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RUSSELL SANDERS
2-13-2023
THE GLORY
Glory refers to the exhibition (show, manifestation) of the excellence of the subject To which glory is ascribed. Concerning God, it is the display of his divine attributes and perfections, and sometimes of His very presence (the Shekinah glory). A connotation of splendor is included. It applies both to the Father and to Jesus.
Speaking of Jesus, who is the true Light (John 1:9), John 1:14 says “And we beheld (saw witnessed) his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father…”
Jesus spoke of glory in the Lord’s prayer (John 17) where he said in verse 1, “Father… glorify thy son, (so) that thy Son also may glorify thee.” Verses 4 and 5 also speak of the glory of both Father and Son.
The glory of God can be seen in the creation of everything on earth and in the heavens. But there is also a special manifestation of God’s glory that goes beyond the obvious exhibition of His evidence. It is called the “Shekinah” glory.
The term “shekinah” is not found in our bible. It comes from other Jewish writings (the Targum) to clearly distinguish His very presence so as to avoid the descriptions of physical characteristics to God similar to human characteristics.
Examples of the shekinah glory are found where the ark of the covenant rested in the old tabernacle (then later the Temple) where God’s presence with the ark was like a misty or smoky cloud. Also, as Israel wandered 40 years in the wilderness, God’s glory showed in the cloud that guided them by day and the fire by night.
His glory is also manifested by light. At Jesus’ birth Luke 29:9 says, “The angel of the Lord came upon them (the shepherds), and the glory of the Lord shown (as a light) round about them.”
John 1:9 calls Jesus the True Light. Jesus even called himself “the light of the world” in John 9:5 and 8:12. In Revelation 21:23 it tells us God’s glory lights all of heaven in the New Jerusalem and “the Lamb is the light thereof.”
When my late wife died and went to heaven, she encountered Jesus face to face as He spoke to her. She could see no physical features, just a man shaped appearance of bright light, yet he had actually carried her to a special place. He appeared as the brightest possible light, yet gentle to the eyes. He then sent her back to earth where she could tell of His splendor and glory. His radiance was shekinah glory.
When we praise Him, we glory His name and His personage. Let praise flow from our lips freely.
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