November 10: GLORY!
The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. Revelation 15:8
There are similar instances in Scripture that we can review. When Moses had completed the assignment of setting up the earthly tabernacle and the court around it, including the screen of the court gate, Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting because the cloud rested above it and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34-35) Earlier, Moses had asked to be shown God’s glory (33:18). In answering the request, He said, “So shall it be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by…” (v.22) It is an understatement to say that the sight of God’s unveiled glory is overwhelming to sinful humans. It would be more accurate to say that it is deadly. Yet He is preparing us even now to witness that glory for ourselves and live – forever! The most elaborate fourth of July fireworks display is like a tiny birthday candle in comparison to the sheer scale, beauty, and brightness of the glory of Almighty God.
What Moses and the Israelites saw was an earthly microcosm of God’s glory. Isaiah was given a vision of heaven! I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple . . . And one [of the seraphim] cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:1,3,4) Even in its fallen state, there is much beauty on earth that reflects God’s glory. But we have only a faint idea of the Eden-like beauty that it had — and will have again!
Our opening verse is a time stamp. John is being shown the powerful moment when the seven angels with the golden bowls containing the seven last plagues are about to be sent out, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. How is it that no one was able to enter the temple? We have been repeatedly taught of Christ’s ministry on our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary. He has been our Mediator, our Advocate, and our Judge! * But once all end-time preparations are complete, He will stand up (Daniel 12:1) and exit the heavenly temple to appear as our Savior! (Hebrews 9:28) After this, there will be a homecoming victory parade that culminates in the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
The sealed of God who are still alive on the earth when Jesus returns will have been fully restored into God’s image. They will no longer need an Intercessor, but will anticipate the glorious sight of the Redeemer who will appear in His full, unveiled glory to take His redeemed home. Those who are lost and still alive on the earth will also be without an Intercessor. Rather than allowing God to seal them, they will have settled upon the beast’s mark which is accompanied by numerous other counterfeit accoutrements of false worship.
Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, From the terror of the LORD And the glory of His majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. Isaiah 2:10-11 (see also 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 2:8; Revelation 6:16 and the rest of Isaiah 2)
*John 5:22; Romans 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:1; Revelation 8:3-4