Topical Bible: Glory: Temporal: Ends in Destruction

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In the biblical context, the concept of glory often refers to the honor, splendor, and majesty associated with God. However, when applied to human endeavors and achievements, glory is frequently depicted as fleeting and ultimately leading to destruction if it is not rooted in the eternal purposes of God. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and warnings about the temporary nature of earthly glory and its potential to end in ruin.

Biblical Examples and Warnings

1. Nebuchadnezzar's Pride and Fall: The account of King Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel serves as a poignant illustration of temporal glory leading to destruction. Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful king of Babylon, became prideful due to his achievements and the splendor of his kingdom. In Daniel 4:30-31 , he boasts, "Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" Immediately, a voice from heaven declares his downfall, and he is driven away from men to live as a beast until he acknowledges God's sovereignty.

2. The Rich Fool: In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus warns against the folly of placing trust in temporal wealth and glory. The rich man, having accumulated great wealth, plans to build larger barns to store his goods, saying to himself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and be merry" (Luke 12:19). However, God calls him a fool, as his life is demanded of him that very night, illustrating the transient nature of earthly glory.

3. The Fall of Tyre: The city of Tyre, known for its wealth and splendor, is another example of temporal glory ending in destruction. In Ezekiel 28, the prophet describes the pride and eventual downfall of Tyre, likening its king to one who claims divine status. Ezekiel 28:17 states, "Your heart grew proud of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I cast you to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings."

The Futility of Earthly Glory

The Bible consistently emphasizes the futility of seeking glory apart from God. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon reflects on the vanity of human endeavors, noting that all is "vanity and a chasing after the wind" (Ecclesiastes 1:14). The pursuit of temporal glory, whether through wealth, power, or human achievement, is ultimately meaningless without a foundation in the eternal.

The Contrast with Eternal Glory

In contrast to the fleeting nature of earthly glory, Scripture points believers to the eternal glory found in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 , "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This eternal perspective encourages believers to seek the glory that comes from God, which does not end in destruction but leads to everlasting life.

Conclusion

The Bible provides a clear and sobering message about the dangers of pursuing temporal glory. Through various narratives and teachings, it warns that such glory, when detached from God's purposes, is destined to end in destruction. Believers are thus called to seek the eternal glory that comes from a life aligned with God's will, which offers true and lasting fulfillment.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 5:14
Therefore hell has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoices, shall descend into it.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Psalm XIV.
... they devour the people, who serve their own ends out of them, not referring their
ministry to the glory of God ... ver.5): that is, for the loss of things temporal. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xiv.htm

The Aggravated Guilt of Him who Delivered Christ to Pilate.
... wrong to gain worldly ends; or avoid temporal disadvantages ... of conscience, often
to gain worldly ends, and answer ... nor his adherents crucified the Lord of glory. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xii the aggravated guilt.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... is in their shame." That is all their glory amounts to ... their boast is without foundation
and ends in shame ... what you say is true, why observe temporal restrictions ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

The Relatives of Our Saviour.
... appear, they answered that it was not a temporal nor an ... the world, when he should
come in glory to judge ... as extending through 8; but it really ends here, and ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xx the relatives of our.htm

He Then once More Excellently, Appropriately, and Clearly Examines ...
... any man for drink the turbid fluid of destruction in place ... leads us to look upon
the pre-temporal glory of the ... 538] The hiatus in the Paris editions ends here. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then once.htm

Psalm LX.
... many men consisting, extended even unto the ends of the ... flesh is hay, and all the
glory of man ... for money, suffereth tribulation for temporal honour, suffereth ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lx.htm

"The House of Israel"
... the evils that were robbing Israel of temporal prosperity and ... in the night of spiritual
darkness God's glory is to ... mercy is to be carried to the ends of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 59 the house of.htm

Letter x. --For 338. Coss. Ursus and Polemius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... our saving Easter-feast, even from the ends of the ... gave thanks, praising and saying
words of glory to God ... rejoiced a very little in these temporal things, and ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter x for 338 coss ursus.htm

Christian Devotedness, Etc.
... looking beyond things which are seen and temporal, they beheld ... to meet His mind and
promote his glory, they are ... object: the one begins in self and ends in self ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/christian devotedness etc.htm

Seven Sanctified Thoughts and Mournful Sighs of a Sick Man Ready ...
... life in tears, passeth it in sweat, and ends it in ... my heart, ascribe the whole praise
and glory of my ... But if these temporal dolours, which only afflict the body ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/seven sanctified thoughts and mournful.htm