| CHRISTIAN LIFE AND DOCTRINE | December 2003 |
Glorify God
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“That God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” |
TO GLORIFY GOD MEANS to praise, honor, and magnify him. In all this, obviously, we also give honor to his Son, our Lord Jesus. “All men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father.” (John 5:23) The Father, however, is greater than the Son, and it is to our Father that the glory preeminently belongs. And the Lord Jesus would have it be so.—I Cor. 15:27,28
DIVINE INTUITION
To foretell future events accurately is a miracle, and God has caused history to be written for us in advance. From ancient times our Father has declared in his Holy Word the things that are not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” (Isa. 46:10) This is a grand, triumphant note for us; a wonderful stimulus to our faith—all God’s purposes shall be accomplished.
We have been very richly blessed by noting how history from past ages, even to this our day, has been fulfilling Divine prophecy in a marvelous way. We can, by this means, discern where we are on the stream of time. From some of the Divine declarations yet to have fulfillment, we know that God’s holy name shall in due time be glorified in all the earth.
GLORY WORLDWIDE
When Moses wanted to see God’s glory, he was taken into the mount and placed in a cleft of the rock. He heard this proclaimed to him: “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” (Ex. 34:6)The very center of light and life will be honored and glorified by every creature, not only in heaven, but also on earth; and all the world will know God. Any who, during the Millennial Age (which precedes the ages of glory), will have proved themselves to be incorrigibly wicked, after having had a full and fair opportunity to attain life by obedience to the kingdom requirements, will be mercifully cut off. They certainly will not be subjected to everlasting torment. They will not be allowed to be a blot in God’s kingdom.
“As truly as I live, [it is written] all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” (Num. 14:21) It will be filled with his honor, perfection, excellence, and magnificence. “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Hab. 2:14) As Moses saw in the mount, the glory of God is his goodness.
NOT YET FILLING THE EARTH
God has already performed great things for his name’s sake, and his mighty power shall be made known, but it is obvious that the knowledge of his glory does not yet fill the earth as the waters cover the sea; this Divine promise will be fulfilled. Concerning some of these great things already done, we recall parts of a message God sent to Pharaoh, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. … There is none like me in all the earth. … I have raised thee up [Pharaoh], for to show in thee my power,” or more correctly speaking, “I have allowed thee to remain (Leeser Translation), for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.”—Exod. 9:13-16
WONDROUS WORKS
This was fulfilled in the wondrous deliverance at the Red Sea. “Dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name. … So didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.” (Isa. 63:12,14) The psalmist, speaking of the same incident, says, “He saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” (Ps. 106:8) The world in general, however, has not appreciated such mighty works.
It is written, “I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.” (Ps. 145:5) We see that the very pinnacle of God’s wondrous works respecting his glorious name and mighty power, relating to the past, present, and future, centers in and through his beloved Son.
A most wondrous work is seen when, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) In harmony with the Father’s will, Jesus most willingly, gladly, and lovingly, gave himself “a ransom for all.” (I Tim. 2:6) Following his cruel death upon the cross, Jesus was raised from the dead by the mighty power of God, and was highly exalted. These were wondrous works.
Later, at Pentecost, God’s precious, holy influence was shed forth upon the consecrated followers of Jesus, and from that day until now, this Holy Spirit has been wonderfully influencing each member of the true church.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Today, we are living in one of the greatest dispensational changes in the world’s history. Here are some of the signs of the times in this our day: many running “to and fro, and knowledge” rapidly increasing (Dan. 12:4); an assembling of the “nations” (Joel 3:2); “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26); “distress of nations, with perplexity” (with no way out) (vs. 25); conditions which mark the end of the “times of the Gentiles” (vs. 24); members of the true church (the wheat) being gathered; and the tares bundled together. (Matt. 13:30) Since the ‘times of the Gentiles’ ran out, the attention and hopes of Jews worldwide have centered more and more upon the new nation of Israel, in the land which God has returned to them. They are yet to receive the land in a very special sense, and with lasting rich blessings, when they turn to him and his beloved Son. Wondrous works are these.
Worldwide conditions speak to us of the Lord’s invisible presence. He is doing great works preparatory to the bestowing of rich kingdom blessings in the earth.
WORLD SHALL REMEMBER
Concerning all the mighty acts and wondrous Divine works in which God’s Word is rich, recording countless numbers of them, very little is understood and appreciated by mankind in general. However, the whole groaning Creation will, during the Millennial kingdom of Christ; hear, understand, and appreciate the whole wonderful story. The books in the Word of God are to be opened to all mankind. (Rev. 20:12) Then “all the ends of the world shall remember [the Hebrew word used here means ‘shall earnestly imprint’] and turn unto the Lord.”—Ps. 22:27
A stupendous work will then be done by the glorified Christ—Jesus the Head, and the church his body. Faithfulness now, even unto death, will lead to joint-heirship with Christ in the heavenly phase of the kingdom. And the great work to be done will include the raising of earth’s dead billions; bringing blessing and benefit to all the families of the earth; establishing God’s glorious kingdom in the earth. For all eternity “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.”—Rev. 21:4
GOD’S PURPOSES ACCOMPLISHED
The whole of the Divine purpose in Christ Jesus has fulfillment by the will of God. The zeal of Jehovah will perform it. The power of man and of Satan in the past will have become of no avail. What an incentive for us throughout our pilgrim journey to be faithful; to give diligence to make our calling and election sure, assisting others to do the same, and to honor and glorify our Father for such a sure and glorious prospect!
How enthusiastic we should be to say, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. … I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. … Thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power.”—Ps. 145:3,5,10,11
JESUS FAITHFUL
It is with holy joy that we recall how Jesus, throughout his earthly ministry, honored and glorified his Father. “I seek not mine own glory,” said Jesus. (John 8:50) He sought not his own praise and honor. This indeed is a valuable lesson for us. His prayer was, “Father, glorify thy name.” (John 12:28) Jesus spent much time in prayer, meditation, and communion with his Father, that he might receive strength to hold on steadily to such a great purpose, upon which hung such momentous issues.
He determined always to submit his will to the Father’s will, most absolutely, in full and complete consecration to God. ‘Father, glorify thy name,’ in thine own way at whatever cost to me; let thy character, wisdom, goodness, and plan of mercy be manifested and promoted.
FOOTSTEP FOLLOWERS
Jesus glorified his Father; and we, as consecrated children of God, do so also, ‘that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.’
In John 15:8 we read, “Herein is my Father glorified.” This chapter teaches that Jesus is the “true vine,” his followers are the “branches,” and that his Father is the “husbandman.” (vss. 1-5) Each fully consecrated child of God is an individual branch of the ‘true vine.’ But how is the Father glorified? It is by bearing “much fruit.” (vs. 8) To do this, we must abide in Christ, the true vine.
Jesus said, “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me [severed from me] ye can do nothing.”(vs. 5) But what does this mean, to abide in Christ? We, as fully consecrated children of God, are to have no will of our own. Our will must be the will of our Lord Jesus, who has already declared that his will is the Father’s will. The Spirit of Christ, the true vine, must permeate all branches, and the fruit of the vine must be in each individual branch, a Christlikeness being manifested.
Are we thus bearing fruit? If so, very good, but even this is no ground for complete contentment and satisfaction.
MORE FRUIT
Our Heavenly Father is the ‘husbandman,’ and “every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it [or more correctly, he cleanseth it], that it may bring forth more fruit.” (vs. 2) This cleansing is not always pleasing. It is, at times, painful. But we should welcome every kind of pruning, cleansing, disciplining, and chastening, knowing that this is the way to bear more and more fruit, and to be more Christlike, more and more zealous to know and do our Father’s will. Herein is our Father glorified.
How beautiful is the growing image of our Lord Jesus in the lives of his followers! Wherever that precious fruitage is manifested, how comely and lovely it is to all who love the Lord. Of these, Jesus can truly say, “Father, I am glorified in them.” And we do know that whoever thus glorifies the Son, is also giving honor and glory to the Father.
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
Our Master exhorts, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16) The Scriptures instruct us to speak and act that others will glorify God, that being seen and heard, God may be honored and glorified; if not at present by all, then at a later date, in the day of their visitation.—I Pet. 2:12
Jesus, the “Light of the world,” has said concerning his true disciples, “Ye are the light of the world,” and he exhorts, “Let your light so shine;” see that you give light before men.—vss. 14,16
We may be tempted to place our light under a bushel. That would not only hide the light, but would tend to put it out. The Adversary can find many ways to extinguish our light, including the love of ease, the spirit of indifference, the fear of man, believing the High Calling closed, that no more witness work is required, also the one labeled, “weary in well doing.”—Gal. 6:9
GOSPEL SHALL BE PREACHED
The words of Jesus in Matthew 24:14 are, “This gospel [good news] of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness [testimony] unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” The true Gospel is today being proclaimed worldwide as never before; and we continue to praise the Lord for the various means which he has made possible for us to share in this proclamation.
In harmony with Philippians 2:14-16, we are to “Do all things without murmurings and disputings,” that we “may be blameless and harmless [inoffensive and sincere], the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.”
GLORIOUS MAJESTY OF THE KINGDOM
Have the people whom we meet day by day received any evidence from us that God has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light? May the sentiments expressed in Psalm 145 be true in our own case: that we shall bless our Father, and speak of the glory of his kingdom, and talk of his power, to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and his dominion endureth throughout all generations.
There is a sublime purpose that we should have ever before us—“Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Cor. 10:31) This is stated very simply, yet it sets before us a very high standard. ‘Do all to the glory of God’ in the home, workshop, office, school, and factory, in our every dealing with the brethren, and with all people, and wherever we may be.
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
The world in general today seems to be madly shouting, “Glory to man in the highest.” Yet the Lord in his infinite wisdom is still graciously, patiently, and lovingly permitting the true Gospel to be proclaimed in all the world as never before, for a testimony. But for how long? We do not know. What we do know is that we are still in the world, but not of it, and that our Master’s words to us are, ‘Ye are the light of the world.’
It is of primary importance that we give diligence to make our calling and election sure, that we daily study and meditate upon the inspired Word, developing, and manifesting, Christlikeness. And while doing this, we shall not fail to let our light shine before men, holding forth the word of life to the glory of God, for this is Christlikeness in action.
We, like Jesus, will need to spend much time in prayer. And at the close of each day we do well to ask ourselves in self-examination: “To what extent have I glorified my Heavenly Father, this day?”
‘Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’