Glory as Described in the Bible

What is Glory?

In biblical terms, glory is the radiant, visible display of God’s presence, holiness, and sovereign majesty.

Exodus 24:16-17 describes God’s glory resting on Mount Sinai as a cloud and fire, symbolizing His active engagement with humanity. This concept emphasizes that glory is a dynamic manifestation of divine reality, not an abstract attribute. Such depictions emphasize God’s otherness and the awe His presence commands.

The term also appears in Isaiah 6:3, where seraphim proclaim the Lord’s holiness, linking glory to worship and reverence. These examples set the stage for exploring how glory shapes biblical narratives and theological reflection.

Glory in the Old Testament

The Old Testament portrays glory as the tangible manifestation of God’s presence within covenantal relationships.

In Exodus 16:7, God’s provision of manna is framed as an act of His glory, affirming His active role in sustaining His people. Exodus 40:34-38 describes the cloud and fire that filled the Tabernacle, visibly marking God’s dwelling among Israel and guiding them. These passages underscore glory as both a sign of divine holiness and a marker of covenant faithfulness.

1 Kings 8:10-11 records the Ark of the Covenant being enveloped by a cloud in Solomon’s Temple, symbolizing God’s indwelling presence. This moment highlights glory’s dual role in revealing God’s majesty and affirming His enduring commitment to His people, setting a foundation for later theological developments.

Glory in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the focus of God's glory shifts decisively to Jesus Christ, reflecting His unique role in redemption.

John 1:14 declares, 'The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,' linking Christ's incarnation to the tangible manifestation of divine majesty. 2 Corinthians 4:6 further explains this as God 'shining in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,' emphasizing revelation through Christ. This reorientation underscores that Jesus embodies and fulfills the covenantal presence of God seen in the Old Testament.

John 12:41 records Isaiah's recognition of the Lord's glory in Christ's ministry, illustrating how Jesus' life and work fulfill Old Testament prophecies. Theologically, this shift highlights that glory in the New Testament is the unveiled presence of God's redemptive purposes in human history, not a divine attribute. Such developments frame Christ as the ultimate revelation of God's holiness and the climax of His saving work.

Isaiah 6:3 and the Holiness of God

Isaiah’s vision of the Seraphim crying 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory' (Isa. 6:3) unveils the transcendent glory of God as inseparable from His holiness.

The triadic repetition of 'holy' in this verse, a structure unique to Isaiah’s theology, underscores the infinite, self-existent nature of God’s holiness - a quality that defines His essence and distinguishes Him from all creation. The cosmic declaration that 'the whole earth is full of His glory' positions divine holiness not as a static attribute but as a dynamic, all-encompassing reality that saturates creation. This linkage between holiness and glory suggests that God’s glory is the radiant manifestation of His moral perfection, not His power or majesty. Such a portrayal challenges finite human comprehension, as the seraphim’s worship acknowledges an overwhelming holiness that demands veiled faces and covered feet in reverence.

This moment in Isaiah’s temple vision establishes a theological framework where holiness is both the source and the content of God’s glory. The seraphim’s unceasing proclamation reflects the eternal, unchanging nature of God’s holiness, which transcends temporal and spatial boundaries. Their worship anticipates later biblical themes where glory is revealed through Christ’s incarnation (John 1:14), ensuring that the Old Testament’s cosmic vision of holiness finds its fulfillment in the New Testament’s redemptive revelation.

Why Glory Matters Today

The revelation of God's glory in Isaiah 6:3, where holiness and majesty intersect, calls believers to a transformative understanding of worship, ethics, and ultimate hope in God's redemptive purposes.

In worship, glory directs our gaze to God's transcendent holiness, compelling reverence as seen in Isaiah's temple vision. Ethically, it challenges us to align our lives with His moral perfection, recognizing that His glory saturates creation and demands holy living. Eschatologically, the fullness of God's glory awaits in the new heavens and earth, where His people will dwell in His presence forever.

This awareness of God's glory informs daily choices, fostering humility, integrity, and a longing for His kingdom. As we reflect on His holiness, we are equipped to live as His ambassadors, awaiting the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess His glory.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of glory, explore how it is revealed in Christ's ministry and the eschatological fulfillment described in revelation.

In the Gospels, Jesus' glory is seen in John 1:14, where His incarnation embodies God's majesty. Revelation 21:1-4 describes the new heavens and earth, where God's glory will dwell fully with His people, offering a vision of ultimate redemption.