Glory of God

Glory as an attribute of God

Psalm 24:7–8 ESV

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

See also Ps 29:3; Jn 11:40; Ac 7:2; Re 19:1

Visible phenomena accompanying God’s glory

The appearance of God’s glory

Habakkuk 3:4 ESV

His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power.

See also Dt 5:24; 2 Sa 22:8–16; Ps 104:1; Eze 1:26–28

God’s glory as a cloud

Exodus 24:15–16 ESV

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.

See also Ex 33:9–10; Is 4:5; Mt 17:5; Lk 21:27

God’s glory in the tabernacle and the temple

2 Ch 5:13–14 The Jewish term for the outward sign of God’s presence in the temple is “Shekinah”.

See also Ex 40:34–35; 2 Ch 7:1–3; Eze 8:4; Eze 9:3; Eze 10:19; Eze 43:1–5; Re 15:8

God’s glory revealed

In Jesus Christ

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

See also Is 49:3; Jn 1:14; Jn 13:31–32; Jn 17:5; 2 Co 4:6; 2 Pe 1:17

In his people

Colossians 1:27 ESV

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

See also Is 60:19–21; Is 62:3; 2 Co 3:18; Eph 3:21

In the whole world

Isaiah 6:3 ESV

And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

See also Nu 14:21; Ps 57:5; Ps 57:11; Hab 2:14; Hab 3:3

In heaven

Revelation 21:23 ESV

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

See also Ro 8:17; Heb 2:9; 1 Pe 5:10

In his name

Nehemiah 9:5 ESV

Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

See also Dt 28:58; 1 Ch 29:13; Ps 8:1; Ps 79:9

In his works

Psalm 111:3 ESV

Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.

See also Ps 19:1; Is 12:5; Is 35:2; Jn 11:40–44; Jn 17:4

In his kingdom

Psalm 145:11–12 ESV

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

See also 1 Ch 29:11; Mt 6:13; 1 Th 2:12

God’s glory cannot be fully seen

1 Timothy 6:15–16 ESV

which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

To see God face to face means certain death:

Ex 33:18–20; Jdg 6:22–23; Jdg 13:20–22; Is 6:5; Jn 1:18

God’s glory experienced

Acts 7:55 ESV

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

See also Ex 3:2 Moses; Is 6:1–4 Isaiah; Lk 2:9 the shepherds

The effects of God’s glory

God’s glory is acknowledged

Psalm 72:19 ESV

Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!

See also Ps 29:2; Ro 11:36; Re 4:11; Re 5:13; Re 19:1

God’s glory brings guilt and fear

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

See also Is 2:10; Is 2:19; Is 2:21; Re 11:13; Re 15:8