His Redemption Glory
This is a glory that Christ has won by going into death to accomplish redemption. Having glorified God over the question of sin, God “raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory” (1 Peter 1:21). He is now at God’s right hand “crowned with glory and honor” (Heb. 2:9). This is an acquired glory that He shares with the redeemed. “The glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them” (John 17:22; 2 Thess. 2:14). A type of this is found in the trespass offering, where “the fifth part” was added (Num. 5:67). When a man made amends for his offence, he came with a sacrifice and returned what he had taken away. He also added one-fifth more, so that the offended party got back more than what was taken away.
The outburst of sin in the creation has been an offence to the holiness of God the Creator. God has been robbed of worship, obedience, service and glory. Christ’s death not only satisfied the claims of divine justice, it went a step further and glorified God by redeeming trophies of His grace, bringing many sons to glory. In that sense, He added the fifth part. He has brought a glory to God that He never would have had, had sin not entered the world. When Christ appears, He will put the trophies of His grace on display so that “the world may know” this glory (John 17:23; 2 Thess. 1:10).
The Glory of His Preeminence
When the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, He became the head of a new race of men (the new creation; Rev. 3:14). Christ risen is “the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). The believer now is no longer looked at as under the headship of Adam, but under the headship of Christ (Rom. 5:15-21; 1 Cor. 15:22). “If anyone be in Christ, there is a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17 JND).
Every believer in the Lord Jesus is of the same kind as Christ in the new creation. (Compare Genesis 1:21, 24-25; 2:23.) “Both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare Thy name unto My brethren” (Heb. 2:11-12). Because He is the firstborn from among the dead, His Father has given Him a special glory that distinguishes Him from all other men in that new race, so that “in all things He might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18).
Christ’s great desire now is that “they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me” (John 17:24). This is a glory that we will behold, but not share. He will always have that first place in new creation. While He is not ashamed to call us brethren, the Word of God never tells us to call Him our brother. His glory of preeminence sets Him apart from familiarity.
His Official Kingdom Glory
The Old Testament Scriptures are filled with descriptions of Christ’s kingdom glory. Every godly Israelite looked for the day when their Messiah and King would reign over the earth. When the kingdom will be established in power in the world to come, “all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord” (Num. 14:21; Hab. 2:14; Ezek. 39:21; 43:2). “I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see My glory . . . that have not heard My fame, neither have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles” (Isa. 66:18-19). When the Lord Jesus walked among men He veiled this glory, with the exception of the preview given to three of the apostles on the mount of transfiguration (Matt. 17:19; 2 Peter 1:16-18). This is a glory that the Lord will share 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, the church as the bride of Christ will reflect His kingdom glory before the world (Rev. 21:9-22:5).
Summary
The Lord Jesus had two great glories in the past eternity (His Godhead glory and His Sonship glory). Then when He created the universe, there was added His creation glory. When He became a Man another glory was apparent (His moral glory). Upon completing redemption, He acquired two more glories (His redemption glory and His preeminent glory). Then when He comes again (the appearing), all the world will see His official kingdom glory in the millennium.
B. Anstey