The overwhelming glory on the face of our Lord was seeing when He forgave those who were crucifying and mocking Him; when they flogged His body to raw skin. Yes, His glory was seeing when he forgave the thief on the cross and promised a home in heaven with Him in glory. This overwhelming glory is a continuous glory, saving and forgiving all those who come to Him for salvation. Paul writes to the Corinthians that “down to the very day wherever Moses is read, a veil lies upon Israelites’ minds and hearts; but whenever a person turn to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away…And all of us, as with unveiled face, continue to behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transformed into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and form one degree of glory to another, from the Lord, Who is the Spirit” (II Cor. 3:15-18). When sin entered into the world, we lost the image of the Lord. However, when we turn to Him, the veil is stripped off from our face and we are constantly being transformed into His image. This should be the life style of every Christian. “Live not I, but Christ lives in me.” The life that we live on this earth should be a life to share the love of God in every circumstance. The splendor of YAHSHSUA’S glory should be growing in us from one degree to another, while we shine God’s presence to the world, just as Israel noticed the splendor of God’s glory in Moses’ face when he left the presence of God. It will be in suffering that God’s glory will be seen brighter, as we submit to His will. “Be still and know that I am God,” He said in Psalm 46. Suffering has a way to bring us closer to the Lord, because our weakness very much depends on His strength. That’s the time when our faith is strengthened and when the brilliance of His glory will be brighter.
When our Savior hung on the cross for six hours, submitting to the mocking and abuse of those who were crucifying Him and the Jewish nation, He shone the overwhelm and brilliant glory of Whom He was. It translated His love for the lost world. In persecution, the glory of many Christians who suffered for YAHSHUA, shone with strength and brilliance to their death. One of many examples is the life of the martyr Stephen. While they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him…and while they were stoning, Stephen, prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit. And falling on his Kness, he cried out loudly, Lord, fix not this sin upon them. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in death” (Acts 7:5 58-60). That was God’s glory, shining His love for his enemies. The glory of God is manifested in us through our obedience and love for Him and men. His glory is demonstrated in His goodness. Moses asked God to show him His glory. The Lord answered Moses, saying, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name. the LORD, before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness” (Ex. 33:19). Goodness, gracious, mercy and loving-kindness are entwined in God’s glory. The Prophet Jeremiah said, “It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His compassion fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is your stability and faithfulness. The Lord is good to those who will wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him” (Lam. 3:23-25).
Silver and gold in their original estate are not very attractive. It is however, in the process of refining that they sparkle the beautiful shine desired by all. We are constantly being refined in the way of sanctification, to reach glorification. A process we must go through to see God. Born sinful, we are as silver and gold in their original estate. But it is through the blood of our Savior and His sanctification that we are cleansed and made whole. When “not I but Christ lives in me,” our life is like an aroma pleasing to Him, flowing out from our garden in abundance to the One our soul delights. The overwhelming glory displaying the love of God over us comforts and assures us that we are His and He is ours. “Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away return hastily O my beloved.” (Song of Solomon 2:17). We, your bride cry, come Lord YAHSHUA. The glory of the Lord displays beauty inside and out, reflecting Who He is in majesty, power and splendor. We, His bride, carries the manifestation of His glory in our act of love and kindness toward others. Someday, as He is we shall be, according to I John 3:2: “Beloved, we are now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is.” We will experience the fullness of His glory forever and ever. How about you, my friend?
