Bible Message/Preaching : Beholding the Glory of the Lord
12Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech; 13unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Cor 3:12-18)
Where did Moses got the glory and what did he do? (Exo 34: 28-35)
When Moses received the Law as Israel wandered through the wilderness God revealed Himself to the people through what looked like a consuming Fire over the mount Sinai. But as for Moses, He spoke to him as a friend face to face (Exo 33:11) 40 days/nights. This encounter had such an effect on Moses that his face would shine with an afterglow when he returned to the people after talking with God. To dispel their fear he put a veil over his face to hide the glory of the Lord.
What are the consequences of veiling of Moses' face? ? Separation! = Also in the Tabernacle
Still today the veil remains, they are blinded and heir heart is hardened, and many has not came to Christ!
What would've happened if Moses did not have veiled his face?
The glory that he got from God would've flowed to the people too!! not blinded and people would’ve turned to Christ!
What is the goal of a Christian's life? What is it we are to become?
Paul argues that we as believers in Christ have an even closer proximity to God than Moses. For God lives within us! Thus when we meet others they ought to see the Glory of God shinning out of us. In other words they ought to see Jesus."
In Romans 8:29, we learn what is the ultimate goal of the Christian, let's read this passage: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
But how does this take place? How does one become like Christ? Take a look at these words of Paul:
The Apostle Paul was addressing the Church of Corinth in regards to removing the veils from their hearts and minds and turning to the Lord Jesus Christ. As we look deeply into this scripture we will reveal the Glory of the Lord in our own life.
"But we all"..."are being transformed into the same image" The word transformed means "to change into another form, to convert, to transfigure". This is about growth and not referring to the new man when baptized, rather the change in your Christian walk. Paul is talking to believers. Is this transformation is not a one time deal. Paul even says we "are being transformed" (present tense) right now as we read this lesson! It is a process. It can take several years; maybe it will never end. That's OK. This same word is used to describe Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration:
"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." - Matthew 17:1,2
Christians likewise are to undergo a transformation... Not physically but in the inward man, there needs to be transformation. I need to constantly grow and mature in the knowledge of Christ. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformedby the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2
This is another reason why we need to be transformed so we may know the perfect will of God. If there's no transformation we might not know or do the will of God, rather we will do our will. When change is not taking place in our lives then there's something wrong.
The Glory that the Spirit imparts to the believer is more excellent and lasts longer than that which Moses experienced. When we have transformation we will shine with the Glory of God. We don't have to go to the Mountain top or the wilderness to seek out the Glory of God. We can search and obtain the Glory of God right now even as you are reading this article.
We will be changed from one level of Glory to another level of Glory. The Christian life needs to be moving and changing constantly. Let us compare to what Solomon says in Proverbs:
"Theroad the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come." - Proverbs 4:18
When the Sun rises the earth is being restored with warmth and light necessary to grow fruit. As we are taking this journey of Faith we are like the sun. Were changing we become brighter and brighter until the day is full or until Jesus Christ has Come.
As we grow in the Lord we are getting brighter and brighter or as Paul says it we "are being transformed from Glory to Glory" and on and on.
Beholding... The Glory of the Lord. How are we beholding the glory?
What does it mean to, behold? To ponder; meditate, marvel on the Lord's glory. What is "the glory of the Lord" we are to behold? It would involve the glory He manifested while on earth: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14
From Glory to Glory
From one degree or level of glory to another. We are not to be the same Spirit filled Christian as we were the day we came to the Lord.
To increase in Wisdom, Knowledge, and many more areas of Godliness. In other words we are to receive a successful succession of Glory from God. One level of Glory to the next and to the next. Glory to Glory to Glory and on. When we look into our spiritual mirror (the word of the Lord) we will see ourselves transforming from one level of Glory to the next. We are not the same, for we are shinning with the glory of God.
The more we behold this brilliant and glorious light, the more do we reflect back its rays; that is, the more we contemplate the great truths of the Christian religion, the more do our minds become imbued with its spirit. Like a goldsmith purifying gold, until the image of the goldsmith reflects clearly in the gold!
We simply need to be living a life of transformation: and constantly, evaluate our walk with the Lord. And if we are seeing in the mirror our image is being transformed from Glory to Glory then praise the Lord, keep up the good work. If we can see signs that the Spirit is at work in our life then simply thank the Lord and allow Him to continue to transform you from Glory to Glory. If we cannot feel the Spirit moving in your life, then we need to ask ourself how much am "I abiding in Christ". There needs to be a demonstration of the Spirit in our life.
1"I am the TRUE vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. - (John 15:1-8)
Meditation:
- Am I reflecting enough of the glory of the Lord?
- What do I need to do to go to the next level?
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