2 Corinthians 3:18; Beholding the Glory of God

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

When God brought Israel out of Egypt, He instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle. It was to be the visible physical presence of God with His people. In the Holy of Holies, was the ark of the covenant. It was to be the throne of God where He would meet with His people. When Israel entered the Promised Land, they would be instructed through Solomon to build the Temple of God. The nation of Israel is God’s chosen people and this nation is to point the nations of the world to the reality of salvation is her Christ. In the fullness of time, the Saviour named Jesus, Who is the Christ entered human history through a virgin birth in the womb of Mary, the humble handmaid of Nazareth. Jesus is the fulfilment of the Tabernacle and the Temple reality of God’s presence. Jesus will be the sacrifice for sins upon the cross so that sinful man may draw nigh to a Thrice Holy God.

The church in Corinth came into existence because souls were saved through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ as the gospel was preached. The miracle of the new birth was a reality in the lives of the Christians in Corinth. Whereas before, they were in bondage to sin, now, they have been freed from the bondage of sin through Christ. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord indwelling the believer helps him to understand God’s Word, the Bible, to comprehend the glory of God. He is able to come before the very presence of God through Christ in believing prayer, beholding the glory of God by the Spirit of the Lord.

The mercy seat is no longer available only once a year. In Christ, we no longer need an earthly high priest to intercede on our behalf. No longer must a sacrifice be slain for us. The veil is torn away. God bids us come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in any time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast ourprofession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yetwithout sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

May we accept this invitation and appropriate this privilege. Amen.