GLORY TO GLORY

By Jerelyn Wright Pearson

 

Imagine looking into a mirror and instead of seeing our own reflection, we see the glory of the Lord. As amazing as that is, there is more. We are changed into the same image of glory. How is this change from glory to glory accomplished? We are changed by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18
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.

So far, we know that we will be changed and how we will be changed (by the Spirit of the Lord). But I began to wonder about the glory we are changed from, and the glory we are changed to.

Romans 8 provides more specific information about the glory we are changed to:

Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

In this verse we learn that God’s glory is the image of his Son! It also explains why we are changed into this image: “that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” That’s us!

1 Corinthians 13 gives some insight into the glory we are changed from.

1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

We haven’t yet experienced the fullness of his glory. God’s revelation of himself to each of us is an ongoing process. It’s as though we “see through a glass darkly” as he sheds more and more light through the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Even though we gain information by attending church and reading the scriptures, our understanding and application of that knowledge is dependent on revelation. Every truth that each of us understands has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. That’s why we can grow spiritually and continue to understand more. 

Now let’s dig a little deeper. These next passages of scripture shed more light on the topic of Glory to Glory.

In the Old Testament God’s glory was concealed. In the New Testament God’s glory is revealed.  In the past God spoke through the prophets. Today he speaks through his Son, the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person.

Hebrews 1:1-3
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

As a comparison of the Old with the New, let’s take a look at the priesthood and consider the advantages of the New over the Old.  

Hebrews 8:1-5
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;  
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Christ obtained a more excellent ministry.

Hebrews 8:6-7 
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

In 2 Corinthians 3, we find a more glorious ministry, changed from the ministration of death and condemnation, to a ministration of the spirit and righteousness..

2 Corinthians 3:7-9 (emphasis added)
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

The old pales in comparison to the new.

2 Corinthians 3:10-18 (emphasis added)
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 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.

As we have seen, God has shown glimpses of his glory throughout the Bible.

Jesus is the “brightness of his glory.”

“the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance;”

“For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”

“For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.”

From Glory to Glory

The former glory was the glory of the Old Testament, with its shadows and veils, which was done away.

The present glory is revealed in the New Testament as Jesus Christ accomplishes his complete victory and returns to his glory seated at the right hand of the Father. He sends the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, teach, comfort, and reveal the glory of God. We are in the process of being changed.

The future glory will be the finished work of Christ when we are together for all eternity finally having been changed into his glorious image.

 

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Presented 23 January 2022 in French Settlement, Louisiana