ear friends! Listen and be aware! It is not limited to us being partners with him in his death and resurrection and being seated at the right hand of the Father!

So what is meant by glory?

The book of Hebrews says, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things.” [1] He is heir to the Father in his glory and kingdom and divinity, and Hebrews’ description of Christ at his core puts him at the highest of all levels, greater and more exalted than anything else. Hebrews goes on to say, ‘…and through whom he made the universe [including heaven and all his glories in it, his angels, his principalities and the earth]. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.’ [2] The radiance of the Father’s glory is brilliant light at which no eye, not human or angelic, has the strength to glance. It penetrates the enlightened heavenly creation and makes it transparent, only seen by the eye of God. This also is the radiance of Christ’s glory that springs from the radiance of the Father’s glory, which we humans cannot ponder lest we be struck blind. The radiance of the glory of the Father and Christ belongs solely to the one who abandons the highest heavens. Man can penetrate it only if God covers his eyes as he did with Moses.

Look, reader, and wonder! Christ not only gives us his body but he also gives us the halo of his personal glory, which is beyond the vision of the angels. The amazing thing is that because Christ gives us the glory that is his, we are placed above all creation in heaven and earth. This is the mystery of Christ’s statement that we will be one with him and the Father.[3]

Glory, dear brethren, will overshadow us – and what glory it is! It is the glory of the divinity, in which the Father chose us to dwell by his own pleasure and timeless purpose.[4] I realize it is difficult for us to imagine such a thing within us, because until now we are clothed in dust and commit sin! Yet, what shall we do since God’s gleaming arrow, which carries God’s highest purposes, pierces the ages, generations and time itself, and strikes above man’s head, whom Satan had caused to be his adversary.

Since God by his eternal purpose has made us partners in the image of his glory in righteousness, holiness and truth, he gave us victory over the enemy’s injustice and despotism, subjecting him under our feet as we drive over his head.

Do not forget, brothers, that our portion in the glory of Christ and the Father matches in equal opposition to the subjection of the creation of man since the beginning of time under the vigor of merciless Satan.

The fact that Christ gives us the glory he receives from the Father means he wipes from the eyes of helpless man the tears poured out by all the ages! Satan gave us sin, shame and destruction, weakness and disgrace. From the beginning he has shoved us into the dust with no one left to mourn us!! In turn God sent his Son to raise man from the humiliation of sin and shame and to give us a home in heaven, after Satan had made our dwelling the dust of the earth. Above all, and despite all, God gave us his glory.

Christ wiped off tears and in place of sin, shame and disgrace, gave us the glory that is his.

September 26, 2005

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