The concept of the Glory of God dwelling in the midst of man has almost been lost in Christian thought. This is due to the influence of "Gnosticism" during the period when Christian doctrine was being formed (2nd through 4th centuries AD). In gnostic thought, the physical universe was seen as evil while the spiritual realm was seen as good. Gnostics denied that Jesus was born in the flesh. John challenged this teaching in his first epistle (I John 4:1-3). Even though traditional Christianity overcame the gnostic challenge, many gnostic concepts were incorporated into Christian thought. The result of this influence was that the Christian vision focused on "going to heaven" rather than focusing on God’s Glory dwelling in the earth. The beautiful vision of God’s indwelling presence in the midst of man has largely been lost.
We first see something of God’s Glory in the account of God’s interaction with Abraham. In the process of cutting a covenant with Abraham, animals were cut in two and the presence of God passed between the animal parts. God’s Glory is described as a "smoking oven and a flaming torch" (Genesis 15.17). Later, God’s Glory appeared to Moses in the "burning bush" (Exodus 3.2). As Israel departed Egypt, God’s Glory led them in the form of a "pillar of cloud" by day and a "pillar of fire" by night (Exodus 13.21-22).
An even more awesome manifestation of the "Glory of God" appeared to Israel at Mt. Sinai. Moses gave this account:
"So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled" (Exodus 19.16)."Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently" (Exodus 19.18).
After the covenant between God and Israel had been completed, God revealed for the first time that He wanted to dwell in the midst of Israel. He commanded Israel to build a "holy house" for Him.
"And let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25.8).
Later, He revealed that He had brought Israel out of Egypt just for this purpose (Exodus 29.46). Finally, when the tabernacle had been completed, God’s Glory filled it (Exodus 40.34) and God dwelled in the midst of Israel.
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Eventually, God revealed the permanent place that He had chosen for His dwelling place. This was Mount Moriah. David constructed an altar on this site and, later, Solomon built the First Temple here. When the Temple was being dedicated, God’s Glory filled it as He had the tabernacle in the wilderness (II Chronicles 7.1-3). God’s Glory dwelled in the midst of Israel throughout the First Temple era.
Israel repeatedly fell into sin throughout the First Temple era. As a result of their sin, they were judged by God. The ultimate judgment was their expulsion from the land. Just before this judgment was executed, Ezekiel saw a vision of God’s Glory departing the Temple and Jerusalem (Ezekiel 10.4;10.18-19; and 11.22-23). Shortly afterward, the Temple was destroyed, the people were taken into exile and the first Temple era came to an end. These events occurred about 2,600 years ago. Ezekiel did prophesy that at some future date, God’s Glory would return to Jerusalem just as it had departed (Ezekiel 43.1-4). Beyond this, little more is revealed in the Bible concerning God's Glory with the exception of a few accounts of heavenly visions of God's Throne.
We may properly ask why little more is mentioned of the Glory of God after the end of the First Temple era. The answer becomes obvious when we consider the fact that God only desires to dwell in a properly prepared dwelling place, and such a dwelling place can only be established in the midst of Israel. Israel has remained dispersed in the midst of the nations since 586 BC, therefore, building a proper sanctuary or "holy house" is impossible until the ingathering is complete. We believe that the prophesied ingathering has been occurring throughout the 20th century and continues at this time. God alone will decide when it is complete. When the ingathering and the building of the "holy house" is complete, then God’s Glory will surely fill it as He did in the tabernacle and the First Temple.
Messiah Jesus spoke directly about this event. Due to the gnostic-oriented mind set of most Christians, Jesus' words are not often associated with the concept of God’s Glory dwelling in the midst of man. Yet, Jesus declared,
"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels" (Matthew 16.27a).
He also prophesied concerning His return:
"But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory" (Matthew 24.29-30).
Indeed, Jesus and God’s Glory will return at the same time. We begin to understand that one important role of Messiah is to prepare the setting for God’s Glory to return to Israel. Indeed, this becomes the sign by which He is recognized.
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Today, we believe that the ingathering is nearing completion. There is a growing, satanic-inspired, international response to that ingathering. For the most part, Christianity has joined itself to this international chorus. The Israeli sees himself standing alone against impossible odds. Who will encourage him to believe in the God of his fathers? Who but real, Spirit-filled believers are in the position to encourage him in faith? This is the awesome situation in which we find ourselves today. It is a day of unparalleled opportunity. It is like the time when Israel approached Mt. Sinai and the first trumpet was heard. We are about to hear the last trumpet. Are you faithfully engaged in His purpose?