Christians frequently use the word GLORY. What does that word mean? A much loved hymn of the church begins with the words, "TO GOD BE THE GLORY!" GLORY literally relates to the reputation (an idea in the Greek word) or the sum total of the excellencies of any thing or any person. Add up all the excellencies of our God Jehovah (if that is even possible by any mere human attempt) and you have the glory of God or His Kingdom. Add up His omniscience, omipresence, mercy, love, grace and any other of His told or untold attributes and their sum would be His GLORY. What a mind boggling thought, even if scarcely comprehended. The Bible, as much as it underscores man's sinfulness, does likewise teach that man was made in God's image and when he or she learns God's wisdom possesses a glory of his own (Proverbs 3:35, etc.).
Often we refer to heaven calling it GLORY. In the last book of the Bible we are informed of many of the splendors of that place Jesus has gone to prepare for us (Revelation 21). Add up the details set forth and we understand it will be a glorious abode. In the meantime we wait for the GLORIOUS appearing, that of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the very first chapters of John, Colossians, and Hebrews we learn of the magnificent splendors of Jesus. He is very God, the Creator of heaven and earth and the sustainer thereof.
And then, rather humorously, but feebly, we dare place a yellow halo ring around His head trying to bring out this truth. It falls far short! But, with magnificent words, David does much more justice in his doxology of prayer. "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, AND THE GLORY, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head ABOVE all" (1 Chron. 29:11). And, of course, many other passages of Holy Writ do likewise. The doxologies of Scripture are worth reading again and again. We can increase our worship skills by incorporating this in our own prayers and expressions of worship.
And to think, forever, we believers will bask in His glory and that of all the works of His hands and will witness only glory in our fellow creatures. Glory!
-dick christen
