"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory"
(Colossians 3: 4)
In this chapter we will continue our look at how the believer, though poor, weak, and powerless in this age and world, is nevertheless the truly "strong" in mind and spirit (Rom. 15: 1), and destined to come to full strength in his future glorification. We are talking about the attribute of power as a necessary qualification for being elect or elite. The unbelieving worldly elite are poor where the believer is rich and the believer is poor where the worldly elite are rich. Likewise, in regard to strength and power. The believer is strong where the unbeliever is weak, and vise versa.
In the previous chapter we ended with the idea that the future glorification of believers in the day of their resurrection will increase their power and authority, their powers and abilities, their status. Let us now then look more deeply at that coming glorification and transformation.
Glorification Of Believers
"And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away...But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (I Peter 5: 4, 10)
Talk about a text pregnant in its import! Talk about verses that are packed full! There is much to muse upon when Peter speaks of how believers have been "called unto his (God's) eternal glory" and "receive a crown of glory," "by Christ Jesus." Let us see if we can unpack some of the precious things wrapped up in these wonderful words. First, let us study what "glory" and "glorification" are, and what it means for the believer to be "glorified."
"Glory" is from the Greek word "doxa" ( from which get our word "doxology") Of the definition of this word scholars of the language and of new testament usage say:
"NT uses of doxa can be summarized as follows:
(1) A manifestation of light radiance, brightness, splendor (Acts 22.11 = Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to Paul on the Damascus Road); 1 Cor 15:40, 41, 43 = Moon, stars, sun, resurrected body
2) A manifestation of God’s excellent power glory, majesty (Ro 9.23, Lk 2:9, Acts 7:55, Ro 1:23)
3) An excellent reputation honor, glory, praise (Jn 5.41, 44, Lk 14:10, Jn 12:43, probably 1 Cor 11:15, 2 Co 6:8, 1 Th 2:6);
(4) A state characterized by honor, power, and remarkable appearance glory, splendor - quality of splendid, remarkable appearance (Mt 4:8 = kingdoms of the world, cp Lk 4:6 = the "glory of this earthly domain; Lk 24.26, 1Pe 1:24, Mt 6:29 = speaks of the "glory" of the Creation, Lk 12:27)
(5) Of a person created in the image of God reflection, glory (1Co 11.7);
(6) Of angelic powers around God - angelic beings, majesties, dignities (Jude 1:8)
New Unger's Bible Dictionary adds that glory "is the exercise and display of what constitutes the distinctive excellence of the subject to which it is spoken." (Preceptaustin - here)
Others say (same source):
TLNT writes that…Doxa means a subjective appraisal, an internal mental judgment, made by an individual or an assembly.
"Doxa most often translates the Hebrew Kabod (03519), from the root kbd, “be heavy,” evokes the idea of weight or that which confers weightiness (cf. 2 Cor 4:17, an eternal weight of glory) and hence esteem or respect, especially power and wealth. In this secular meaning, doxa can be translated sometimes “majesty” or “dignity,” sometimes “renown.”"
"Richards notes that in the Greek world…Doxa focused attention on the opinion held by others: it expressed the valuation placed by others on one's actions or achievements. A high valuation--ie, fame--exalted an individual over others. It was a goal of the Greeks to be honored and praised by others."
From this expanded definition of doxa (glory) we can see how obtaining power and authority, honor, dignity, majesty, renown, fame, esteem and praise, recognition, and such, are involved in glorification. Thus, to be called to the "eternal glory of Christ" involves tremendous empowerment and high exaltation. It will involve the believer having a "remarkable appearance," a "display of distinctive excellence," and "an excellent reputation." Paul, like Peter, spoke of it saying:
"The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom. 8: 16-18)
Glorification is mostly a thing of the future, an eventful experience for the believer at the second coming of Christ and the time of the "resurrection of the just (or righteous)." Some glorification is experienced by the believer in this life via his regeneration, continuous inward transformation, progressive sanctification, and growth in Christ. But it is but a partial and incomplete glorification. In the above words Paul speaks of future glory for all the believers, a time when they are all "glorified together," and when "glory is revealed" (Greek apocalypse, or unveiling) in them. Considering the full depth of meaning for "doxa" we can see how this day of revelation will involve obtaining great dignity and status. Peter connects glory with praise and honor. Said he:
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 1: 7)
What is said of the believer's faith is true of the believer himself, obviously. So, not only the believer's faith but the believer himself will be found unto "praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
There is very little praise, honor, and glory for the believer in Jesus in this present evil age. Now the believer and his faith are rather under heavy trial as a result of the persecution coming from unbelievers. Yet, he remains loyal to Christ, perseveres in his faith and allegiance to his risen Lord. And, why? It is because he firmly believes in his own future enjoyment of all that God has promised to believers.
This firm conviction gives believers strength to endure lives of poverty and adversity, for they know in themselves that they have in prospect a glorious everlasting future. So it is said of the persecuted first Christians that they "took joyfully the spoiling of their goods," and for this reason - "knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." (Heb. 10: 34) It makes them to say as Paul:
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation (Grk. 'apocalypse') of the sons of God." (Rom. 8: 19)
Similarly he wrote:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Cor. 4: 17-18)
Glory often includes the idea of radiance, shining forth, as in "the glory of the sun." It includes the idea of brilliance and brightness. It is the manifestation or revelation of the essence of a thing, of its excellence. Shining faces, as angels have, and as Moses had after seeing LORD God in the mountain in the glowing burning bush (Exo. 34: 29-35), are called "the glory of countenance or face."
"But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious." (II Cor. 3: 7-11)
There are degrees of glory. Paul speaks of how one thing, like the old covenant, is glorious, but yet less glorious than the new covenant. There is glory that fades away and is no more (as in the old covenant) and there is "the glory that excels."
"There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory." (I Cor. 15: 41)
We see how "glory" involves or implies light, so we can say "glory light of the sun," denoting the "shining" of that light, its effulgence, or brilliant radiant brightness. It unveils to the eye the par excellence of a thing, its splendor and magnificence. So the face of Moses gleamed brightly in reflecting the glory of God. So too did the face of our Lord while on the "mount of transfiguration."
"And (Jesus) was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." (Matt. 17: 2)
Such too will be the face and countenance of glorified saints. Also, like the Lord's, their clothing will also radiate brilliant light. Said the Lord Jesus:
"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matt. 13: 43)
The words "shine forth" are from the Greek word "eklampo," meaning to shine out, or to "outshine," be resplendent. The idea is that of what is sparkling or dazzling, what glows or beams. Every believer in his glorified state will be beautiful to look upon, striking in his appearance, impressive and imposing. The above words of the Lord are similar to what we find in the writings of the prophet Daniel.
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Dan. 12: 3)
Solomon said:
"A man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed." (Eccl. 8: 1)
Yes indeed, the "face" of the believer will not be as it was while he was in his earthly body, which often was unappealing, scarred, wrinkled, etc., but will be gloriously "changed." Throughout eternity, in his glorified spiritual body, the believer will be pleasant to look upon, drawing attention, being truly an attraction.
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