Show Me Your Glory 

There are many facets to God’s glory, and for years I have studied various revivals throughout history, always being amazed by the ways in which His glory was manifested. Many people have prophesied that there will be a third great awakening and another outpouring of His glory that wouldn’t be confined to one place but would manifest in various locations around the world.  
  
When God’s glory appears, it often results in a powerful and transformative experience for those who witness it. In the Bible, there are many accounts of God’s glory being manifested, and in each case, it was accompanied by awe, reverence, and sometimes fear.  
 
For example, when Moses encountered God’s glory in the burning bush, he was told to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). When the Israelites saw the pillar of cloud and fire that led them in the wilderness, they knew that God was with them (Exodus 13:21-22). And when the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle and temple, the priests were unable to stand or minister because of its overwhelming presence (Exodus 40:34-38, 1 Kings 8:10-11).  
 
In addition to these biblical accounts, there have been many instances of His glory being revealed.  According to the Bible, the prophet Elijah saw the glory of God. In 1 Kings 19:9-18, Elijah fled to Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai) to escape the threats of Queen Jezebel. While there, he spent the night in a cave, and the word of the Lord came to him, asking him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied that he had been very zealous for the Lord but that the Israelites had forsaken the Lord’s covenant and killed the Lord’s prophets. 

The Lord then instructed Elijah to stand on the mountain, and the Lord passed by. There was a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire, but the Lord was not in any of those. Then there came a still small voice, and when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. The Lord then spoke to Elijah and revealed his presence to him.  

So, while Elijah did not see the Lord in a literal sense, he did experience the glory and presence of God in a powerful way on Mount Horeb. 

There are several individuals in the Bible who seen God’s glory or experienced his presence in a powerful way. Here are a few examples: 

1. Moses – In Exodus 33:18-23, Moses asked God to show him his glory, and God responded by revealing Himself to Moses and proclaiming his name. 
2. Isaiah – In Isaiah 6:1-5, Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord seated on a throne, surrounded by seraphim who proclaimed his holiness. 
3. Ezekiel – In Ezekiel 1:1-28, Ezekiel saw a vision of God’s throne and the living creatures that surrounded it. 
4. Stephen – In Acts 7:55-56, Stephen saw a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 
5. John – In Revelation 1:12-18, John saw a vision of the risen Christ, who appeared to him with blazing eyes and a voice like thunder.

The prophet Ezekiel encountered God’s glory in a powerful way. In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet describes a vision he had of God’s throne and the living creatures that surrounded it. In Ezekiel 1:26-28, he writes: 

“Above the vault over their heads [the living creatures] was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and a brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. 

This vision of God’s glory was overwhelming and awe-inspiring for Ezekiel, and it inspired him to prophesy to the people of Israel. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, the prophet describes many other visions and encounters with God, all of which reveal God’s power and majesty.  
 
Throughout the Bible, God’s glory is described in various ways, often with images of light, radiance, and brilliance that convey the overwhelming majesty and power of God. 

Here are a few examples of how God’s glory appears in the Bible:  

1. In Exodus 24:16-17, when Moses went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of the Ten Commandments, the glory of the Lord appeared as a consuming fire on the top of the mountain.
2. In Exodus 33:18-23, Moses asked God to show him his glory, and God responded by revealing himself to Moses and proclaiming his name. 
3. In Isaiah 6:1-5, Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord seated on a throne, surrounded by seraphim who proclaimed his holiness. The vision was accompanied by smoke and the shaking of the temple.
4. In Ezekiel 1:26-28, Ezekiel saw a vision of God’s throne and the living creatures that surrounded it. The vision was accompanied by brilliant light and the appearance of a rainbow.
5. In Revelation 21:23, John describes the New Jerusalem, where the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is its lamp.

God’s Presence Appears as Smoke 

So, while God’s glory is often described in terms of light and brightness, there are also instances where it is associated with smoke and cloud, as a visible symbol of his presence. 

Here are a few examples: 

1. In Exodus 19:18, when God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, the mountain was covered in smoke, and the smoke billowed up like that of a furnace.
2. In Exodus 40:34-35, when Moses finished constructing the tabernacle, the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The cloud and smoke became a visible symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites.
3. In Isaiah 4:5, the prophet speaks of the day when the Lord’s glory will be a canopy over his people, providing shade from the heat of the day and shelter from the storm and rain. 
4. In Revelation 15:8, John describes a vision of the heavenly temple, where the smoke from the glory of God filled the temple, and no one could enter until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. 

God’s Presence Appears as Fire

God’s presence is sometimes associated with fire, as a symbol of his power, holiness, and judgment.  

Here are a few examples: 

1. In Exodus 3:2-4, when God appeared to Moses in a burning bush, the bush was on fire but was not consumed. This was a sign of God’s presence and power.
2. In Exodus 13:21-22, when the Israelites were led out of Egypt, the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of fire at night to give them light and guide them on their way.
3. In Leviticus 9:23-24, when Aaron and his sons were consecrated as priests, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people as fire coming out from the presence of the Lord and consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. 
4. In 1 Kings 18:38-39, when the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel, the Lord answered Elijah’s prayer by sending fire down from heaven to consume the burnt offering and the wood, the stones, and the soil, and to lick up the water in the trench. 
5. In Hebrews 12:29, the writer speaks of our God as a consuming fire, emphasizing the holiness and power of God.

God’s Presence Appears as Thunder and Lightning

God’s glory is sometimes associated with thunder and lightning, emphasizing the power and majesty of God’s presence.  

Here are a few examples: 

1. In Exodus 19:16-19, when God descended on Mount Sinai to give the Ten Commandments to Moses, the mountain was covered with smoke, and there was thunder and lightning, and a loud trumpet blast. The people trembled with fear at the sight of God’s glory.
2. In Job 37:4-5, Elihu speaks of the thundering voice of God, saying, “After it comes a roar; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.” 
3. In Psalm 18:7-15, David describes the Lord’s appearance as he came to rescue him from his enemies. The Lord descended with dark clouds, and there was thunder and lightning, and the earth shook at his presence.
4. In Ezekiel 1:13-14, Ezekiel describes the living creatures that he saw in his vision of God’s throne. The creatures had flashing lightning and fire, and they moved like bolts of lightning. 
5. In Revelation 4:5, John describes the throne room of heaven, saying, “From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.”  

One of the Hebrew words for “Glory” is “Kavod” (כָּבוֹד), which is derived from a root word that means “to be heavy” or “weighty.” In the Old Testament, the word “Kavod” is used to describe the greatness, honor, and majesty of God. Here are a few ways in which the Hebrew term for God’s glory is defined in the Bible:

1. Honor and Splendor – The word “Kavod” is often used to describe the honor and splendor that belong to God. For example, in Psalm 29:1-2, David writes, “Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”  
2. Weightiness and Importance – The word “Kavod” also conveys the idea of weightiness and importance. In Exodus 15:6, Moses sings, “Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power. Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty, you overthrow your foes.”
3. Significance and Value – The word “Kavod” can also be used to describe something that is significant or valuable. In Proverbs 22:4, it says, “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” 
4. Visible manifestation of God’s presence – In some instances, the word “Kavod” is used to refer to a visible manifestation of God’s presence. For example, in Exodus 16:10, it says, “While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.”

These are just a few examples of how the Hebrew term for God’s glory is defined in the Bible. During my research, I discovered more detailed information about the word “glory.” Feel free to explore it further during your Bible study. 

Many of us are eagerly awaiting, filled with great anticipation and expectation, to experience an outpouring of His manifested glory! I fervently pray for the quick and speedy manifestation of this petition in Y’shua’s mighty name!

In the photo above, you will see an image captured by my husband many years ago. We have often pondered its nature and wondered if it depicted a glory cloud. Interestingly, in many instances, people have experienced falling or being unable to stand in His presence, which didn’t happen to us. Another intriguing aspect is that it occurred directly above and around the picture of a dream I had of Jesus hanging on the wall. To this day, we remain uncertain and unable to decipher the true essence of what we captured that day with our phone camera. Perhaps, in the future, the Lord will graciously unveil its meaning to us. However, if not, we are at peace with that as well.