February 12, 2004

THE RADIANCE OF GOD'S GLORY

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word" (Hebrews 1:3, NIV).

What a dazzling title of celestial splendor and glory! The citation of our wonderful Saviour as the very radiance of God's glory is another tribute to Christ's unique role in the plan of salvation.

God's glory is much more than effulgence and celestial grandeur. The glory Christ came to demonstrate is the character of God. The response to Moses' appeal, "Show me thy glory" (Exodus 33:18, was an audible self-proclamation of God's divine attributes. The Lord declared Himself to be "merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth" (Exodus 34:6, NKJV). It was this dimension of God's glory that Jesus came to demonstrate. The apostle Paul said it perfectly: "God. . . made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6, NIV).

Jesus is the outshining of all the attributes, virtues, and qualities of His heavenly Father. By beholding Christ, we shall be ultimately transformed into His heavyweight glory (see 2 Corinthians 3:10, 11). In that final transformation, the redeemed will then be able to grasp not only the glory of His character, but also to see His majesty and dazzling splendor (see Colossians 3:4). We shall then behold Him in all His glory face to face.

Ellen G. White pens this portrait: "A part of himself, the brightness of the Father's glory, came to a world. . . and in his own divine character. . . bridged the gulf and opened a channel of communication between God and man. The windows of heaven were opened, and the showers of heavenly grace. . . came to our benighted world"--EGW 1888 Materials, p. 712.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I desire to reflect Your character through Christ who has shown me Your glory. Amen.