Let the Glory Show

“Smoke from God’s glory and power poured out of the Temple. No one was permitted to enter the Temple until the seven disasters of the Seven Angels were finished.” Revelation 15:8 (The Message)

I am the first to admit that the book of Revelation can be like walking through a bog with a heavy mist falling. Beasts and dragons, flying horses and bowls full of judgment whirl through its pages like an Arthurian legend. One thing is sure, though; this book is about Jesus.

Others could probably tell you where chapter 15 falls chronologically. They would put it somewhere during the Great Tribulation, perhaps even giving us a date during that period. I don’t argue with any of those interpretations, it is not my forte. But, when I attempt to find Jesus in the midst of this vision, He shines through all the mist and mystery.

When God is allowed to rule in His temple, His glory and power are palpable. Just like the smoke that poured out of that temple, God wants to make His presence known in us. A cloud filled the first tabernacle that Moses built so that he “couldn't enter the Tent of Meeting because the Cloud was upon it, and the Glory of God filled The Dwelling.” (Exodus 40:34-35). At the first temple also, “a cloud filled The Temple of God. The priests couldn't carry out their priestly duties because of the cloud—the glory of God filled The Temple of God!” (1 Kings 8:10)

Now, because God does not dwell in houses made by hands, the glory of God is expressed through His church. It is a wonder, then, that we do not bow more often, that we are so chatty, that we ignore what takes intention to ignore. Imagine someone coming upon the scene described here in Revelation and ignoring it. Drinking their latte and chatting about why schools are so much worse than they used to be.

But, just as God’s presence was visible in the vision, His glory and power filling the temple, so He is now in His church. No one could even enter the temple until God’s judgments were accomplished. We must always remember that the presence of God is both the object of our worship and the source of our protection.

Just as this vision of the future portrays the temple full of the glory of God, so today the church bears the same spark in a world that is often damp and cold to the touch. We do not “stir up” the presence of God by exuberance or dedication. His presence in the temple was simply “there”. This is true in the tabernacle story with Moses as well as the first temple when the priests cannot carry out their duties because of the cloud.

The glory of God is not apprehended by our ears and eyes. It is apprehended by a heart remade to see His glory no matter the obstacles. One thing is certain, the glory of God may be “felt”, but it, along with God’s purposes is not always understood.

No one was allowed to enter the temple until God had completed His judgment. The cloud was a protection and symbol of His glory. But, it also made “normal” work and worship very difficult. We are used to seeing God portrayed as “light”. And, that He is. We are to walk in the light as He is in the light.

But He sometimes is a cloud, a Glory, a Power we know very little about. We know He occupies the heart of His church. We know he dwells within the soul of each believer. But there are times in which the cloud of His glory obscures His purposes from our sight.

Humility must always be our calling card when it comes to the things of God. We understand only what He allows us to understand. Too many times we try to define what God is doing, then try to replicate it somewhere else. We will tug on that string over and over and over again until something finally happens. Unfortunately, the “something” is not always God.

When we face God and His glory with humility, we no longer try to figure it out. We simply bow in worship, and offer ourselves for His service. How can we go about our days, carrying the glorious fire of God in our bosoms, and act as if life is not fair?

I do not know what the future holds. Finances are tight for many. Some suffer from physical and emotional afflictions. Others are facing loss from grief. Yet, for each of us, the glory of God is just as real as that smoke that poured out of the Temple.

Oh believer, go, let the glory show! He is within the heart of each who has trusted Jesus by faith. I know your pains, the struggles, and the confusion about this portion of life. But remember, though the temple may be merely made of the dust of the earth, we are occupied by the One who sees over it all.

Oh believer, go, let the glory show!