Glory of God

Glory as an attribute of God

Psalm 24:7–8 (LEB)

Lift up your heads, O gates,

and rise up, O ancient doorways,

that the king of glory may enter.

Who is the king of glory?

Yahweh, strong and mighty;

Yahweh, mighty in war!

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 LEB

And his brightness was like the light; flashing rays came from his hand for him; And there is the covering of his strength.

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 LEB

And Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. And the glory of Yahweh settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days, and he called to Moses on the seventh day from 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 LEB

who is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, sustaining all things by the word of power. When he had made purification for sins through him, 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 LEB

to whom God wanted to make known what is the glorious wealth of this mystery among the Gentiles, 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 LEB

And the one called to the other and said, “Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh 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 LEB

And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon, that they shine on it, for the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

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

In his name

Nehemiah 9:5 LEB

Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah said, “Stand up, bless Yahweh your God from everlasting until everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name that is being 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 LEB

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 LEB

They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk of your power, to make known to the children of humankind his mighty deeds, and the glory of the majesty of his 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 LEB

which he will make known in his own time, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those who reign as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, the one who alone possesses immortality, who lives in unapproachable light, whom no human being has seen nor is able to see, to whom be honor and eternal power. 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 LEB

But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently 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 LEB

And blessed be his glorious name forever, and 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 LEB

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