The Glory Now RevealedSample

Day Two: The Radiance of the Glory of God

But what is “the glory of God”? It is the radiant display of his attributes. God’s attributes include perfection, holiness, love, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, justice, mercy, patience, and wrath, among others. The “radiant display” of these attributes means that they shine before an audience; they are seen, savored, and celebrated.

When this present age has ended and the new heaven and new earth have come, our experience of God’s glory will be divided into three categories: God’s past glory, God’s present glory, and God’s future glory. God’s past glory will be revealed in his mighty works throughout the history of the world; God’s present glory will be revealed in his face, his throne, his angels, his people, New Jerusalem, and the new heaven and new earth; and God’s future glory will be revealed in the unfolding events of life in the new universe. 

Of God’s future glory in heaven, the Bible says very little. There are indications of the saints ruling over cities, owning property, and doing glorious works. Revelation 21:25–26 states that the gates of New Jerusalem will always stand open and the glories of the nations will stream into it, perhaps implying the fruitful labors of our resurrected hands and our perfected minds. 

God’s present glory in heaven is what most Christians think about when they think about “heaven.” The greatest glory of heaven will be the face of God himself (Revelation 22:4). This “beatific vision” will be the consummation of all heavenly blessedness, joy, and pleasure. Christ will be the greatest display of the glory of God, “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3). 

God will have much glory to show us in his creation as well. The most glorious will be the redeemed themselves, who will “shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43). And the new earth will be spectacular, more than words can describe. I have seen even in this present cursed world such glories as to take my breath away. How much more glorious will be the new earth, liberated at last from its bondage to decay (Romans 8:21). 

Lord, how I long to experience the unity of all three aspects of your glory: past, present, and future! All as tribute to your infinite greatness. Amen!