Hope in the Glory of God

Our salvation is anchored to the past due to Jesus’ sacrifice providing reconciliation for all that believe.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:Romans 5:1

Our salvation is anchored to the present as we stand in the grace of God, the hope of the Gospel and the continual intercession of Jesus for us.

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;Colossians 1:23

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.Hebrews 7:25

Our salvation is anchored to the future as we look to the future promise of Heaven and the glorification of the believer.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.John 14:1-3

glory: something that is worthy of praise or exaltation; brilliance; beauty; renown.

God possesses intrinsic or inherent glory.

God is the only being in all of existence who can be said to possess inherent glory.

And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?Exodus 16:6-7

We don’t have to give glory to God, He already has it.

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.1 Chronicles 29:11

We ascribe glory to God.

We cannot add to God’s glory, but we can recognize it and validate it.

A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.Psalm 29:1-2

Although we cannot add to God’s glory, we can confirm it and praise Him for it, and we can add to the world’s perception of it.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.Revelation 4:11

Mankind has acquired glory.

Mankind does not have inherent glory, it is granted by God at salvation.

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Romans 8:17

Those who are saved are being changed into the image of Jesus through sanctification.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.2 Corinthians 3:18

We are called, justified, sanctified and finally glorified. Glorification is the completion, the consummation, the perfection, the full realization of salvation.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.Romans 8:29-30

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Romans 8:17

Glorification is the perfection of sanctification when we reach our sinless, perfect state in Heaven.

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.Ephesians 5:27

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.1 John 3:2

The inherent glory of God cannot be added to.

The perceived glory of God can be diminished by how we live.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.1 Corinthians 10:31

Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.Romans 2:23-24

The glory of God is our hope.