In Ezekiel 43, the divine messenger takes Ezekiel to
the east gate where he sees the glory of God coming down to re-inhabit the
Temple. Many years before, Ezekiel saw the glory of God departed from the
temple, and it left through the east gate (Ezekiel 11:23). Today, Ezekiel sees
the glory of the God of Israel coming from the way of the east and fills this
new temple. What does the glory of God look like? Ezekiel said “his voice
was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory” (vs
2). It sounded like the awesome and inspiring sound of a great waterfall (the
noise of many waters and its glory was immensely bright and
beautiful.
When Moses dedicated the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34) and
Solomon the temple (2 Chronicles 5:11–14), the glory of God filled the house,
signifying that He had accepted their worship and approved of their work. That
glory was no more when Israel sinned and went after other gods. But today, in
the renewed temple, God’s glory returns because the Jews who return would never
go back to their past ways of idolatries on the high places. God says “the
house of Israel shall no more defile my holy name, neither they, nor their
kings, by their whoring and by the dead bodies of their kings at their high
places” (vs 7). They will be of one heart serving Yahweh (Ezekiel
11:19-20).
Ezekiel’s temple was nothing more than a building.
With the glory of God, it was a sacred place, a habitation for God and the
radiance of His presence. God’s glory returned because the Jews would no longer
return to idolatry but stick to God with one heart.
We see there is a condition for God’s glory to fill
His house. In Matthew 21:12-13, our Lord in purifying His temple is showing us
that nothing that was worldly or unholy should have any place among His
followers, the church He died for. This is because in the last day, He wants to
“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).
A glorious church is a church filled with honour,
splendour, and beauty. Paul says it is without any spot or blemish but is holy
and without defects. Such is the kind of church God’s glory will reside.
Just as God’s glory is made known through His
creation: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his
handywork” (Psalm 19:1), God expects the world to see Hs glory through the
good lives of His disciples: “Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”
(Matthew 5:16).
The scripture says Christ is the effulgence God’s
glory because the attributes of God are all seen in Him (Hebrews 1:3). That’s
why He could boldly say: “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father”
(John 14:9). Could any person say these same words? Can others see Jesus through
us? Does God’s glory shine through us?
We see that God’s glory will shine in the Christians
who are manifesting His glory. Our Lord says: “By this shall all men know
that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
That is, our love for each other shall be so decisive evidence that we are like
the Saviour that all people shall see and know it.
The church is the place God’s glory will reside. Let
us be the kind of Christians the world can see God’s glory.
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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