Glory

Concise Bible Dictionary:

There are eight different words in the Hebrew translated “glory,” but some occur only once. The principal of them are
3. kabod, “weight, honor, glory” (the word commonly used). It is frequently applied to God, as in “the God of glory” (Psa. 29:33The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters. (Psalm 29:3)); to Jehovah as “the King of glory” (Psa. 24:7-97Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (Psalm 24:7‑9)); “the glory of Jehovah” that appeared on Mount Sinai, and that filled the tabernacle (Ex. 24:16-1716And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17And the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. (Exodus 24:16‑17); Ex. 40:34-3534Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34‑35)), and will fill the future temple (Ezek. 43:2-52And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. 3And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. 4And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. 5So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house. (Ezekiel 43:2‑5)); also the glory pertaining to Israel, and to the Gentiles in the past and the future (1 Sam. 4:21-2221And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. 22And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken. (1 Samuel 4:21‑22); Isa. 66:1212For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. (Isaiah 66:12)).
In the New Testament the word is δόξα, “esteem, honor, excellency of mind, body.” It is applied to created things, as the sun, moon, and stars (1 Cor. 15:4141There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. (1 Corinthians 15:41)); also to man as “the glory of God” (1 Cor. 11:77For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. (1 Corinthians 11:7)). The moral glory of the Lord Jesus Christ shone out in all His pathway on earth (John 1:1414And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14); John 11:4040Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:40)). He speaks of the glory He had from eternity with the Father, and His acquired glory which He will graciously share with His joint heirs (John 17:5,22,245And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (John 17:5)
22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John 17:22)
24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)). Every tongue shall confess His lordship to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:1111And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)). His glory will be revealed on earth, and He will be hailed “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Matt. 25:3131When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (Matthew 25:31); 1 Pet. 4:1313But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:13); Rev. 17:1414These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14); Rev. 19:1616And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)). He is “the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:88Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:8)).
Glory is often used as expressive of the proper distinction of a person, or of a company: as the glory of the Father (Rom. 6:44Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)); of the Word (John 1:1414And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)); of the children of God (Rom. 8:2121Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8:21)); and even of inanimate bodies heavenly and earthly (1 Cor. 15:40-4140There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. (1 Corinthians 15:40‑41)). Each has its own glory, and such glory is evidently not transferable; for if it could be transferred or communicated, it would lose its specially distinctive force. But glory may be in the nature of distinction conferred, as upon a creature by a superior, and even upon the Lord Himself, viewed as in the place of Man; as on the mount of transfiguration, and at the right hand of God (2 Pet. 1:1717For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (2 Peter 1:17); 1 Pet. 1:2121Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:21)). And this is distinction in which others may in measure be permitted to share (John 17:2222And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John 17:22)).
Glory may properly attach to a person even under an exterior by which it is not expressed. This was evidently the case with Christ when on earth: the flesh which He assumed in becoming Man served to veil His glory. In the same way the glory of the children of God is not yet manifest, and until it is manifest the glory is the exultation of the heart. This idea is not unfrequently found in the Psalms.
And further, this thought of glory hidden brings us to the glory of God, which, in its full expression, is the effulgence or display of Himself in the accomplishment of His counsels, in hope of which Christians rejoice. These counsels hid in God constitute, as one may say, His glory; and in their result they fully display His wisdom, love, and power. Meanwhile they have come to light through Christ being at the right hand of God, and the Holy Ghost given. We have now the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:

In connection with the Persons in the Godhead, glory has to do with divine attributes being brought into display. All such perfection and excellence is found in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture notes at least seven great glories that belong to Him. They fall into two categories:
His intrinsic glories—These are essential qualities inherent in His Person, being the perfect One that He is. They were not given to Him, nor did He acquire them—they were always His because of who He is. Some of these glories were veiled when He became a Man, and some could not be veiled.
His acquired glories—These are glories that the Lord secured for God through His power and grace. Some of these glories are shared with His redeemed people, and some cannot be shared.
1) Divine Glory
Hebrews 1:2-32Hath 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; 3Who 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; (Hebrews 1:2‑3) says, “His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His Person.” This “glory” is His essential intrinsic glory in deity. The Lord did not acquire it, for it always belonged to Him, because He was “with God” and “was God” (John 1:11In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1); 1 Tim. 6:14-1614That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:14‑16)). The attributes of deity that reside in Him are: eternality, infinity, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, immutability, impeccability, sovereignty, self-sufficiency, and righteousness. This glory will never be shared with men; it belongs exclusively to the Godhead alone. (See Deity.)
2) Sonship Glory
John 1:1414And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) tells us that the Lord brought this eternal Sonship glory with Him into Manhood, and those who had faith beheld it. In a parenthesis, John qualifies the character of glory that the Lord had as the Son of God by pointing to the glory that an only-begotten child has with his father, having his father’s full and undivided attention and affection. Thus, "only-begotten with a father" is not capitalized in the text because it is referring to the human relationship of a father with his son; the Spirit of God is using it to illustrate the affection that the Father has for the Son.
3) Creatorial Glory
The Bible says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handywork” (Psa. 19:11<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. (Psalm 19:1)). This verse indicates that all three Persons of the Godhead were involved in the creation, for “God” (Elohim) is plural in the Hebrew (Gen. 1:11In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)). See also Ecclesiastes 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1) (“Creator” is plural). The Father was the Source (Heb. 3:44For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. (Hebrews 3:4); Acts 14:1515And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: (Acts 14:15)), the Spirit was the Power (Gen. 1:22And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2); Job 26:1313By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. (Job 26:13)), but the Son was the Agent by which the work was done (John 1:3, 103All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)
10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:10); Col. 1:1616For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16); Heb. 1:22Hath 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; (Hebrews 1:2); Rev. 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)).
4) Moral Glory
Being Who the Lord was, when He became a Man and lived in this world, His life was perfect. There was a moral glory connected with all that He said and did that simply could not be hidden or veiled. At the end of His earthly pathway, He looked up to God His Father and said, “I have glorified Thee on the earth” (John 17:44I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. (John 17:4)). Of all the men that have ever lived on earth, He is the only One who could truly say that to God.
His life was characterized by obedience and submission to His Father’s will (John 4:34; 8:2934Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (John 4:34)
29And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29)). As a perfectly dependent Man, He lived by each word that proceeded out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:44But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)). In the four Gospels, we trace a life of total abstinence of self, as Scripture attests, “Christ pleased not Himself” (Rom. 15:33For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (Romans 15:3)). He was filled with grace and “went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:3838How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)). He laboured for the good of others and freely drew upon God’s power to supply all their real needs, but personally suffered want, hunger, and thirst, without ever working a miracle for Himself. His activities were chiefly in the lowest walks of life. He was always accessible; He never turned away one person who came to Him (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)). He had time for children (Matt. 19:13-1513Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. (Matthew 19:13‑15)), and the fatherless, and the widows found mercy in Him (Luke 7:11-1711And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17And this rumor of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about. (Luke 7:11‑17)).
When He spoke, people wondered “at the gracious words that proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:2222And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? (Luke 4:22)). There was no guile in His speech (1 Peter 2:2222Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (1 Peter 2:22)). People said, “Never man spake like this Man” (John 7:4646The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. (John 7:46)). His practical wisdom gave evidence to the fact that He lived in the presence of the Lord God Who gave Him “the tongue of the learned” that He would “know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary” (Isa. 50:44The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (Isaiah 50:4)). He talked to the woman at the well with marvelous tact, and won her away from a life of sin without performing a single miracle (John 4). Being confronted with those who opposed Him, He never argued or said one word in a wrong tone of voice. When personal insults were hurled at Him, He never defended Himself; it was only when evil men launched their derogatory attacks on the glory of God that He answered them with marvelous wisdom (John 8:48-4948Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? 49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and ye do dishonor me. (John 8:48‑49)). Throughout His life and ministry he perfectly illustrated His own teaching—“Do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again” (Luke 6:3535But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luke 6:35)). There is not one instance where He claimed either the person or the service of those whom He restored and delivered. When He loved, healed, and saved, He looked for nothing in return.
However, His holiness made Him an utter stranger in this polluted world. He often spent nights under the open skies without a place to lay His head, yet never complained about being left alone and rejected (John 7:5353And every man went unto his own house. (John 7:53)–8:1; Luke 9:5858And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (Luke 9:58)). He was so lowly and unassuming that He wasn’t conspicuous among His disciples as their Master. At His arrest in the garden, they could not identify Him as the Leader of the little band that followed Him, and had to ask which one of them was He. Since He had been teaching daily in the temple, they should have been able to identify Him (John 18:4-84Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: (John 18:4‑8)). When He was abused and reviled by the chief priests and elders, and later by the Roman authorities, “He suffered, and threatened not, but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:2323Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:23)). When He was suffering and dying on the cross, when all others would be thinking of themselves, He still had time for the thief who was on the verge of death and damnation. He found time to pour in the oil and wine from the resources of God when He saw true repentance there (Luke 23:40-4340But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:40‑43)).
This moral glory is presently being shared with the redeemed, for they have been given the very life of Christ, and therefore, have the capacity to manifest these moral features. It is being formed in them now by the Spirit in the measure in which they are occupied with Him (2 Cor. 3:1818But 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. (2 Corinthians 3:18)). This work of moral conformity will be completed when the Lord comes (the Rapture), at which time He will glorify His heavenly people, ridding them of their fallen natures. They will be completely like Christ then—morally (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)). In the Eternal State, heaven and earth will be filled with a new race of men who are morally perfect like Christ.
5) Redemption Glory
This is a glory that Christ won by going into death and accomplishing redemption. Having glorified God over the question of sin on the cross, God “raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory” (1 Peter 1:2121Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:21)). He is now at God’s right hand “crowned with glory and honour” (Heb. 2:99But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9)). This is an acquired glory. It is something that the Lord did not have prior to accomplishing His finished work on the cross. He gained or acquired it through being obedient unto death, and thus, He has brought a glory to God that the Godhead did not have before. The marvel of it is that He shares it with His redeemed! “The glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them” (John 17:2222And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John 17:22); 2 Thess. 2:1414Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:14)). In the coming millennial day it will be displayed before all, so that “the world may know” the great love that Christ has for the Church (John 17:2323I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23); Eph. 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)).
6) Glory Of Preeminence
When the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, He became the Head of a new race of men—the new creation (Rev. 3:1414And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14)). In doing so, He acquired another glory that He did not have theretofore. In the new creation, He is “the Firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:2929For 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. (Romans 8:29)). “Firstborn,” in this sense, does not refer to being first in birth order, but first in rank and position. (Compare Genesis 48:1414And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. (Genesis 48:14) with Jeremiah 31:99They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. (Jeremiah 31:9), and 1 Chronicles 2:13-1513And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third, 14Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, 15Ozem the sixth, David the seventh: (1 Chronicles 2:13‑15) with Psalm 89:2727Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. (Psalm 89:27).) Being the “Firstborn,” He will always have the first place in the new creation. It belongs to Him by right, and thus, there is a special glory connected with that place which He alone has. This special glory distinguishes the Lord from all other men in the new race so that “in all things He might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:1818And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)). He has “a Name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:99Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (Philippians 2:9); Eph. 1:2121Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:21)). The Lord prayed that we would behold this glory, saying, “I will that they also Whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory which Thou hast given Me” (John 17:2424Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)). This glory is not shared.
7) Kingdom Glory
The Old Testament Scriptures are filled with descriptions of Christ’s official kingdom glory. Every godly Israelite looked for the day when their Messiah and King would reign over the whole earth (Zech. 14:99And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. (Zechariah 14:9)). When the kingdom is established in power in the world to come (the Millennium), “all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord” (Num. 14:2121But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. (Numbers 14:21); Hab. 2:1414For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14); Ezek. 39:21; 43:221And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. (Ezekiel 39:21)
2And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. (Ezekiel 43:2)). “I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory... that have not heard of My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles” (Isa. 66:18-1918For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. 19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. (Isaiah 66:18‑19)). This glory is something that He has yet to acquire, and will do so through His warrior judgments at His Appearing.
When the Lord Jesus walked among men, God gave three of the apostles a glimpse of this future kingdom glory on the mount of transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-91And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 9And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. (Matthew 17:1‑9); 2 Peter 1:16-1816For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:16‑18)). "When they were awake, they saw His glory" (Luke 9:3232But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. (Luke 9:32)). This kingdom glory of the Lord will be shared with the Church for He will associate it with Himself in the administration of the world to come. Under the figure of a “city” descending out of heaven—“having the glory of God”—the Church as the bride of Christ will reflect Christ’s kingdom glory before the world (Rev. 21:99And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Revelation 21:9)–22:5; Rom. 8:1818For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)).
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In connection with the final state of the saints, “glory” refers to the excellence that will be manifested in their glorified condition—in spirit, in soul, and in body. Christ was glorified in this way when He rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God (Acts 3:1313The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. (Acts 3:13); 1 Peter 1:2121Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:21); 1 Tim. 3:1616And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)), but Christians and Old Testament saints await this glorification, which will not occur until Christ comes—the Rapture (Rom. 8:17-1817And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:17‑18); 1 Cor. 15:43, 51-5643It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: (1 Corinthians 15:43)
51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑56); 2 Cor. 5:1-41For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (2 Corinthians 5:1‑4); Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21); 1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18); Heb. 11:4040God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40); 1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)). Eventually, all who will populate the “new heavens and a new earth” will also be glorified (2 Peter 3:1313Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13); Rev. 21:11And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)).
In the minds of many Christians “glory” is synonymous with heaven. They speak of it as if it were a place in heaven where God dwells, to which a believer goes after he dies. Many hymns reflect this mistaken idea—such as: “Come join this holy band and on to glory go” (E. G. #29). Or, “None can to glory go, or dwell with God above...” (E. G. #307). However, in Scripture "glory" is a condition, not a place. The KJV doesn't help the matter, stating that Christ was "received up into glory" at His ascension (1 Tim. 3:1616And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)). But this is a mistranslation; the verse should say that He was received up "in glory," which means that He ascended to heaven in a glorified condition.
Using the phrases, "in glory" and “in the glory” the way Christians commonly do, confuses the present state of departed saints with their future state of glorification. Departed believers are in heaven with the Lord now, but they are not there in glory yet (a glorified state). Their bodies still lie in the grave, awaiting resurrection. J. N. Darby said, "The intermediate state, then, is not glory (for that we must wait for the body. It is raised in glory; He shall change our bodies, and fashion them like His glorious body)" (Collected Writings, vol. 31, p. 185). Thus, it would be incorrect to say that departed saints are "in glory." There is only one Man who is glorified now—Christ Himself (Acts 3:1313The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. (Acts 3:13); Phil. 2:9-119Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9‑11); 1 Tim. 3:1616And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16); 1 Peter 1:2121Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:21)).
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Shekinah “glory” refers to the visible presence of Jehovah dwelling over the camp of Israel in the wilderness (Ex. 13:21-2221And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (Exodus 13:21‑22)) and over the temple in the land of Canaan (2 Chron. 5:13-1413It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; 14So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:13‑14)). Shekinah is a Hebrew word, not found in Scripture, meaning “residence” or “presence” (Rom. 9:44Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; (Romans 9:4)). On account of Israel’s failure, the glory cloud was removed from them, signifying that God could no longer identify Himself publicly with His erring people. The glory cloud was removed slowly, showing the Lord’s reluctance to withdraw from His people. The Lord desired to dwell with them, but they were in such a state that it could not be possible any longer. The glory cloud was removed from them in seven stages:
•  It was over “the cherub” in the sanctuary (Ezek. 8:4; 94And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain. (Ezekiel 8:4)
4And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4):3a).
•  It removed “to the threshold of the house” (Ezek. 9:3b).
•  It removed to “over the threshold of the house” (Ezek. 10:44Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord's glory. (Ezekiel 10:4)).
•  It removed “off the threshold of the house” (Ezek. 10:1818Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. (Ezekiel 10:18)).
•  It removed to “the midst of the city” (Ezek. 11:22Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city: (Ezekiel 11:2)3a).
•  It removed to “the mountain which is on the east side of the city” (Ezek. 11:22Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city: (Ezekiel 11:2)3b).
•  It removed to “the plain [valley]” in Babylon “by the river Chebar” (Ezek. 3:2323Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face. (Ezekiel 3:23)).