Ezekiel 10:4

Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord.

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The Glory Of God Defined

The phrase "the glory of God" is used several ways in the Bible.
(1) Sometimes it describes God's splendor (i.e., brilliant appearance), magnificence and majesty (1Chronicle 29:11; Habakkuk 3:3-5). But no human language can fully describe God's highest glory, which is so supernaturally supreme that no human can experience it firsthand, i.e., see God face to face, and survive (Exodus 33:18-23)We can only bear to see an "appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord". The glory of God reveals to us the fullness of His uniqueness and His holiness (i.e., purity, perfection, completeness and separation from evil, Isaiah 6:1-3) and His transcendence (i.e., the fact that He is different from, independent of and in every way greater than anything He has created, Roman 11:36; Hebrew 13:21). Peter uses the term "the Majestic Glory" as a name for God.

He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” - 2Peter 1:17.

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(2) The glory of God can also refers to God's visible presence among His people. This is sometimes called the "shekinah" glory. Shekinah is a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling of God", and it is used to describe a visible appearance of God's presence and glory. Moses and the Israelites saw a form of God's shekinah glory in the pillars of cloud and fire that guided them day and night (Exodus 13:21). In Exodus 29:43, God refers to His presence at the tabernacle (the portable "tent of meeting" and place of worship) as "My Glory" (Isaiah 60:2). The shekinah covered Mount Sinai when God gave His law to Moses; it filled the tabernacle when it was completed (Exodus 40:34); it guided Israel in the desert (Exodus 40:36-38); and it later filled Solomon's Temple during the dedication ceremony (1Chronicle 7:1; 1King 8:11-13). More specifically, God allowed His presence to dwell between the cherubim (the figures of angel on the ark of covenant) in the temple's most holy place (1Samuel 4:4; 2Samuel 6:2; Psalm 80:1). Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord rise and leave the temple because of widespread idolatry (Ezekiel 10:4; 18:19). The new testament equal to shekinah glory is the presence of Jesus Christ-the glory of God in human flesh-who came to live among us (John 1:14)> The shepherds of Bethlehem saw the glory of the Lord at Jesus' birth, the disciples saw it at Christ's transfiguration; and Stephen saw it as he was being killed for his faith in Christ.

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. - Act 7:55

(3) The glory of God is also expressed in the Bible as His holy presence and power, as well as the effects of that presence and power in the world and in individual lives. Even though the heavens "declare" the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) and the whole earth is full of His glory (Isaiah 6:3), the fullness of His greatness and majesty is yet to be revealed. For this reason, people often fail to recognize God's greatness, and, as a result, they often take His presence for granted. However, Christ's followers experience God's glory and presence in many ways, including His nearness, guidance, love, strength, wisdom, answers to prayer and the spiritual gifts (i.e., God-given abilities) and supernatural acts of His Holy Spirit.

(4) Finally, the old testament warns that any kind of idolatry pushes God's glory back or to the side as though He were not present. Idolatry dishonors His name. Whenever God reveals Himself as our Redeemer, His name is glorified. Christ's entire ministry on earth brought glory and honor to God (John 14:13; 17:1, 4-5).

Thanks for reading.
God Bless You
Shalom.

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