Topical Bible: Glory of God: Highly Exalted

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The concept of the "Glory of God" is a central theme throughout the Bible, representing the majesty, holiness, and supreme worthiness of God. The term "glory" in the biblical context often translates from the Hebrew word "kavod" and the Greek word "doxa," both of which convey the idea of weightiness, honor, and splendor. God's glory is both intrinsic and extrinsic, reflecting His inherent nature and the manifestation of His presence and power in the world.

Biblical Foundations

The glory of God is first introduced in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with His presence among His people. In Exodus 24:16-17 , the glory of the LORD is described as a consuming fire on the top of Mount Sinai, signifying His holiness and unapproachable majesty. The tabernacle and later the temple were filled with God's glory, as seen in Exodus 40:34-35 and 1 Kings 8:10-11 , indicating His dwelling among the Israelites.

The Psalms frequently extol the glory of God, calling all creation to declare His majesty. Psalm 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." This verse highlights the idea that God's glory is evident in the natural world, revealing His creative power and divine order.

Christ as the Revelation of God's Glory

In the New Testament, the glory of God is supremely revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. John 1:14 declares, "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 is the embodiment of God's glory, displaying His character and purpose through His life, death, and resurrection.

The transfiguration of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 17:1-2 , provides a glimpse of His divine glory, as His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light. This event affirmed His identity as the Son of God and foreshadowed His exaltation.

The Exaltation of God's Glory

The exaltation of God's glory is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing His supreme authority and the ultimate purpose of all creation. Philippians 2:9-11 speaks of Christ's exaltation: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The book of Revelation provides a vivid portrayal of God's glory in the heavenly realm. Revelation 4:11 proclaims, "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." This passage underscores the eternal nature of God's glory and His rightful place as the object of worship.

The Believer's Response to God's Glory

Believers are called to reflect and respond to the glory of God in their lives. 1 Corinthians 10:31 instructs, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." This directive emphasizes that every aspect of a believer's life should be lived in a manner that honors and magnifies God's glory.

Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes the transformative power of beholding God's glory: "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 transformation is a process of sanctification, as believers grow in Christlikeness and reflect His glory to the world.

In summary, the glory of God is a profound and multifaceted concept that permeates the biblical narrative. It reveals His divine nature, is supremely manifested in Jesus Christ, and calls for a response of worship and transformation in the lives of believers.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 8:1
O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! who have set your glory above the heavens.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 113:4
The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Christ's Exaltation
... of Righteousness in the eclipse; now you shall see it coming out of the eclipse,
and shining in its full glory. Wherefore God has highly exalted him;' super ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/7 christs exaltation.htm

The Lord of Glory.
... He is highly exalted, the heir of all things. ... Stephen being full of the Holy Spirit
"looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the Glory of God, and Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the lord of glory.htm

Thereafter He Shows that There are not Two Christs or Two Lords
... into "two Christs"?"we, who say that He Who was highly exalted after His ... every tongue
confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 5 thereafter he shows.htm

The Ninth Book Declares that Eunomius' Account of the Nature of ...
... Only-begotten, is worthy of credit, and if "God is the most highly exalted of all
goods," it follows that the Son is alleged by the enemies of His glory, to be ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 1 the ninth book.htm

Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments which are not to be ...
... and of the hidden judgments of God; why this ... man is so greatly afflicted, and that
so highly exalted. ... they also nourish pride and vain glory, whence envyings ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter lviii of deeper matters.htm

John Chapter xvii. 1
... is directed more to His humility than to His glory, in accordance ... he goes on to say
of His glorification, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate civ john chapter xvii.htm

Philippians ii. 11-May
... Wherefore also God highly exalted Him, and gave Him the Name which is above every
name ... tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the ...
/.../homily vii philippians ii 11-may.htm

The Exaltation of Christ
... for ever." But the symbols of his glory having been ... up on high, and the man-God,
Christ Jesus ... shame, and sorrow, and degradation, was highly exalted, "far above ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exaltation of christ.htm

Texts Explained; and First...
... Wherefore God also highly exalted Him, and ... and things under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter xi texts explained and first.htm

The Ascension of Messiah to Glory
... dead, and buried, received glory and authority at His resurrection, and was highly
exalted to the ... The word glory, when applied to the blessed God, seems to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvi the ascension of.htm