God's Glory

The concept of God's glory is central to the biblical narrative, reflecting His divine majesty, holiness, and the manifestation of His presence. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for glory, "kavod," often denotes weightiness or worthiness, signifying the profound honor and reverence due to God. God's glory is both a visible and an invisible reality, representing His supreme authority and the splendor of His creation.

In Exodus 33:18-23, Moses requests to see God's glory, and the Lord responds, "I will cause all My goodness to pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion" . Here, God's glory is intertwined with His goodness and mercy, revealing His character to humanity.

The glory of God is also evident in the tabernacle and the temple, where His presence dwelt among the Israelites. In Exodus 40:34-35, the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle, signifying God's dwelling with His people. Similarly, in 1 Kings 8:10-11, when Solomon's temple was dedicated, "the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD" .

In the New Testament, the glory of God is most fully revealed in Jesus Christ. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" . Jesus embodies the divine glory, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He reveals the fullness of God's nature.

The Apostle Paul speaks of believers being transformed into the image of Christ, "from glory to glory," by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation reflects the ongoing work of sanctification, as believers are conformed to the likeness of Christ, who is the radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1:3).

God's Mystery

The mystery of God refers to the divine truths that were once hidden but have now been revealed through Christ and the gospel. In biblical terms, a mystery is not something incomprehensible but rather a sacred secret that God discloses to His people.

In the Old Testament, the mystery of God's plan is hinted at through prophecies and types, pointing to a future fulfillment. The Apostle Paul frequently uses the term "mystery" to describe the revelation of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 1:9-10, Paul writes, "And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ" .

The mystery of the gospel includes the inclusion of the Gentiles as fellow heirs with Israel, a truth that was not fully understood in previous generations. Ephesians 3:6 states, "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus" .

Moreover, the mystery of godliness is encapsulated in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In 1 Timothy 3:16, Paul declares, "Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory" . This passage highlights the incarnation, resurrection, and ascension of Christ as central elements of the divine mystery.

The mystery of God's will ultimately points to the eschatological hope of the believer, where God's purposes will be fully realized. In Colossians 1:27, Paul speaks of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" , emphasizing the indwelling presence of Christ as the assurance of future glory for believers.

In summary, God's glory and mystery are profound themes that permeate Scripture, revealing His majestic presence and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. These concepts invite believers to worship, trust, and participate in the divine narrative, as they await the ultimate revelation of God's glory in the new creation.