You are here: Home >> Other >> Word and Topic Studies >> Image/Likeness of God TITLE Page

 

The IMAGE and LIKENESS of GOD


The Relationship between GOD, JESUS CHRIST and MAN



11. The concept of "glory" (overview only)



What is "Glory"?

The expression of one's dignity, honor, worth, greatness, splendor, majesty. The qualities that form the basis for boasting, or a high opinion about someone/something. In heavenly beings, the "internal" glory can be seen (externally) as a brightness or light that radiates out from them.



A number of the passages that were examined for this study mention the concept of "glory." Others mention "light," "brightness," or something similar - a visible representation of glory. These passages are listed below.


For the purposes of our study, we noted the presence of the word "glory," but did not examine the word further.


The verses are quoted from the World English Bible (public domain).



Passages that contain the concept of: glory / glorious / etc.

 

1.         The glory of God - rejected by humans.

Romans 1:22-23 - Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.

 

2.         The radiance of God's glory - seen in the Son

Hebrews 1:3 - His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

3.         The glory of God - seen in Jesus' exaltation.

Philippians 2:6-11 - [Christ Jesus,] who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

4.         God's glory - the reason he called us to salvation.

2 Peter 1:3-4 - ... his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue; by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.

 

5.         The glory of the Lord - we are being transformed into its image.

2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.

 

6.         The glory of God... the glory of man.

1 Corinthians 11:7 - For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man.

 

7.         The glory of Jesus' body - ours will become like it.

Philippians 3:20-21 - For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.



Passages that contain the concept of: light / brightness / shining / etc.

 

1.         The "Father of lights"

James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.

 

2.         Jesus as the light in the shadow of death.

Matthew 4:16 - "... the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned."

Luke 1:78-79 - "... because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high [= Jesus] will visit us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace."

 

3.         Jesus - his appearance changed on the mountain.

Matthew 17:2 - He [Jesus] was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.

Mark 9:2-3 - After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them. His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

Luke 9:28-29 - It happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.

 

4.         The angel at the tomb's appearance.

Matthew 28:3 - [The angel at the tomb.] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

 

5.         Satan's "masquerade" as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:14 - And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. [His servants will also pretend to be righteous.]



Passages containing both concepts.

 

1.         New Jerusalem - the glory of God present; the city's light described.

Revelation 21:10-11 - He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; ...

 

2.         The glory of Christ = the light of the good news - the unbelieving are blind to it.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 - Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.


Dennis Hinks © 1983, 2006

060218

 

Previous Page    |    Next Page