The Effects of Seeing The Glory of God!

World Challenge Pulpit Series ^ | June 21, 1999 | David Wilkerson

[metmom]

Scripture makes clear that it's possible for every true follower of Jesus to see and understand the glory of God. Indeed, our Lord reveals his glory to all who ask and seek for it diligently. Moreover, I believe the revelation of God's glory will equip his people for the perilous days ahead. Paul states that this revelation "...is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).

Contrary to some Christians' thinking, the glory of God is not a physical manifestation of some kind. It's not an ecstatic feeling that overcomes you. Nor is it a kind of supernatural aura or angelic light that bursts forth. Simply put, God's glory is a revelation of his nature and attributes!

The Lord himself defines his glory this way in scripture. Therefore, when we pray, "Lord, show me your glory," we're actually praying, "Father, reveal to me who you are." And if the Lord does give us a revelation of his glory, it's a revelation of how he wants to be known by us.

Moses' experience with the glory of God demonstrates this truth. The Lord sent Moses to deliver Israel without giving him a full revelation of who the God of Israel was. The Lord merely told him, "Go, and say I AM sent you." But he gave no explanation of who "I AM" was.

I believe this is why Moses cried, "[Lord]...I beseech thee, shew me thy glory" (Exodus 33:18). Moses had a gnawing hunger and thirst to know who the great I AM was -- to know what his nature and character were all about.

[metmom]

A good read from David Wilkerson.

I didn’t know if the source was allowed in its entirety so excerpted it.

[goldendelicious]

To me, the Glory of God comes from the fact that Lord Jesus is actually the exact opposite of what we expect from a “god.” Put me, a sinner, in charge of the universe and things would be very Hollywood-like and stereotypical. But Lord Jesus washed Peter’s feet, and Peter got angry because God shouldn’t do that. The disciples never got it through their heads that Lord Jesus had to die until after it happened. God has to die? Nonsense. God serves us? Never. God turns everything upside down. Sure, god can come in His ultimate form and blast us with radiation, or snap His fingers and move the galaxy over, 5 feet to the left, but that’s not His Glory. His Glory lies in the fact that He loves us, and His own life means nothing to Him in comparison, and that horrifies us.

[metmom]

I know someone who is expecting to actually see people lit up like a lightbulb when they reflect God’s glory.

And I think that in some respects that thinking of it as a shining light is not so unusual.

I never thought of the glory of God before as the reflection of His character.

And that aspect of His character was certainly not part of the belief system I was raised under, and I know that’s true for many others as well.

There’s way too many churches who present the wrathful God of judgment to people.

And yes, while Go dis where sin is concerned, I guess they miss that Jesus was the exact representation of God to us and was not that way except with the religious leaders, ironically.

[Big Red Badger]

The Cross and the Switchblade.

IIRC

[imardmd1]

I remember Wilkerson from the '70s when I first got saved. Read "The Cross and the Switchblade." Took my kids to see/hear him in Buffalo about 1973. Powerful testimony. Went to a couple of Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International. Served with FGBMFI type guys in the Gideons International (12 years).

But I stopped following the "charismatic" approach when I came to realize that the instant spirituality sought by "charismatic" converts is a myth, not a reality (although I did experience some pretty clear instances of supernatural intervention like the ones pictured on "Touched by an Angel").

At some point it turns into a presumptuous subjective maze of scripturally inconsistent doctrine that never leads to spiritual maturity or full understanding of eternal security. IMHO.

Actually, the glorification of my Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son is a daily occurrence for me, as His Spirit discloses more light from His Holy Word, on the basis of applying the light already given. It showed up this morning in the breaking of bread around the Lord's supper, actually, and miraculously. Happens all the time.

And coming to grips with the fact that, in the end, it's just me and Him. And whatever He wants, forever.

Wilkerson has some good points, but some that I wouldn't rely on. Same for JMac. Like all of us, fallible.

Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 14:6 AV)

[AzNASCARfan]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3624609/posts#10

I was telling the story at link above awhile back and told this was an example of “God Spotting”... This went on for 4 to 5 years when my wife and I survived on under 10K a year after the wheels came off the bus in ‘08.

I managed to find enough work to basically cover bills to keep our mortgage paid and utilities on and put some food on the table, as we sold off all the good junk I had collected and saved over the years to fill in the gaps. Think PackRat...

FYI, Rich is easier was in response to Rich is better...

[Elsie]

good!

[daniel1212]

Doctrine was not a strong point for him, except as regards holiness. He was a pastor who loved the Lord and his flock and the lost, who lived by faith realized a second blessing (though the theology is not precise) and was sensitive to the Spirit of Christ in obeying the Word. Thus we have the wonderful story and movie The Cross and the Switchblade.

[Bellflower]

If we seek The LORD He can give us true glimpses of His glory. I have had glimpses of His glory, more in the last year than in other times. They cannot be described or communicated. One can only share them with The LORD, as they are too wonderful to give words for.