The RICHES OF GRACE
“hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11
Robert W. Reed
June 2019
Glorification
“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. Romans 8:30
+ The Glorification of the Saint +
The doctrine of Glorification is a Bible doctrine and is clearly seen throughout the pages of Holy Scripture. The believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is called unto eternal glory. This glorification ultimately takes place in Resurrection, which is the redemption of the believer's body (Romans 8:23). Every Christian will receive a glorified body that resembles our Savior’s resurrected body. Jesus Christ spoke primarily of His glorification coming through His resurrection and exaltation (John 7:39; 12:16, 23-24; 17:5,24). The Lord Jesus humbled Himself while on the earth in that He took upon human flesh (Philemon 2:6), but is now exacted to His throne of glory in Heaven (Philemon 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:1-3; Acts 2:32-36; Ephesians 1:17-23; Revelation 5:11-14).
We will be glorified with him in His glory throughout all eternity.
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” I Peter 5:10
This article will consider the doctrine of glorification in reference to its promise, purpose, and participants.
The Promise of Glorification
In Romans 8:30, the New Testament believers are seen as already sharing to some extent in this glorified state by the Holy Spirit, “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”, (Romans 8:30). But, in the resurrection, the believer will be conformed to the image of the Glorified Savior to a far greater degree than now realized according to verse 29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” In the mind of God, our glorification is accomplished, but we wait for the redemption of our body (vs. 23). The context speaks of being glorified together with Christ in verses 17-18 and speaks of the glorious liberty of the children of God in verse 21.
The text of verses 28-39, speak of God’s undefeated plan for His saints. That is, nothing can stop the ongoing process of salvation that God has begun in the believer (Philippians 1:6). We have the guarantee of eternal life in the kingdom of God. These verses reveal the eternal purpose of God. In Romans 8:28, we see the providence of God at work in the Christians life, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This verse is not a good luck charm that all of life will turn out for good but refers to the fact that God will preserve us unto His Heavenly Kingdom. Then in Romans 8:29, our eternal destiny is fixed and secure, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” We will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Also, according to Romans 8:30, our glorification is pronounced and is as secure as our calling and justification. “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.” Again, it is spoken of as past because God’s purpose cannot fail; it is a fact with God. The remaining verses in the chapter clearly show that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord (verses 31-39). Also, according to Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
The Purpose of Glorification
The purpose of glorification is to complete the process of our salvation, that is the redemption of our body (verse 23) and to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (verse 29). Our hope is to appear in glory with our Lord and Savior (verses 24-25; Colossians 1:27; 3:4; I Peter 5:11). This change began at conversion (II Corinthians 3:18) through the glorious gospel of Christ (II Corinthians 4:4). In I Corinthians 15:49-58, we have a great commentary on the bodily resurrection of every Christian. In verses 53-54, we will experience a great change, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
In Philippians 3:20-21, we are promised a glorious body in resurrection, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Also, in Colossians 3:4, we are promised to be with Him in glory, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” The Bible speaks of the Hope of Glory in Colossians 1:27. We are told in I John 2:2, that we shall be like Him when He shall appear. This blessed truth is called our blessed hope in Titus 2:13. We are to comfort one another with the words of this glorious hope we have in Jesus Christ (I Thessalonians 413-18). Let us forever praise His Holy Name.
The Participants of Glorification
The participants of this glorification are God’s elect according to Romans 8:33, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.” In verse 30, the elect are those who are called and justified, and in verse 28, they are those who love God and called according to His purpose. Only the saved will be glorified in the resurrection. The unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9-11). This is why the Lord Jesus said that we must be born again (John 3:3-8). The New Birth begins the process of glorification. According to Romans 2;6-10, some will receive glory and others judgment.
Conclusion
Because of sin, all of humanity has come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Man has marred the image He was originally created in (Genesis 1:27). That image is only restored through regeneration and glorification. The gospel is ordained unto our glory (I Corinthians 2:7), and is called the glorious gospel of Christ (II Corinthians 4:4). Believe the gospel message and put your trust in the Lord of Glory so that you will be glorified with the saints of God, Amen.
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. John 17:24
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: Colossians 1:27
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:4
For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things,
in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31
June 2019
Victory Baptist Church
Pastor Robert W. Reed
14473 Bellingrath Road
P.O. Box 257
Coden, Alabama 36523