revelation 21:23 describes the New Jerusalem, stating, "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp" . This vision portrays a future where God's glory is fully realized and experienced by His people.

Theological Significance:
God's glory is integral to understanding His character and His relationship with creation. It underscores His sovereignty, holiness, and the rightful worship He is due. Believers are called to live for God's glory, as Paul exhorts in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God" . This call to glorify God encompasses all aspects of life, reflecting His glory to the world.
Topical Bible Verses
Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
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2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
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John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
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Matthew 24:30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
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John 17:1-26
These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you:
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Library

First Part.
... for the best service and furtherance of Gods glory, with all the appurtenances thereof,
his word, his house, his Saints and salvation of soules: using the ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/first part.htm

The Glory of the Cross
... in God than His giving of Himself to His creatures; if the highest glory of the ... Has
it not delivered men from the dreams of gods angry, gods capricious, gods ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the glory of the cross.htm

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
... Holiness and Glory. 'Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? ... Throughout Scripture
we find the glory and the holiness of God mentioned together. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/sixth day holiness and glory.htm

A God in Pain
... for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto
glory, to make ... The heathen, you will find, always thought of their gods as happy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxv a god in.htm

What Has Become of the Gods?
... why was the mount which is called Olympus formerly inhabited by the gods, but now ...
Again, you will say, To Pisa, where he reflects glory on the hands of Phidias ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter iii what has become of.htm

The Gods of the Mythic Class the Poets a Very Poor Authority in ...
... is clear from the fact that you do not consistently call them gods, but heroes. ... the
impious and disgraceful of even the old prizes of human glory, tear up [884 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter vii the gods of the.htm

That Christ is God.
... to the flesh: who are Israelites: whose are the adoption, and the glory, and the ...
in the eighty-first Psalm: "God stood in the congregation of gods, and judging ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/6 that christ is god.htm

Conclusion, the Romans Owe not their Imperial Power to their Gods ...
... devotion [1091] has been devised since the empire has attained its glory by the ... by
an excessive religiousness and very profound respect for the gods, when that ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xvii conclusion the romans.htm

That we must Trust in God Only, and in Him we must Glory.
... nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this ...
And if not, be it known unto thee that we serve not thy gods, and we adore not ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/10 that we must trust.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... Lastly, as the glory of God in some measure dwells in them, they are also termed ...
Nay, they are more than once called Gods, because the Deity is in some measure ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

Resources
Is Jesus a myth? Is Jesus just a copy of the pagan gods of other ancient religions? | GotQuestions.org

Do Christians believe in three gods? | GotQuestions.org

What is henotheism / monolatrism / monolatry? | GotQuestions.org

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God's Glorious Throne
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