30th November 2021
Minister: Pastor Seyi Osanyinbi
The theme ‘Glory’ is one of the most difficult things to teach because existing human words cannot fully explain the vastness of what it entails, coupled with the fact that it is not seen.
The Greek word for glory is doxa and when translated into English has these meanings:
• To have a positive opinion, perspective or view about something that will elicit praise and honour.
• Splendour and brightness -This meaning is associated with the moon, sun and other heavenly bodies and used to define their manifestation. This glory cannot be touched but can be quantified as sensed. Glory in this perspective is appreciated because we are creatures of light and we gravitate towards it.
In the description of the palace of Solomon in 2 Chronicles 9:1-12, it can be judged that Solomon displayed a level of human glory such that has not been seen before. However, the glory of the kingdom of God surpasses any earthly glory. Therefore, we must be careful what words we use and who we ascribe the words to. In my opinion, words such as awesome should be used for no other but God. He is God, full of majesty and no one matches with him. Words used to describe God are not truly encompassing of who He is, they are only humans’ best expression.
Every attribute of God cannot be likened to anything or anyone else. Giving more instances of His majesty, God is the ultimate definition of perfection. Nothing in creation exemplifies perfection but God. Again, God does not reflect light, he generates light. He never casts shadow on anything.
The majesty of God is reflected in the kind of persons who worship Him. Isaiah 6:2 gives a description of the beings that worship God. These beings veiled their faces most likely because of the glory that emanates from the presence of God. They cry ‘Holy’, not because they are programmed to do that tirelessly but because they see a new dimension of God every time they behold Him.
An understanding of the glory of the kingdom gives Christians the reason to be focused on their service in the kingdom. There is an assurance of a better place in God if we are willing to live dependent on Him.
You cannot understand what you have not seen, you can only rely on the testimony of others about it. Therefore, John in Revelation 4:1ff, gave a good testimony of what he saw. As earlier established, the majesty of a person is defined by the beings who worship him. Here, the person introducing the king has a special feature of how he spoke. Also, John saw the throne and the One who sat on it which was similar to the experience in Isaiah 6.
A measure of the glory was shown to John and the account is recorded in scriptures.
The glory of God is imbedded in His person and it is reflective in the things that surround Him. Through those things He is appreciated.