The concept of the "Glory of God" is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His divine majesty, holiness, and the manifestation of His presence. The term "glory" in the biblical context often translates from the Hebrew word "kavod" and the Greek word "doxa," both of which convey a sense of weightiness, honor, and splendor.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, the glory of God is frequently associated with His majestic presence. One of the most vivid depictions is found in the account of Moses on Mount Sinai. Exodus 24:16-17 states, "And the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites." Here, God's glory is both awe-inspiring and fearsome, signifying His holiness and power.

The glory of God also filled the tabernacle and later the temple, symbolizing His dwelling among His people. In Exodus 40:34-35 , it is recorded, "Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." This manifestation of glory underscores God's desire to be present with His people, yet it also highlights the separation due to His holiness.

Prophetic Visions

The prophets often spoke of God's glory in terms of His sovereign rule and future restoration. Isaiah 6:3 captures the seraphim proclaiming, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." This vision emphasizes God's supreme majesty and the pervasive nature of His glory. Similarly, Ezekiel's visions are replete with imagery of God's glory, as seen in Ezekiel 1:28 : "Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around Him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD."

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the glory of God is most fully revealed in the person 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 embodies the divine glory, revealing God's character and majesty through His life, death, and resurrection.

The transfiguration of Jesus is another significant moment where His divine glory is unveiled. Matthew 17:2 describes, "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." This event affirms Jesus' divine nature and His role in God's redemptive plan.

Eschatological Fulfillment

The ultimate revelation of God's glory is anticipated in the eschatological hope of the new creation. Revelation 21:23 envisions a future where "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp." In this consummation, God's glory will be fully realized and experienced by His people, signifying the restoration of all things under His majestic rule.

Throughout Scripture, the glory of God is a profound expression of His majesty, holiness, and presence. It is both a source of awe and a promise of His eternal reign, inviting believers to worship and reflect His glory in their lives.Job 37:22
Fair weather comes out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
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Psalm 93:1
The LORD reigns, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, with which he has girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved.
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Psalm 104:1
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty.
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Psalm 145:5,12
I will speak of the glorious honor of your majesty, and of your wondrous works.
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Isaiah 2:10
Enter into the rock, and hide you in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.
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God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
... God hath made so glorious, can so little express God's glory, than if stupid and
senseless creatures should break out in singing and praising of his majesty. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture i gods glory the.htm

"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect, for all his Ways are ...
... The glory of God, and our well and consolation, require the ... His work, at the end
of accounts, shall appear so complete, as if it had never had interruption. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ii he is the.htm

"God with Us"
... them His grace. God's glory was subdued, and His majesty veiled, that the
weak vision of finite men might behold it. So Christ was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 1 god with us.htm

Of Creation
... God, in his being and working, as would become even mere naturalists. How little
can they speak of his majesty, or think as it becomes his transcendent glory! ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xviii of creation.htm

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the ...
... the Father, who is the brightness of his glory, and the ... had been a great mystery,
then, if God had been ... the nature of angels, a great abasement of his majesty. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi for what the.htm

The Eternity and Unchangeableness of God.
... to be veiled, yet they cannot behold his glory, but must ... face from the radiant and
shining brightness of his majesty. ... in reverence and fear to God, they are ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture viii the eternity and.htm

Glory to Him who came and Restored It!
... and despised Him,"may look again on His Glory and worship Him ... chastened, and won
us, as being the good God. ... He knows that His treasuries abound:"the keys of ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn x glory to him.htm

St. Teresa's Arguments of the Chapters.
... and prize every increase in heavenly glory, and that ... She treats of some great mercies
God showed her ... means of visions and revelations His Majesty vouchsafed to ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/st teresas arguments of the.htm

He was Transfigured
... the golden gates of the city of God are thrown ... flashes through humanity, and meets
the glory coming from ... Arising from His prostrate position, Christ stands in ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 46 he was transfigured.htm

Glory to all of Thee from all of Us!
... though He be of the Most High."He became by His own Will man, God though He be by
His Nature."Glorified ... R., Blessed be Thy Glory which put on our image! ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xvi glory to all.htm

What is the Shekinah glory? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Christ in us is the hope of glory? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the heavens declare the glory of God? | GotQuestions.org

Glory: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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