…he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case… “Go through the city…and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan….” Ezekiel 9:3-4
The insurrection against despised Caligula conferred the title of Emperor on his uncle. Claudius rose from shameful obscurity to stunning fame as the conqueror who restored Rome to its former glory days. In marked contrast, it was Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection that catapulted both Peter and Paul into the glory days of the Book of Acts. Tradition holds that both were martyred in Rome during Nero’s reign. St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Cathedral testify to their prominence that came at great cost.
As for the glory days of our nation, the recent elections threw its citizens a hard bone of contention many are still chewing on. A story that made the rounds years ago, told of a church group studying Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The idea was to discern God’s hand in it. One earnest believer quickly mentioned 1 Peter 4:17, stressing that God’s judgment must begin with His own Household. Only then will the axe be laid at the root of rebel heathen nations. This clearly went over the head of a partisan firebrand who blurted out defiantly, “I still blame the Democrats.” The blame-game of contentious politics does relax its grip when we learn to view transient human history through eternity’s lens of His Story.
The astounding visions of GOD’S GLORY in Ezekiel make for a helpful perspective. It is about to depart from the temple where His priests openly worship idols So, the scribe in priestly garb must walk into the city and put a distinctive mark on the forehead of those who abhor such culture-friendly syncretism Taw, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, would look like a cross to us. Ominously, six executioners escort the man with the inkhorn tucked into his belt. The New Testament states bluntly that “the wages of sin is death.” On Calvary Jesus paid the price of God’s poured-out wrath once and for all, and we, the eternally redeemed, are equipped for our pilgrimage to Zion with the “grace and glory” promised in Psalm 84:11. In Greek the word glory is doxa and means splendor and radiance, as evidenced in the beauty and holiness of God’s character. It also implies heaviness, as seen in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” The Hebrew word kavod likewise evokes images of heavy armament for the Lord’s battles that affect us. See Jeremiah 20:11, “But the Lord is with me like a dread champion. Therefore my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will be utterly ashamed, because they have failed.”
We began this little discourse with the disabilities that shamed and were overcome by Claudius, Rome’s 4th Emperor. As for America’s 47th President, the 15 minutes of fame cannot compete with the lasting “royal priesthood and holy nation” of Christ’s Church. For the ultimate grasp on “glory” and “glorification” – past, present, and future – we had best dive into Christ’s highpriestly prayer in John 17. It is a marvel for His elect saints!
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