Tag: Exodus 33:18-20
The likeness of the Glory of God
Scripture reading for August 17: Ezekiel 1-6
Ezekiel had just turned 30 years of age and he was a priest who now entered full-time ministry. He had been taken into captivity and was in Babylon with a group of exiles which included Daniel and his friends. They met by the Chebar River to have their Sabbath observances and feast days. While they were meeting, God opened the heavens and gave Ezekiel a vision of God that changed his life and gave him direction and focus. God called him to go to His people and give them God’s Word. God warned him the people were rebellious, obstinate and stubborn. (Ezekiel 2:1-4)
The vision that Ezekiel saw of the throne of God was spectacular. It began with a windstorm coming from the north with a towering thundercloud and flashing lightning and fire in the center. As it got closer, Ezekiel could see four living creatures. (Ezekiel 1:4-9) These creatures had the form of a man but they had four faces and feet like a calf and four wings with hands underneath. They glowed like bronze and the faces were that of an eagle, ox, lion and man. Below on the ground, there was a wheel that sparkled and had another intersecting wheel. These wheels were full of eyes on the rim and enabled the creatures to move in all directions as the Spirit moved them. When these creatures with the wheels moved, there was a sound like that of roaring waters, like the voice of God.
As Ezekiel looked he noticed a glowing throne of sapphire above the creatures and on the throne was a figure like that of a man. He was glowing with fire and brilliant light surrounded Him. This light looked like a rainbow and glowed with radiance! (Ezekiel 1:26-28) This figure had the “likeness of the Glory of God”! When Ezekiel saw it he fell to the ground in awe. He was overcome by the likeness of God’s glory!
The Scripture states that sinful man would die if he could see the full radiance of His Glory. But God grants some grace to see a glimpse of His glory. Moses was hidden by God in the cleft of the rock and was allowed to see His backside. (Exodus 33:18-20) Now God has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show mankind the Glory of God. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) The gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to have the Glory of God revealed to us by the Spirit. We are being transformed by that grace gift with ever increasing glory! (2nd Corinthians 3:18) When Jesus Christ appears and the trumpet blows, we will be instantly transformed into a glorious body, like His glorious body! (1st Thessalonians 4:16-18) We now carry the “likeness of the Glory of God”!
We will see His Face!
Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 22:1-11
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Revelation 22:1-4 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His Name will be on their foreheads.”
As great as the vision of the holy city, the New Jerusalem was, the real reward for over-comers will be to see the face of the One who redeemed them and adopted them into His family! The cry of over-coming believers is for more of His presence! His prophets longed for Him, the Apostles longed to touch Him again, and His saints are promised that they will “reign with Him for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5)
Observations for over-comers: An old worship chorus declares: “O the glory of His Presence, We His people give Him reverence!” “Then Moses said, “Now show me Your Glory.” And the Lord said, “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim My Name, The Lord, in your presence. . .But, He said, “you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live.” (Exodus 33:18-20)
Faith and pleasing God!
Scripture reading for October 27th: Hebrews 11
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 11:1-3,6 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. . . . And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
God is invisible to sinful man. Because of sin, mankind has been cut off from beholding God for his own good and well-being. Sin cannot exist in the holiness of God’s glorious presence. But those who have had a relationship with God since Adam have come to Him by faith. They trust and are certain of God’s person and goodness. They believe that God created the visible world out of nothing at His own command. They understand that God is good and will reward those that believe although they cannot visibly see Him.
Observations for over-comers: Our faith will be rewarded eternal life and beholding God face to face in His glory! “Then Moses said, “Now show me Your glory.” . . . “But,” He said, “you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live.” (Exodus 33:18, 20)