I had hoped there would have been more interest in this subject than there has been thus far; Like the children of Israel before them, perhaps they draw back from the thought of the Glory of the Lord in Fire and Death. What does the scripture say? With their lips they do honor me, but their hearts are far from me? Likewise, the scriptures say many are called, but few are chosen. They were bidden to come to the wedding, but they made light of it, or had more pressing matters, such as defending the doctrines and traditions of men, or trying trying to use their faith to promote the infallibility of the Bible rather that standing aside so their Faith might glorify Christ.
A Trump blows long from the white house, and the people chase after its strange sound. The tares of the field responding to the call; vessels of destruction stepping forth to make their fruits known before all the heavens, gathered first of the angels to be burned in the fire. The Tares of the field are not interested in the Glory of the Lord, they are too busy trying to declare their own.
When people continue to debate the scriptures and the doctrines of men, then they are like prideful children still wandering to and fro in the desert searching for manna and claiming that which they have gathered is better than the manna gathered by another. They glory in the manna they have gathered rather than Glory in the Lord who provided the manna. It doesn’t matter if you are Catholic of a follower of Luther. It doesn’t matter if you trust in the doctrines of Calvin, or even those of Joseph Smith. For all the doctrines and traditions of men bring you to the same place: they are all paths that lead you to the Cross, but they can take you no further. All paths will lead a man to the cross, but where people get lost is those doctrines then find ways to keep you before the cross. Then when two neighbors meet along the way, they find themselves debating and arguing the best path to the cross and what they must do to wait there until their master comes. But Jesus isn’t on the cross, he has risen, he is in the city.
If they can not leave the cross and come in to the city, or if they are frightened at the thought the Glory of the Lord as a consuming fire and they turn back, then they shall enter in by the broad way. But straight is the way and narrow is the gate, and few they be that find it. Jesus said it was so narrow, that a rich man could not enter in. In fact it is so narrow, that to pass through, you must let go of your doctrines and traditions of men; they have led you to the cross, but they can take you no further. Does a mountain climber take with him all his wares, or does he take with him only that with is necessary?
The Lord charged Moses to make the people ready against the third day, and when the trumpet blew long, then they were to come up the mountain; But they drew away back and followed after a man instead. Paul told us we are not come to the mountain that burned with fire and tempest and darkness; but we are come to Mt Sion and the New Jerusalem.
Jesus was charged with building the temple to the Lord. He said destroy this temple, and after two days he would raise it up again. Jesus also spoke of the resurrection, saying no sign would be given, but that of Jonah the prophet. In Hosea it is written after two days he would revive us, on the third day he would raise us up, then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord in the resurrection. If you follow on to seek the Glory of the Lord and not turn aside, then you might come to the wedding feast, for it was on the third day that Jesus turned the water into new wine.
I began the OP looking to show the Glory of the Lord in light of Matthew 16:27 where it is written the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of His Father. What is the Glory of the Father? We have looked at the Glory of the Lord as a mountain burning with fire, with the thick cloud of a furnace, and with a Voice of Words heard from the midst of the fire accompanied by thunders and lightenings. Well, before we go any further in this study, let me take a moment to share with you the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:1-3
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1:12-16
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
If you wish to look upon Christ, you will have to look into the flame.
