Seeking Glory Now
Many believers today wrestle with the idea of the glory of God. Some assume that God’s glory is something fully realized in the present age, something we are meant to chase after repeatedly through emotions or spiritual experiences. Others imagine the glory of God as an abstract spiritual state that we drift in and out of at any moment. But when we look closely at Scripture through a first-century Jewish and apocalyptic lens, we see a much clearer and more grounded picture.
According to the prophets, the apostles, and Jesus Himself, the glory of God can be revealed in part now, but its realization belongs to the age to come. What we experience in the present age is a pledge, a taste, and a witness of a greater glory that will be revealed on the day of the Lord. Understanding this difference helps us avoid the confusion of “kingdom now” thinking and anchors our hope in the future kingdom promised throughout Scripture.
Understanding Glory: Two Biblical Meanings
Before exploring how God’s glory is revealed both, we need to understand what the Bible means when it speaks of glory.
1. Glory as Weight or Substance (Kavod)
The Hebrew word kavod carries the sense of heaviness or substance. It speaks of something tangible, something felt, something that rests upon a person. This “weight” is connected to God’s holiness, His presence, and His reality breaking into the human world.
2. Glory as Honor or Radiance (Doxa)
The Greek word doxa refers to honor, reputation, and visible splendor. It is often associated with shining light, the visible brilliance of God’s majesty. Moses experienced this form of glory; his face shone after encountering the Lord, though this radiance faded because of human mortality and brokenness.
Together, these definitions help us see that glory can be both weighty and radiant, both tangible and visible. Yet both forms highlight the same truth: God’s glory is something real and powerful—and something not yet fully revealed.
The Glory of God in the Present Age
Creation Declares His Glory
Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God.” Creation displays God’s goodness, perfection, and craftsmanship. But this display is partial and temporary. It points to His glory, but it is not the fullness of His glory. The created world is a signpost, not the destination.
Moses as an Example of Temporary Glory
In Exodus 33:18–23, Moses encountered God’s glory and reflected it for a moment. Yet that radiance faded. This shows that the present human condition cannot sustain or contain the full weight of God’s glory. The temporary glow on Moses’ face anticipates a future glory that will not fade, a glory tied to resurrection and restoration.
The Spirit as a Pledge, Not the Fulfillment
Paul tells us that the Spirit is given as a pledge of the glory to come. In 2 Corinthians 3, he contrasts the fading glory on Moses’ face with the surpassing glory of the Spirit. The Spirit transforms us “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation is real, but it is preparatory. The Spirit’s work does not bring us into the fullness of glory now; it shapes us in anticipation of the day when Jesus returns.
The Spirit empowers godliness, forms Christlike character, and gives spiritual gifts to build up the church. These experiences reflect God’s glory, but they are not the arrival of the glory itself. They are glimpses of the future kingdom, given so that we might endure faithfully until the Lord appears.
Jesus Is Glorified Now And We Anticipate That Glory
Jesus is glorified at the right hand of the Father. Because of this, we experience the life of Christ through the Spirit in this present age. Our conduct, our love, our perseverance, and our faith reflect the brightness of His glory. But this reflection remains partial. It is not the unveiled glory. It is not the glory of the last day. It is a sign of what is coming.
The Glory of God Yet to Come
Scripture consistently points us to a future day when God’s glory will be revealed in full.
A Glory the Whole World Will See
Isaiah 40:5 promises, “The glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together.” This is not an individual spiritual experience. This is global. Visible. Apocalyptic. It belongs to the day of the Lord.
Glory Revealed at the Coming of Christ
"and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Romans 8:17-18
Romans 8:17–18 tells us that if we suffer with Christ now, we will be glorified with Him when He comes. Paul explicitly states that this glory is not accessible now. It will be revealed at the resurrection, when Jesus returns.
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds."
Titus 2:11-14
Titus 2:11–14 builds on this: we are waiting for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. His appearing brings the glory.
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:30
Matthew 24:30 says that the Son of Man will come “with power and great glory.” This is the climactic moment when the glory of God floods creation—through judgment, resurrection, and restoration.
Not a Timeless State, But a Future Reality
The glory of God is not a vague spiritual atmosphere floating around us. It is a concrete future event tied to the return of the Messiah, the resurrection of the dead, and the restoration of the earth. This aligns with the first-century Jewish hope: God’s glory fills the earth after He judges wickedness, restores creation, and establishes the reign of His anointed King.
How We Seek the Glory of God
Seeking Glory Means Seeking His Coming Kingdom
To seek the glory of God is not to pursue emotional experiences. It is to pursue His coming kingdom, His return, and the resurrection from the dead. We seek glory by laying down our lives in this age and setting our hope on the age to come. In order to obtain the glory of Christ, we must unite with the sufferings of Christ in this age.
Suffering as Preparation for Glory
Paul describes our present trials as “momentary, light affliction” that prepares us for an “eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The weight of future glory far surpasses anything we endure now.
Romans 2:7 tells us that those who persevere in doing good are seeking “glory and honor and immortality.” This seeking is expressed in faithful obedience, righteous living, and steadfast endurance. Not in chasing emotional highs.
Peter reinforces this in 1 Peter 4:13–14. Those who share in Christ’s sufferings will rejoice “at the revelation of His glory.” Suffering now is not a mark of distance from God, but of proximity to the glory that will soon be revealed. More on Suffering and the Glory to Come.
The Glory of God Comes Through Judgment and Restoration
The glory of the future age is tied to two major works of God:
- Judgment: The crushing of the serpent’s head promised in Genesis 3:15. Jesus executes this judgment at His return.
- Restoration: The renewal of the earth and the resurrection of the dead. Habakkuk 2:14 says the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
The future glory is not symbolic. It is not spiritualized. It is the concrete fulfillment of God’s covenant promises.
In Closing: A Balanced Summary
It is not wrong to experience the glory of God in this age. The Spirit’s presence is real. God’s nearness can be felt. His character can be reflected in our lives. But Scripture does not teach us to chase repeated experiences of glory in the present age. Instead, it teaches us to pursue holiness, endure faithfully, and set our hope on the glory that will be revealed when Jesus comes.
The glory of God is coming. It is certain. It is promised. And it will fill the whole earth. Our calling is not to seek emotional intensity but to live faithfully now in anticipation of the kingdom that is approaching.
Maranatha.
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