We have, first, the object fully revealed by the power of God shining in upon the soul, but giving it as an object in its own perfection-" The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face [person] of Jesus Christ." Here was the divine object, life in glory. " God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6)
But, secondly, it was really possessed as life within: " We have this treasure in earthen vessels," which of course did not answer to the object.
Thirdly, this was the occasion of the display of divine power, and the exercise of dependence. " That the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (2 Cor. 4:7) Hence cast down, and divine power sustaining. " We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." (2 Cor. 4:8, 9) The manifestation of the life, in proportion of the sentence of death in ourselves, God securing by the path that nature be kept in check-the new man developed and exercised. "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." (2 Cor. 4:10, 11.)
Fourthly, then comes the possession of the glory to which the power is competent to work us, and of which we are assured. This power is in " knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you," (2 Cor. 4:14, and on to chap. 5) only he sees there is power enough in this life, seen in Christ, to swallow up what is mortal, so that death disappears.
Not yet having possession of the objective glory, we have the earnest of the Spirit, and the certainty already that God has wrought us for the very glory we have seen in Christ. "Now he that bath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also bath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." To this we have a most wonderful and glorious result as regards the time of seeing Christ in the glory.
All (saints and sinners) will be manifested before His tribunal. Thus, while seeking to be agreeable to Him ourselves, we have the terror of the Lord before us. But what is the effect? We are righteousness perfected for Him, purified by God according to the purity of God. Hence the manifestation of the light which judges raises no question then at all. Indeed we shall be glorified to appear before the judgment seat, for Christ will come and receive us to Himself.
But there are two aspects of God, perfect holiness and purity, and love. The purity in judgment having to do with His own purification of us, whom He will then have conformed to the image of His Son who sits on the judgment seat. There is, as to this conformity, no question; but this other part of God's nature, love, free to act in virtue of this conformity, constrains when the judgment is thought of, and he seeks to persuade men. "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences ... For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then all were dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." (2 Cor. 5:11, 14, 15.) Yet we are still in the body, still in conflict; but we have this immense advantage from the revelation of this glory in judgment, not that we think of being manifested, though we shall be; but that that being laid hold of by faith we are manifested to God. This is a glorious position, and full of preciousness to our souls, if in truth we seek to be with God.
This is all founded on the work stated in 2 Cor. 5:20, 21: " Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
HYMN.
Oh! dearest Savior take my heart:
Where can such sweetness be,
As I have tasted in Thy love,
As I have found in Thee?
Let every fervor of my soul,
Be Thy sweet sacrifice,
Forever be at thy control,
And but to serve Thee rise.
'Tis heaven on earth to know Thy love,
To feel Thy quickening grace;
And all the heaven I hope above
Is but to see Thy face.
Then keep me in Thy love, O Lord,
And teach me of Thy ways,
Till Thou shalt come to take me home,
And see Thee face to face.