When Moses erected the tabernacle for the first time, God's glory filled the tabernacle. The purpose was to give a dwelling place among the people. Israel was marked by this: the glory of God dwelt among them. The glory cloud was a symbol of God's holy presence. Later, the temple was built and God's glory filled the temple. The tabernacle is no more. Solomon's temple is no more and Haggai promises that the rebuilt temple will know a greater glory than Solomon's temple. To Herod's expanded temple, a greater glory entered. Glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And that temple is no more. But Jesus came to build a permanent temple and fill it with God's glory. He is building His church into a holy temple, a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. In His church today, there is a glory greater than just a visible cloud burning brightly. There is a communion of souls who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit with Christ as the head. This is the glory of the church: lives that shine with the reflected glory of Christ's image. God has caused to shine in us the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Christ Jesus our Lord. To the extent that Christ dwells in His church she is a glorious church. Not buildings, not institutions, not organizations, but the gathered people of God exhibiting His grace, this is today's glorious church. |
