The concept of the "Vision of Glory" in the Bible refers to the divine revelations and manifestations of God's majesty and splendor as experienced by various individuals throughout the Scriptures. These visions often serve to reveal God's holiness, power, and divine plan, providing insight and encouragement to His people.

Old Testament Instances

One of the most profound visions of glory is found in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 6:1-4 , the prophet Isaiah describes his encounter with the Lord: "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they called out to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth.' The doorposts and thresholds shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke." This vision emphasizes God's holiness and the overwhelming nature of His presence.

Ezekiel also experienced a vision of God's glory. In Ezekiel 1:26-28 , he describes a vision of a throne and the appearance of a figure like a man: "And above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire. And on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what appeared to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire, and brilliant light surrounded Him. The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD." This vision underscores the majesty and awe-inspiring nature of God's presence.

New Testament Revelations

In the New Testament, the Vision of Glory is most notably seen in the Transfiguration of Jesus. In Matthew 17:1-2 , it is recorded: "After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." This event reveals the divine nature of Christ and His preeminence, affirming His identity as the Son of God.

The Apostle John also received a Vision of Glory in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 1:12-16 , John describes his vision of the risen Christ: "Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest." This vision serves to reveal the authority and glory of Christ as the eternal King and Judge.

Theological Significance

The Vision of Glory throughout the Bible serves multiple purposes. It reveals the holiness and majesty of God, providing a glimpse into the divine realm. These visions often come at pivotal moments, offering reassurance and guidance to God's people. They underscore the transcendence of God while also affirming His immanence, as He reveals Himself to humanity in profound and personal ways. The visions also point to the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, who embodies the fullness of God's glory.