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There are many, including those mature in their faith, who either do not understand or have an inaccurate understanding of the nature of God’s Glory. One common example is found in limiting God their notion of God’s Glory to His greatness. Although not wrong, this is an oversimplification. We will make the case that these are two distinct realities. The truth is misconceptions about His Glory limit our understanding of His purpose in His presence. Unpacking a few simple truths is a good place for us to start. Consider the wonderful, well known and often quoted assurance Jesus gave to us in Matthew 18:20 before He departed this Earth.

 

 

For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20

 

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Jesus said “I am with you always (Matthew 28:20). He also said "I will never leave or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus and promised us the presence of His Spirit (John 14:26). But, unlike His Presence, the Glory of God is NOT promised to us. Still, many conflate the presence of God with the glory of God and fail to understand the differences that separate these two distinct aspects of who God is. This is likely due to the beauty and wonder of His presence being so glorious in itself. Yet, the actual Glory of God speaks to a much wider reality of God than His awesome beauty. Perhaps an analogy can help clarify the nature of God’s Glory.

 

 

 

  

The multi-color spectrum of a rainbow in nature allows us to see the various and uniquely beautiful colors that when combined make pure white light. In a parallel manner there are many uniquely beautiful aspects that comprise the brilliance of God’s Glory. A list of Divine attributes can serve as examples of the manifold nature of His Glory. Yet, we must bear in mind that any list, no matter how long, will never be complete in the limited revelation that we have on this side of eternity.

 

Perhaps His Glory will unfold before us throughout eternity like colors we have yet to see. When Jesus assured us that our minds cannot conceive the wonder ahead of us (1 Corinthians 2:9) surely the manifold Glory of our God, we only see in part now, is central to it all. 

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