Meaning of GLORY

(a) The first sense is that of ornament:
Solomon, in all his glory, is clothed in royal robes (Mt. 6:29),

the hair is the glory of the woman (1 Cor. 11:15),
strength is the glory of the young (Prov. 20:29),

The parents are the glory of the children (Prov. 17:6).
The glory of Lebanon is also mentioned (Isa. 35:2) and
the glory of the nations (Rev. 21:26)

(b) The glory of God is the radiance that emanates from his person, the blinding aura of all his perfections. This glory, comparable to a devouring fire (Ex. 24:17), annihilates, afflicts and inspires fear, respect and adoration; man cannot see the real glory of God and still live (Ex. 33:18, 20, 22). Thus, all those who have had an encounter with the Lord receive something from her:

Israel and Moses before the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34, 35).
Solomon at the dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 8:11).
Isaiah at the time of his calling (Is. 6:3),
Ezekiel in the vision of him (Ez. 1:28), the shepherds of Bethlehem (Lk. 2: 9),
Stephen before death (Acts 7:55), etc.

Divine glory is revealed in creation (Ps. 19:2), and particularly in man made in the image of God (1 Cor. 11:7); it is manifested in the midst of judgments (Num. 16:42-46, etc.), it is shown in the midst of the nations (Ps. 97:6); Above all, it appears in the redemption offered to the entire world (Is. 40:5).

(c) The glory manifested in Jesus Christ. The inaccessible glory of the God of Israel has come closer to us: in Christ we have been able to contemplate and love it without being consumed by it (John 1:14; 17:5, 24; Heb. 1:3).

Jesus has shown this glory:
by his miracles (John 2:11; 11:4),
because of his perfect holiness (John 17:4),
in his transfiguration (2 Pet. 1:17),
in his resurrection (Rom. 6:4),
at his ascension (Lk. 24:26; Jn. 17:5; Heb. 2:9).

And the Lord of glory is soon to return (1 Cor. 2:8; Jas. 2:1), in all the splendor of his majesty, to judge and reign (Mt. 16:27; 25:31) .

In principle, He has already given us the glory of Him (John 17:22); Beholding it as through a mirror, we are transformed into his glorious image in glory by the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).

The time is near when we will receive eternal glory (2 Tim. 2:10), when we will appear with Christ in glory (Col. 3:4), our own body having its part in this glorification (1 Cor. 15:43 ).

Then, and forever, we will be illuminated by the glory of God, the only light of the holy city (Rev. 21:23). He is truly the king of glory, and everything in his palace proclaims: Glory! (Ps. 24:9-10; 29:9).

(d) To give glory to God is to praise him, honor him, exalt him, and celebrate his perfections (Deut. 32:3; Ps. 29:1-2; 115:1; Luke 17:18; Rom. 14:11 ). From here comes the term "doxology" (from the Greek "doxa", renamed, honor), which is a prayer formula in which glory is given to God (cp. Ps. 41:14; 72:18-19; Mt. 6:13 b; Rom. 11:36; 16:25-27; Jude 24-25; Rev. 1:5-6, etc.).

To glorify God is also to pay homage to him, to recognize him as the only sovereign, and the source of all good (Dn. 4:34; 5:23; Luke 5:25; 17:15).
Jesus, by his holy life and perfect obedience, glorified God on earth (John 17:4).

Peter was to glorify God by suffering martyrdom (John 21:19).
The believer glories in God and in Christ the Savior (Rom. 5:11; 15:17).
He who glorifies himself commits the grave sin of robbing God of the honor due him (Ps. 49:7; 52:3; 75:5); the Lord gives his salvation freely to the humble, “so that no one may boast in his presence” (1 Cor. 1:29; Eph. 2:9).

He will at last be glorified by his judgments, for they will restore his authority and his kingdom, all of which were rejected by the wicked (Lev. 10:3; cp. Is. 5:16).