2 Cor. 3: 17-18, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Col. 1: 27, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
GLORY, for many believers, is only a theological concept and not something to be experienced. In reality, the GLORY of God is to be evident and exuding from our lives continually. This article is in no way a complete treatise on the subject of God’s glory. Here, I hope to spark your curiosity to study the scriptures and discover the purpose of God’s glory; then experience His GLORY for yourself. I know those who experience the GLORY of God are changed forever as I have been. When you set your heart to diligently pursue His GLORY, you will very soon be overtaken by Him! GLORY can best be understood as it is experienced.
The quest to discover the GLORY begins in Exodus 20 as God provides Moses the Ten Commandments, laws regarding human relationships, feasts of Israel, and the pattern for the Tabernacle in the Wilderness with the specifications, pattern and placement of each item of furniture within His dwelling place in the midst of His people. Here, God re-instated His original intent to live in the midst of His creation, man, and just as He communed with Adam before the Fall, God, through the Tabernacle, entered into the midst of His people. Even though Sin still separated God from His people, His manifest presence dwelt within the confines of the Tabernacle in the Holy of Holies.
The Tabernacle had three distinct sections with a degree of separation between each. The OUTER COURT contained the BRAZEN ALTAR upon which sacrifices to the Lord were made. The BRAZEN ALTAR represents the CROSS upon which the LAMB of GOD was slain and His precious blood shed for the final remission of sin. The BRONZE LAVER was positioned in front of the entrance to the HOLY PLACE. The BRONZE LAVER was filled with water used in the ceremonial washing of the priests prior to entering the HOLY PLACE. It represents the washing of water by the word (Eph. 5: 25-27) which begins the process of sanctifying believers by the renewing of their minds. The OUTER COURT experience is where most believers in the church reside today. The OUTER COURT represents SALVATION, or having received JUSTIFICATION from sin. The OUTER COURT was open to the natural elements and received natural illumination from the sun. The OUTER COURT experience begins at the BRAZEN ALTAR (CROSS) and continues with the study of the word; yet, there is so much more to discover! The next enclosure within the tabernacle is the HOLY PLACE. Within the HOLY PLACE is a GOLDEN LAMPSTAND made of pure gold, filled with olive oil which was always kept burning providing ILLUMINATION for the ministry of the priest. The GOLDEN LAMPSTAND represents the HOLY SPIRIT Who provides illumination, revelation, and empowerment for ministry. Next, there was a TABLE OF SHEWBREAD made of acacia wood covered with gold upon which were twelve loaves of bread. This TABLE represents the ministry of JESUS CHRIST Who was all man (wood) and all God (gold). The twelve loaves represent the government of God which was placed upon His shoulder (Isa. 9:6). The TABLE of SHEWBREAD further represents spirit-filled believers who understand the kingdom principle of dominion (Gen.1:26; Matt.28:18-20; Mk.16: 15-20) and believers’ role to govern the earth through the power of HOLY SPIRIT (2Cor.1:20; 2Pet.1:2-4). The final item of furniture set in front of the veil was the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE which was lit by a coal from the BRAZEN ALTAR carried in a censor held by the priest, creating a fragrant aroma of smoke that filled the enclosure of the HOLY PLACE. This aromatic smoke represents WORSHIP. True WORSHIP only emanates from HOLY SPIRIT in lives of believers (Jn.4:23-24). WORSHIP alone prepares believers to enter the final enclosure, the HOLY OF HOLIES. Beyond the veil of the HOLY PLACE (baptism of Holy Spirit and the gift realm) is the true DWELLING PLACE of GOD, the HOLY OF HOLIES. Here, within the veil stands the ARK OF THE COVENANT. Upon the ARK between the wings of the cherubim was the MERCY SEAT upon which the GLORY OF GOD rested. Under the OLD COVENANT the High Priest was only permitted to enter the HOLY OF HOLIES and approach the MERCY SEAT once a year on the GREAT DAY OF ATONEMENT to sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial goat seven (7) times on the MERCY SEAT and in front of the ARK seven (7) times as an atonement for the sins of the nation. Because of the final sacrifice and finished work of Jesus Christ, the veil of separation from the presence and GLORY of God has been rent from the top to the bottom providing entry into His presence. In reality, when we received Holy Spirit into our lives, we became His dwelling place, His temple (1Cor.3:16), His HOLY OF HOLIES! Now, within us, the Kingdom of God is established as a present reality. The Gospel of the Kingdom is that Jesus Christ conquered death, hell and the grave, ascended to the right hand of the Father; then sent His Holy Spirit to live His life within believers empowering them to do not only the same works He did, but also greater works that establish the Kingdom of God on earth displaying the GLORY of God convincing the lost that Jesus Christ is Lord! It’s not difficult to see why Satan causes so much controversy about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of Holy Spirit. If he can succeed at keeping believers out of the HOLY PLACE through religion, fear or confusion then there is no way they will find their way into the HOLY OF HOLIES and discover the GLORY of GOD! Even with spirit-filled believers who have entered into the HOLY PLACE (gift realm) there is a tendency be blinded into believing in false finish lines. Many spirit-filled believers think that the baptism of HOLY SPIRIT and operating in the gifts is all we can experience this side of heaven. Even though the HOLY PLACE is wonderful, it is still a place of “duality” where the flesh still is alive and well. Here, we operate in partial light of the LAMPSTAND (Holy Spirit) and still have a tendency towards legalism, faith formulas and selfish ambitions. Satan desires to keep the HOLY OF HOLIES veiled so that the GLORY of GOD can not be discovered and entered into by believers. Paul wrote, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the GLORY (emphasis) of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Cor.4:3-4). I do not believe this passage refers only to the lost, but also to believers! The OUTER COURT is the initial step towards the GLORY. The HOLY PLACE prepares us with an anointing (fragrance, His favorite perfume/cologne) to come into His presence. The HOLY PLACE is an “along the Way” experience. Beyond the veil, within the HOLY OF HOLIES is where we discover true completeness and perfection – the GLORY of GOD. God has beckoned us to “Come up hither” (Rev.4:1); He has reserved a seat for us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph.2:6). The truth is that our destinies “in Christ” are contingent upon our entering into the GLORY realm. From this elevated position our perspective begins to change as we no longer view events from “see level”, believing everything we see with our natural eyes. Our new perspective provides “spiritual vision” which becomes reality as it is declared and decreed from the MERCY SEAT. In this place of REST, we finally discover that all warfare is over. We no longer have the spiritual wrestling match in our minds and we no longer have to yell at the devil. He was defeated two thousand years ago! This means that we no longer see ourselves as points of need, have a victim mentality or continually succumb to a spirit of self-pity because we have found our true dwelling place in Him. Now, we find in Him, our true place of intercession and are able to release a continuous, flowing, persistent swelling river of His life into those for whom we intercede. We become the Bread of Life broken for others so His life can come forth! Within the HOLY OF HOLIES, on the MERCY SEAT, we are IN CHRIST, wrapped in His life, filled to overflowing with Him and His GLORY which carries us deeper and deeper into Him. We discover we have become His vessel, His voice, His hands extended. We no longer have our own opinions, but simply respond to His bidding. This is where we begin to experience GLORY and come to understand that we are continually being transformed from one degree of GLORY to another. GLORY is not some ethereal concept floating beyond our reach, but GLORY is practically being “in Christ” and allowing Holy Spirit within us to convince men that Jesus Christ is Lord. GLORY is simply God’s “convincing splendor.” Glory has the instant result of moving men’s hearts from their own troubles to the awesome abilities of a compassionate and caring Father.
Habakkuk 2:14 prophesies, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” When the world sees His GLORY, it will see Jesus Christ! And when the world sees Jesus Christ, it will be because His GLORY (convincing splendor) is emanating from us! For God’s GLORY will only fill the earth as it fills us! AMEN.
Col. 1: 27, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
GLORY, for many believers, is only a theological concept and not something to be experienced. In reality, the GLORY of God is to be evident and exuding from our lives continually. This article is in no way a complete treatise on the subject of God’s glory. Here, I hope to spark your curiosity to study the scriptures and discover the purpose of God’s glory; then experience His GLORY for yourself. I know those who experience the GLORY of God are changed forever as I have been. When you set your heart to diligently pursue His GLORY, you will very soon be overtaken by Him! GLORY can best be understood as it is experienced.
The quest to discover the GLORY begins in Exodus 20 as God provides Moses the Ten Commandments, laws regarding human relationships, feasts of Israel, and the pattern for the Tabernacle in the Wilderness with the specifications, pattern and placement of each item of furniture within His dwelling place in the midst of His people. Here, God re-instated His original intent to live in the midst of His creation, man, and just as He communed with Adam before the Fall, God, through the Tabernacle, entered into the midst of His people. Even though Sin still separated God from His people, His manifest presence dwelt within the confines of the Tabernacle in the Holy of Holies.
The Tabernacle had three distinct sections with a degree of separation between each. The OUTER COURT contained the BRAZEN ALTAR upon which sacrifices to the Lord were made. The BRAZEN ALTAR represents the CROSS upon which the LAMB of GOD was slain and His precious blood shed for the final remission of sin. The BRONZE LAVER was positioned in front of the entrance to the HOLY PLACE. The BRONZE LAVER was filled with water used in the ceremonial washing of the priests prior to entering the HOLY PLACE. It represents the washing of water by the word (Eph. 5: 25-27) which begins the process of sanctifying believers by the renewing of their minds. The OUTER COURT experience is where most believers in the church reside today. The OUTER COURT represents SALVATION, or having received JUSTIFICATION from sin. The OUTER COURT was open to the natural elements and received natural illumination from the sun. The OUTER COURT experience begins at the BRAZEN ALTAR (CROSS) and continues with the study of the word; yet, there is so much more to discover! The next enclosure within the tabernacle is the HOLY PLACE. Within the HOLY PLACE is a GOLDEN LAMPSTAND made of pure gold, filled with olive oil which was always kept burning providing ILLUMINATION for the ministry of the priest. The GOLDEN LAMPSTAND represents the HOLY SPIRIT Who provides illumination, revelation, and empowerment for ministry. Next, there was a TABLE OF SHEWBREAD made of acacia wood covered with gold upon which were twelve loaves of bread. This TABLE represents the ministry of JESUS CHRIST Who was all man (wood) and all God (gold). The twelve loaves represent the government of God which was placed upon His shoulder (Isa. 9:6). The TABLE of SHEWBREAD further represents spirit-filled believers who understand the kingdom principle of dominion (Gen.1:26; Matt.28:18-20; Mk.16: 15-20) and believers’ role to govern the earth through the power of HOLY SPIRIT (2Cor.1:20; 2Pet.1:2-4). The final item of furniture set in front of the veil was the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE which was lit by a coal from the BRAZEN ALTAR carried in a censor held by the priest, creating a fragrant aroma of smoke that filled the enclosure of the HOLY PLACE. This aromatic smoke represents WORSHIP. True WORSHIP only emanates from HOLY SPIRIT in lives of believers (Jn.4:23-24). WORSHIP alone prepares believers to enter the final enclosure, the HOLY OF HOLIES. Beyond the veil of the HOLY PLACE (baptism of Holy Spirit and the gift realm) is the true DWELLING PLACE of GOD, the HOLY OF HOLIES. Here, within the veil stands the ARK OF THE COVENANT. Upon the ARK between the wings of the cherubim was the MERCY SEAT upon which the GLORY OF GOD rested. Under the OLD COVENANT the High Priest was only permitted to enter the HOLY OF HOLIES and approach the MERCY SEAT once a year on the GREAT DAY OF ATONEMENT to sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial goat seven (7) times on the MERCY SEAT and in front of the ARK seven (7) times as an atonement for the sins of the nation. Because of the final sacrifice and finished work of Jesus Christ, the veil of separation from the presence and GLORY of God has been rent from the top to the bottom providing entry into His presence. In reality, when we received Holy Spirit into our lives, we became His dwelling place, His temple (1Cor.3:16), His HOLY OF HOLIES! Now, within us, the Kingdom of God is established as a present reality. The Gospel of the Kingdom is that Jesus Christ conquered death, hell and the grave, ascended to the right hand of the Father; then sent His Holy Spirit to live His life within believers empowering them to do not only the same works He did, but also greater works that establish the Kingdom of God on earth displaying the GLORY of God convincing the lost that Jesus Christ is Lord! It’s not difficult to see why Satan causes so much controversy about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of Holy Spirit. If he can succeed at keeping believers out of the HOLY PLACE through religion, fear or confusion then there is no way they will find their way into the HOLY OF HOLIES and discover the GLORY of GOD! Even with spirit-filled believers who have entered into the HOLY PLACE (gift realm) there is a tendency be blinded into believing in false finish lines. Many spirit-filled believers think that the baptism of HOLY SPIRIT and operating in the gifts is all we can experience this side of heaven. Even though the HOLY PLACE is wonderful, it is still a place of “duality” where the flesh still is alive and well. Here, we operate in partial light of the LAMPSTAND (Holy Spirit) and still have a tendency towards legalism, faith formulas and selfish ambitions. Satan desires to keep the HOLY OF HOLIES veiled so that the GLORY of GOD can not be discovered and entered into by believers. Paul wrote, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the GLORY (emphasis) of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Cor.4:3-4). I do not believe this passage refers only to the lost, but also to believers! The OUTER COURT is the initial step towards the GLORY. The HOLY PLACE prepares us with an anointing (fragrance, His favorite perfume/cologne) to come into His presence. The HOLY PLACE is an “along the Way” experience. Beyond the veil, within the HOLY OF HOLIES is where we discover true completeness and perfection – the GLORY of GOD. God has beckoned us to “Come up hither” (Rev.4:1); He has reserved a seat for us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph.2:6). The truth is that our destinies “in Christ” are contingent upon our entering into the GLORY realm. From this elevated position our perspective begins to change as we no longer view events from “see level”, believing everything we see with our natural eyes. Our new perspective provides “spiritual vision” which becomes reality as it is declared and decreed from the MERCY SEAT. In this place of REST, we finally discover that all warfare is over. We no longer have the spiritual wrestling match in our minds and we no longer have to yell at the devil. He was defeated two thousand years ago! This means that we no longer see ourselves as points of need, have a victim mentality or continually succumb to a spirit of self-pity because we have found our true dwelling place in Him. Now, we find in Him, our true place of intercession and are able to release a continuous, flowing, persistent swelling river of His life into those for whom we intercede. We become the Bread of Life broken for others so His life can come forth! Within the HOLY OF HOLIES, on the MERCY SEAT, we are IN CHRIST, wrapped in His life, filled to overflowing with Him and His GLORY which carries us deeper and deeper into Him. We discover we have become His vessel, His voice, His hands extended. We no longer have our own opinions, but simply respond to His bidding. This is where we begin to experience GLORY and come to understand that we are continually being transformed from one degree of GLORY to another. GLORY is not some ethereal concept floating beyond our reach, but GLORY is practically being “in Christ” and allowing Holy Spirit within us to convince men that Jesus Christ is Lord. GLORY is simply God’s “convincing splendor.” Glory has the instant result of moving men’s hearts from their own troubles to the awesome abilities of a compassionate and caring Father.
Habakkuk 2:14 prophesies, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” When the world sees His GLORY, it will see Jesus Christ! And when the world sees Jesus Christ, it will be because His GLORY (convincing splendor) is emanating from us! For God’s GLORY will only fill the earth as it fills us! AMEN.