The UPLOOK  (June-July 2006)- edited 6/2009  pt. 1

      [ The glorification of Jesus Christ, as it relates to the two witnesses of Rev. 11:8 ]

Lord Jesus:
	in me.

 

Jesus answered them saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified..

. . .

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

John 12:23, 20:21

 

An oft understated truth within Christian circles is the subject of glorification. All who are born again initiate this process in measure, at conversion, as we repent. That is, we confess to God that we have “missed it” (that’s what sin is, literally “missing the mark”)—and have been moral failures.

Glorification: to give all, in a supreme act of obedience to God.		How serious may such an admission become? What are its consequences? Being created in the image of God, a true repentance produces a personal death. Yes, death. For, just as God cannot tolerate sin so too, the man who truly sees his sin within, will feel totally undone and inadequate. In a word: a failure. Our self esteem is completely shattered. It is for this reason that an understanding of original and personal sin is only tolerated within the Judaeo-Christian tradition. Old Testament sacrifice brought about a temporary relief, through animal sacrifice for atonement. Then, finally, the Lamb of God appeared and offered God’s own blood on Calvary (Acts 20:28). Thus, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law. Glorification now results from sharing in Christ’s resurrection power (more on this, in a moment). Yet, when walking in the New Testament experience, the above description only marks the beginning of an adventure of love and commitment. For the Bible commands us to live in the same experience that has brought us into Life. “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord,” the apostle Paul urges, “so walk in Him” (Col. 2:6). Thus: To be glorified is to commit to the supreme act for which you were created and given life. Gunpowder is glorified when it explodes. Seeds are glorified when they die, and give life to another (plant). Missionaries who die as martyrs on the mission field—are glorified as they surrender all To give their life for others, for truly, The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. It is within this context that we are commanded to offer our lives as living sacrifices unto God (Heb. 12:1). Yet there are some who, believe it or not, would seek to gain this experience by “climbing up some other way”—by blowing themselves up, in order to force others into a kingdom of their (or a false prophet’s) making, for example. Or they may seek to sacrifice it all on a roll of the dice, through drugs: dredging the depths of their soul through chemical highs, even though it may mean their very death. No, it is not a false or selfish glory that we seek here, but the very glory of God. The God who gave us life, and is our very Life: He deserves the glory, and it is He who desires that we share in the same experience (II Pet. 1:4)! Such glorification has always been implicit within the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Is this not how Christ charged his disciples?   Continued 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |next>>