The Bible teaches:
That we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. 1 Corinthians 5:10
At that moment we will experience the full glory of God.
Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub to the threshold of the temple, and the temple was filled with the cloud, and the courtyard was filled with the brightness of the glory of the Lord. Ezekiel 10:4
In scripture, glory and the presence of God are synonymous. When we appear before God with His glory manifested, it will be either terrible or wonderful.
Your choice!
Terrible for you?
Then the kings of the earth and the eminent people, and the commanders and the wealthy and the strong, and every slave and free person hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the sight of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. Revelation 6:15-16
Wonderful for you?
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
Glory has inherent awe and fear – reward and judgment.
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. 1 Corinthians 3:12-13
Glory is difficult to define. One author says it is like “looking at a diamond in the noonday sun as it is both dazzling and puzzling.”
The word “glory” is used about 200 times in the Old Testament and about 150 times in the New Testament. The Apostle John, writing last of all writers in the Bible, uses the word 50 times in his Gospel.
John was getting close to “glory”; it was on his mind.
Glory has light revealing instantly all your sins, righteousness, hidden agendas, forgiving thoughts, ugly motives, and loving encouragements.
Glory has weight. You cannot resist it. God’s glory will unearth secrets, tear apart ambition, build up godliness.
Those who encounter God’s glory:
The cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. 1 Kings 8:10-11
You will see God’s glory. This glory will reveal everything about you – for all to see – nothing can be hidden. All your actions, all your thoughts, all your motives, and all your prayers!
The prophet Joel calls this moment, “The great and terrible Day of the Lord.” (Joel 2:31)
Glory allows us the freedom to make our decisions. It also protects eternity from the bad decisions that afflict earth. Paul writes, “We are sinful and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
Between you and heaven stands the glory of God. You cannot pass without faith in Jesus.
Your decision.