Glory

From: Doctrinal Definitions: A Handbook of Doctrinal Terms & Expressions in the New Testament

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Duration: 19min

• 14 min. read • grade level: 8

This is can be described as: “excellence in display” or “manifested excellence.” It is used in Scripture in connection with God 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); Phil. 2:11¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)) and God the Son (John 11:4; 13:31-32⁴When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. (John 11:4)
³¹Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. ³²If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. (John 13:31‑32)); it is also used to describe the final state of the saints.

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) says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we have contemplated His glory, a glory as of an only-begotten with a father), full of grace and truth.” This is an intrinsic glory that Christ has as being the only-begotten Son of God. It, also, is not an acquired glory; He always had it, being God's eternal Son (Isa. 9:6⁶For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6); Heb. 1:5⁵For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? (Hebrews 1:5); 1 John 4:14¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. (1 John 4:14)).

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.

When the term “Only-begotten” is applied to the Lord Jesus, it refers to His uncreated relationship with God the Father. It denotes the Father’s delight in Him. Similarly, when the Lord Jesus came among men, they saw Him living in the full enjoyment of His Father’s love. He was the Object of His Father’s undivided attention and delight (Matt. 3:17¹⁷And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17)), for He ever dwelt “in the bosom of the Father” (John 1:18¹⁸No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18); Prov. 8:30³⁰Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; (Proverbs 8:30)) as “the Son of His love” (Col. 1:13¹³Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13)). Joseph’s “coat of many colours” is a type of this glory. It distinguished him as being the son of his father’s special love (Gen. 37:3-4³Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. ⁴And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. (Genesis 37:3‑4)). He is a type of Christ.

Upon His return to His Father on high, the Lord requested that He might have this Sonship glory—which He had with the Father "before the world was"—as a glorified Man (John 17:5⁵And 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)). This was not a request to be re-invested with this glory because He never surrendered it. His request was to have it now as a glorified Man. This was granted in His ascension, when He was "received up in glory" (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)). This Sonship glory of Christ will not be shared with the redeemed, but the place He has as Son before the Father is shared with us! (Eph. 1:5⁵Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Ephesians 1:5); Gal. 4:5-6⁵To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. ⁶And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:5‑6))

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)).

The Lord’s glory as the Creator is not an intrinsic glory that He always had; there was a point in eternity past when He didn’t have this glory. It was acquired when “He made the worlds” (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); 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)). This glory is anything but veiled; it is displayed daily before all (Psa. 19:2-4²Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. ³There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. ⁴Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, (Psalm 19:2‑4)).

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.