History, creation, and His special revelation (the Bible) are all about declaring the Glory of God. Understanding His intrinsic glory is essential to rightly ascribing glory to God. We do not add or give glory to God, but rather ascribe glory to Him based on what is revealed about Him. In our look at God’s glory, we see how He reveals His glory. We discover this glory through both his natural and special revelation. As a result, we then respond by giving glory to Him, which He only deserves. Comprehending His glory leads us to say Soli Deo Gloria. Let us examine ways in which God reveals to us His glory!
God’s Glory in Creation
Creation itself proclaims the glory of its Maker. “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and the expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). Every star, mountain, and ocean speaks of His greatness.
The psalmist adds, “O Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who displays Your splendor above the heavens” (Psalm 8:1). Encoded in the universe is the glory of God, woven into every part of the creation. The beauty and order of creation are not random; they are a testimony pointing us back to the Creator.
God’s Glory in His Word
Creation alone is not enough to fully reveal God’s glory to us. Sin clouds our vision through our fallen nature, and we often misinterpret what we see. Paul explains this in Romans 1:19–20, “For although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became worthless in their thinking… and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image” (Romans 1:21, 23).
Although we see God’s glory in creation, it is tainted by our understanding. If we leave it to observation alone, our misinterpretation often leads us to worship the things we see because they reveal the glory of God. We exchange the glory of God for things that are created over and above the Creator. This is why God also displays His glory through His Word. Scripture clarifies what creation declares and reveals God’s glory in a way our darkened hearts cannot distort. His Word not only describes His glory but calls us to worship Him rightly and forsake false worship. God’s perfect revelation of Himself is made known by what he says about Himself. But he not only speaks about who He is and has further revealed it through His Son, Jesus Christ, in the scripture.
God’s Glory in the Life and Work of Christ
The glory of God is most clearly seen in the life of Jesus Christ. When Christ came, John said, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Jesus is the depiction of His glory. Though His spiritual glory is veiled on this earth while He lived, Christ displayed His glory through His character and works. Hebrews 1:3-4 says, “In these last days [God] spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, who is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the Word of His power; who, having accomplished cleansing for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Christ is the exact representation of God, and He displays it through His perfect life, His death, and His resurrection, showing the glory of God with perfection. We behold these glories in His holiness, power, justice, compassion, love, mercy, and miraculous signs! Christ’s glory is ultimately revealed in his resurrection from the dead (1 Peter 1:20). Jesus has revealed the glory of God through His life.
God’s Glory in Salvation
God’s glory is also revealed in the work of salvation. Every sinner who turns to Christ, the power and beauty of His glory are n display through their conversion. Paul explains this in 2 Corinthians 3:15–18: “But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
In salvation, the veil of blindness is lifted from reading the law of God. By the Spirit of God hearts are opened to see Christ for who He truly is. As we come to Christ, we behold His glory and are transformed by it. We are moved from death to life, from enmity to peace, from sin to righteousness, from despair to hope. The glory of salvation is not only in the forgiveness of sins, but in the ongoing transformation of believers’ life, “from glory to glory” as we are conformed to the image of Christ.
God’s Glory in the Church
God reveals His glory in the Church in a unique and powerful way. The Apostle Paul makes this clear when he writes, “To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen”(Ephesians 3:21). After unfolding God’s plan of salvation, the mystery of Jew and Gentile brought together as one body in Christ, Paul then shows that the end result is the glory of God in the Church. The Church exists so that God would be glorified.
The glory of God is further displayed in the unity of the Church. Jesus Himself prayed that His people would share in His glory. In His high priestly prayer, He said, “The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world“ (John 17:22–24).
God’s glory is not only displayed to the Church but also shared with the Church. The unity of believers is founded in Christ’s own glory and is a testimony to God’s present glory. This unity is only found in God’s truth. Jesus says prior to this that the Church is sanctified in truth (v17-19). Truth precludes unity. God’s sanctification is displayed in the life of the Church, having many members with different giftings (Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). This building up of the Church is first for His glory (Eph. 3:21) and ultimately displayed as He presents His Church glorious (Eph. 5:27, Rev 1:6).
God’s Glory Revealed In Future Judgement
We see God’s Glory revealed in His future return and judgment of sin. Paul writes of Christ’s glory being displayed in judgment of the ungodly who do not believe and who do not obey the gospel 1 Thessalonians 6-10. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 Since it is right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give rest to you who are afflicted and to us as well at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, executing vengeance on those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our witness to you was believed.
God’s glory is also revealed in Christ, both in the eternal punishment of evil and the salvation of His saints. The judgment of sin is displayed from the “glory of His might.” Conversely, He is also glorified in the salvation of His saints. All will see Christ in His glory (Luke 21:27). God’s glory will be revealed to both believers and unbelievers. All will see Him and confess Him as Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11)!
From creation to Christ, from salvation to the Church, and even in final judgment, God’s glory shines forth. We do not add to it but behold and declare it. As Paul says, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). All of history, redemption, and eternity testify with one voice…Soli Deo Gloria.
Take time this week to reflect on the ways God has revealed His glory in your life. How has He shown you His glory through His Word, His Son, and His Church?