The concept of the glory of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, representing His majesty, holiness, and divine presence. For the saints, the desire to behold God's glory is a profound longing that reflects their deep love and reverence for Him. This desire is rooted in the understanding that God's glory is the ultimate revelation of His character and the fulfillment of their spiritual aspirations.

Biblical Foundations

The glory of God is often depicted as a radiant and overwhelming presence. In the Old Testament, Moses' encounter with God's glory on Mount Sinai is a pivotal moment. Exodus 33:18-19 records Moses' request: "Then Moses said, 'Please show me Your glory.' 'I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,' the LORD replied, 'and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—before you. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.'" This passage highlights the intrinsic link between God's glory and His goodness, mercy, and compassion.

The Psalms frequently express the saints' yearning to witness God's glory. Psalm 63:2 states, "So I have seen You in the sanctuary, to behold Your power and glory." Here, the psalmist reflects a deep desire to experience God's presence and majesty, which is often associated with worship and adoration.

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." The incarnation of Christ is the ultimate manifestation of God's glory, providing believers with a tangible expression of His divine nature.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the transformative power of beholding God's glory. 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 emphasizes the sanctifying effect of gazing upon God's glory, as believers are progressively conformed to the image of Christ.

Eschatological Hope

The saints' desire to behold God's glory is not limited to the present life but extends into eternity. The book of Revelation provides a vivid depiction of the ultimate fulfillment of this longing. Revelation 21:23 describes the New Jerusalem: "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb." In the eternal state, the saints will dwell in the perpetual light of God's glory, experiencing unbroken fellowship with Him.

Practical Implications

The desire to behold God's glory has profound implications for the life of the believer. It inspires worship, motivates holiness, and provides comfort in trials. The anticipation of seeing God's glory face to face encourages perseverance and hope, as expressed in 1 John 3:2 : "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is."

In summary, the saints' desire to behold the glory of God is a central aspect of their faith journey, rooted in biblical revelation and culminating in the eternal vision of His majesty. This longing shapes their worship, transforms their character, and sustains their hope for the future.Psalm 63:2
To see your power and your glory, so as I have seen you in the sanctuary.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 90:16
Let your work appear to your servants, and your glory to their children.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Blessed Privilege of Seeing God Explained
... She afterwards grew blind upon it, but the saints can receive no detriment from
the inspection of glory. ... be in its perfection till it comes to see God. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/17 the blessed privilege of.htm

Behold all Ye that Kindle a Fire, that Compass Yourselves About ...
... Now I am to show some things in which true saints and deceived persons may agree,
and some ... The true convert has his heart set on the glory of God, as his ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/behold all ye that kindle.htm

The Death of the Righteous
... we now live in, but a place of banishment from God? ... O ye saints, desire death; it
is your ascension-day to heaven ... man said, Lord, lead me to that glory which I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the death of the.htm

The Excellencies of the Saints' Rest.
... O happy day of the saints' rest in glory, when, as there is one God, one Christ,
one Spirit, so we shall have one heart, one church, one employment for ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iii the excellencies of.htm

The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
... as the saints desire when the Lord of saints is with ... of all nations shall come" in
power and glory; and this ... Here is our last resource; here are God's reserves ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the abiding of the spirit.htm

Ebenezer!
... But to God be the glory"to God"to God"to God alone! ... us from our sins in his blood,
unto him be glory." This is the song of perfect saints above; shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/ebenezer.htm

Of the Endless Glory of the Church.
... by God's grace be manifested a glory so pervading ... to the present time, in which the
saints are reigning ... the calamities of this mortal state, God's people, or ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 17 of the endless glory.htm

Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent
... They cleave with steadfast desire unto God, as Job says ... the same image from glory
to glory, even as ... thou mayest follow the example of God's saints in pureness ...
/.../iii sermon for the third.htm

Spiritual Desolation.
... We cannot see God while we remain here on earth; hence the saints have yearned for ...
True, we should esteem the things that make for the glory of God, but we ...
/.../de liguori/uniformity with gods will/6 spiritual desolation.htm

The Perseverance of the Saints
... this doctrine of the perseverance of the saints and the certainty thereof, which
God has most abundantly revealed in His Word, for the glory of His ...
/.../anonymous/synod of dort/the perseverance of the saints.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

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus