GLORY, THE FACE OF CHRIST, AND MARRIAGE-Preterism and eschatology and Preterist soteriology; Preterism and Preterist eschatology and prophecy from a preterist perspective

GLORY, THE FACE OF CHRIST, AND MARRIAGE
ESCHATOLOGY.COM

Let us consider the effect of Christ's prayer (s). We must first ask, is Jesus God? Then if He is, were all His prayers effectual? If so, consider this prayer:

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. So Christ prayed for this glory for Himself. How extensive was this glory? I think we would all agree that it is infinite glory and Christ was praying that the glory that He had before the foundation of the world would be restored to Him since He would soon be putting off that glory and righteousness for His people. Now consider this verse: John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: So then, the glory that was restored to Christ was prayed by Christ to be given to us-the exact same glory. If this is true, our glorification is identical to His. This is why Paul said: Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. This is speaking of the fullness of the New Covenant. Earlier in the chapter Paul addresses the fact that this glorification was about to happen: Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which is about to be revealed in us. Paul also spoke of this in Colossians: Colossians 1:25-27 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; {26} Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: {27} To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Previously when we were futurists we used to interpret this passage this way: That because Christ was in us we now had a hope of glory. But Christ was not IN them yet because His Parousia (presence) had not taken place: Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Ephesians 3:16-17 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; {17} That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

So they were longing for their Husband to consummate the marital relationship and come into His bride. So far they had the Spirit as a guarantee of their inheritance: Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, {14} Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. This sealing was the espousing or betrothal unto Christ: 2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. Romans 7 also expresses this anticipated reality: Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Death for the old man meant that she was free to marry and consummate with the New Man or the Second Man from heaven. This is precisely what it means to have Christ dwell in us. For Christ to dwell in His Bride means that He becomes one with His bride. There is no closer relationship or element of marriage than becoming one with each other. This was Christ's desire: John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. He desired for her to behold His glory. That is, He desired for His bride to see Him face to face. What He desired was that His bride would know Him. This knowledge is that with which Adam knew Eve or Abraham knew Sarah or Isaac knew Rebecca. When the husband knows his wife so intimately he is face to face with her. There is no greater closeness. The wife desired to know her Husband as He knew her: 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Face to face implies the consummation of the relationship. This implies the glory of Christ that He prayed His bride would behold while gazing upon His glorious face. There is nothing more glorious. So when Christ prays: John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. This was no small prayer. This was His entire goal-that she would know Him and behold Him in the most intimate sense: John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. What is the fullness of eternal life? Knowing God. What did Christ come to do? John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Abundant life is beholding His face in marital knowledge, living together with our Husband whether we are in this physical body or not: 1 Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Understanding this will help us interpret the verse in Colossians more truthfully: Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: If Christ was not yet in them (Paul said they were still a virgin espoused to Christ), then the correct interpretation of this verse is this: They already had a HOPE of glory. Therefore the "riches of the glory" is Christ in you. Christ in us is the riches of glory. They were hoping for this glory. Paul also spoke of these riches in Ephesians and Romans: Romans 9:22-23 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: {23} And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 3:16-19 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; {17} That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, {18} May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; {19} And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Reread Colossians 1:27 in this light and hopefully you will see how refreshing it is: Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: All of this glory was a process, as the Bride was being brought closer and closer to her Husband by the spirit of the Lord. As she was being brought closer to His glory, she was being changed into His image or glory by the Spirit: 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. With open face she was already beholding His glory as in a glass or through a veil: 2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is being done away in Christ. Just as the veil must be taken out of the way in order for the bride to kiss her husband, so also the veil was being taken out of the way for the church to be kissed by Christ: Song of Songs 1:2-4 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. {3} Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. {4} Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. The church was being changed into His image or glory from the Old Covenant. That is why 2 Corinthians 3 is so imperative to our understanding of life and presence in Christ and Christ in us: John 17:20-24 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; {21} That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. {22} And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: {23} I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. {24} Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. Always compare that passage with chapter 14: John 14:1-6 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. {4} And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. {5} Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? {6} Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Then associate these passages showing this glorification with Christ or marriage with Christ with all the incredible OT passages dealing with the same promise: Isaiah 55:3-5 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. {4} Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. {5} Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, {21} Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Also: Romans 8:16-18 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: {17} And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. {18} For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. And consider this comparison: Isaiah 44:23 Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. This is a prophecy concerning the Messianic kingdom. Now at first it may not seem that this glory pertains to the church. It says God will glorify Himself IN Israel. Certainly God is glorified IN His church, but does this prove our point? John 13:31-32 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. {32} If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. So then the Father is glorified IN the Son, and the prophecy said that God would be glorified IN Israel. And to this agree the words of the apostle Paul: 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. {11} Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: {12} That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye (glorified) in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, this glory is none other than the Husband indwelling His bride, the church, the New Jerusalem: Revelation 21:9-11 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. {10} And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, {11} Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; Notice that it is the bride who has the glory of God and her light as a Stone most precious.

Consider the relationship of this light and glory and seeing His face:

Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Revelation 22:1-6 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. {2} In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. {3} And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: {4} And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. {5} And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. {6} And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. And to this agree the words of the prophets: Isaiah 60:19-21 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. {20} Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. {21} Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. "Thy people shall all be righteous…" This seems to be the fundamental theme of the glory of the New Covenant: 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. {4} And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. {5} And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Indeed, Christ kept His promise and His prayer was answered.

Finally I ask, if we have the fullness of Christ's glory now, then for what are we waiting? Are we lacking anything be it bodies, spirit, glory, heaven?

2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. IN him all the promises of God are yes and Amen. If you are not in Christ, then certainly these promises are not yours. Some "feel" that there is something lacking. The problem is that their focus is on things of earth and not the things of heaven, the present dwelling place of those who are truly in Christ, upon which we are to set our affection: Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. {2} Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. {3} For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. {4} When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Certainly Christ was faithful and they appeared with Him in glory as the marital relationship was consummated. What a blessed kingdom we have with a glorious King who owns His glorious bride: Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; {26} That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, {27} That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

I hope you were edified.

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