JESUS, THE BRIGHTNESS OF GOD'S GLORY Thrones and Dominions There are "thrones . . . dominions . . . rulers . . . authorities." On the lower side of this hierarchy are earthly kings and potentates, but they are nothing to be compared with spiritual authorities. Daniel was told of spiritual powers that exercised some control in this world. Two were mentioned in particular: "the prince of Persia," and "the prince of Grecia" (Dan 10:13,20). John the Revelator wrote of angels that had "power over fire" (Rev 14:18), and "the angel of the waters" (Rev 16:4-5). These, together with every other form of authority, were made "by Him and for Him." The Brightness of God's Glory This thought has challenged the greatest minds of our race--as well as that of angels. Jesus is "the radiance of God's glory" (NIV), or "the brightness of His glory" (NRSV). Darby's translation, and the ASV, says it this way; "the effulgence of his glory." -- Tomorrow:
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Devotion 8 of 14
For this reason, no personality or influence from the seen or unseen realm can separate us "from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:35-39). Even our adversary the devil, together with all of the powers that follow him, are under the control of Jesus. Like Pharaoh, they are contributing to His glory, although they are quite unwilling to do so. When our Savior is finished with them, they will be cast into the lake of fire. Until then, we are to be sober and vigilant about the devil, but not fearful of him.
The Spirit is not referring to a physical impression of God, like Israel experienced at Sinai (Ex 24:10). God's Person is comprehended by a perception of His purpose, His work, His glorious objectives. Looking into the face of Jesus is not an activity of the flesh, like those that beheld Him before His death and resurrection. As it is written, "Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer" (2 Cor 5:16, NASB).
God the Father is seen most clearly in the Lord Jesus Christ. As it is written, "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Cor 4:6). Only in Christ is an accurate perception of God found! Study cannot appropriate such knowledge. Nor, indeed, can the analysis of nature, or a finely-spun Scriptural hermeneutic. Men search in vain to comprehend God apart from Christ Jesus. As it is written, " . . . so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:2-3, NIV).
When we behold the significance of Jesus--His Person and accomplishments--we are seeing the glory of God! We obtain insight into the "love of God" (1 John 3:16). His desire to transform and receive men is seen in Jesus. When you are confronted with the Son of God in the Gospels, you are beholding God! The responses of the Savior to the infirm, children, religious bigots, earnest seekers, and those who are contrite, reveal the heart of God!
Jesus is the brightness of God's glory! You could not see this glory in Moses--even when his face shone as the noonday sun! You could not see it in Elijah, even when he was translated into heaven! Nor, indeed, could this glory be seen in the Law of Moses!
God the Father is most clearly seen in Jesus! He is not perceived with such clarity anywhere else! The church, even though it is raised and sanctified, does not project such glory. It is not the "effulgence," or fulness, of the glory of God! If men are ever to become acquainted with God, they must become acquainted with Christ Jesus! They must learn the significance of His words and works. They must be captured by the glory of His Person. If the church is going to do the work of God, it must major on Christ Jesus. It will not do to become occupied with what it conceives to be the work of God if Jesus is neglected! To the extent Jesus is obscured, God is veiled, and His work cannot be discerned!
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for, and glory in, the fulness of the revelation of Yourself in the person of Your Son!