THE COMING GLORY
1. INTRODUCTION
Num. 14:21 As truly as I live all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.
· God’s people (Israel) failed to fulfill his purpose at that time.
· God declares his long term purpose will be fulfilled - all the earth see His Glory.
Ex.33:18-19 Show me your glory!
· Glory - manifestation of who God is - His goodness, power, holiness, majesty.
· Glory of God is so magnificent it cannot be directly viewed by people.
· v20 cannot see me and live.
2. GOD’S GLORY HAS MANIFESTED PROGRESSIVELY IN DIFFERENT DWELLING PLACES
· The Bible records how and where God’s glory manifested.
· People saw it in a veiled or concealed form or else saw it in the spirit.
· God manifested his glory in different dwelling places - each one pointing to what he has reserved for the end times.
· O.T. manifestations of the glory of God in natural buildings are prophetic pictures (types) of what he will do in the church.
· Ex.24:17 Mt. Sinai - The glory was like a devouring fire on the Mount.
· Ex.40:34 Moses Tabernacle - The glory filled it - no one was able to enter it.
· 2 Chron.5:14 Solomon’s Temple - The glory filled it - no one could stand.
· Jn.2:11 Jesus - The glory was manifested in creative miracles.
· Mk.9:2 Jesus - The glory filled his body and changed it.
· Jesus human body veiled the presence of the glory of God. The glory of God manifested powerfully through him wherever He went. All the glory - goodness of God dwelt in Jesus bodily. (Co.2:9).
· Eph. 2:19-22 The Church - We are the temple that God desires to fill.
· God is at work building our lives together to become a dwelling place where his glory will be manifested for all the earth to see.
· The glory manifests in measures - At this point we have each received a small portion of that glory (Eph. 1:13-14).
· When we come together in corporate life the measure of glory increases.
3. A COMING GLORY IS TO BE REVEALED
Hag.2:3 Who saw this house in its former glory? In comparison as nothing.
· This a OT prophetic picture of the Church in restoration.
· Its condition Hag.1:9 My house is waste!
· The house of God was in ruins. Everyone sought personal blessing.
· The prophetic call came to rebuild the house of God, the temple.
· v6-9 Hag. Prophecies concerning the end times of a great shaking spiritually and naturally that will affect all nations.
· God’s purpose - fill the house (the Church) with his glory!
· God’s promise - The glory of the latter house will be greater.
· God saves the best wine until last (Jn.2:1-11)
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· Compared to the NT church we are as nothing but the glory will be greater.
· The second coming of Jesus cannot take place until -
i) Restitution of all things spoken of by the prophets (Acts 3:21), Hag.2:9
ii) Gospel of the Kingdom preached in all the world, to all nations (Mt.24:14)
· Waves of the Spirit of God will come on the church to bring rapid restoration.
· When darkness increases in the world the glory of God will arise and be visible in the church and impact all nations. (Is.60:1).
4. THE GLORY OF THE END TIME CHURCH WILL BE GREATER!
· Hag. 2:9 “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former”.
· What was the glory of the former house (the NT church) like?
· At Pentecost the glory of the Lord filled the house.
i) Awareness of the Power of God - Supernatural Signs and Wonders!
Acts 2:1-4 Tongues of Fire Acts 5:14 Angelic intervention
Acts 4:31 House shaken Acts 19:11 Special miracles
Acts 5:15 The Shadow of Peter Acts 8:39 Supernatural transport
ii) Awareness of the Holiness of God - Judgment on Sin!
Acts 5:1-5 Ananias died - great fear (respect) for God
Acts 13:6-12 Elymas struck blind.
iii) Awareness of the Grace of God - Transformed lives!
Acts 2:13 Bold speaking Acts 9:31 Church multiplied
Acts 4:4, 5:14 Multitudes saved Acts 9:3 Dramatic conversions
Acts 4:34 Believer’s care for one another.
iv) Awareness of Sin and Rebellion Opposition and Division
Acts 5:4 Apostles Acts 8:1 Great persecution
Acts 7:59 Stephen killed Acts 13:50 Persecution
Acts 12:2 James killed Acts 14:4-5 City divided
v) Awareness of Word of God Cities and Regions evangelised
Acts 19:10 - All that dwelt in Asia heard the Word (v20)
Acts 17:6 - These men turned whole world upside down.
The coming glory is preceded by a period of preparation and restoration. Mk.1:1-5. Prepare the Way - Repent!
FOR DISCUSSION
Do not attempt to answer all the questions.
1. SHOW ME THE GLORY!
· Read Exod. 33:18-23; 34:5-6
· What is the glory of God? What are some of the qualities listed?
· Why can people not look upon God directly while in human body?
· What do you think is the significance of the expressions:
“You shall stand upon a rock” (Mt.16:18)
“I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you” (Col.3:3)
· What does the “rock” symbolise?
· How does a person “stand upon the rock” in practical terms?
· Why is it so important for a believer to be established in their “standing” before God?
· What erodes or undermines a believers standing with God?
2. “THEY COULD NOT STAND FOR THE GLORY”
· Read 2 Chron.5:1-3; 11-14
· What does it mean to be “sanctified”?
· What role does the Word of God have in sanctifying us? (Jn.17:17)
· What similarity is there between vs12 and Acts 1:15
· How is the experience of the glory coming to Solomon’s Temple similar to the outpouring at Pentecost? How does it differ?
· How is verse 13 similar to Acts 1:14 and Acts 2:1?
· Why is unity so important for God’s Spirit to move? (Ps.133)
· What was the focal point for the unity in v13?
· What happened as the people gathered in corporate worship?
· What was the impact upon people in v14?
· What was the impact of God’s glory being poured out on:
a) Disciples - Acts 2:1-4
b) Unsaved - Acts 2:7,12,13,37,41
· Why is it so important that the Word of God be preached when God’s glory is manifested?
3. GOD’S GLORY - A NEW AWARENESS
· Choose one of the 5 characteristics associated with the outpouring of the Glory of God in the NT church.
· Examine one or more scriptures related to that and discuss its significance for us today.