“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
Romans 8:30 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.8.30.NKJV
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
John 1:4-5 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.1.4-5.NKJV
Glorification.
What is it and why is it so impactful? We often hear about Justification and Sanctification but seem to forget about Glorification. Yet, glorification is the final leg in the chain. It’s where you are at the pinnacle with God.
You see, the moment you are justified, your journey of sanctification begins. Sanctification, in my mind, is the gradual cleansing of the heart. This is never a perfect process as we are all sinners living in a sinful world. We remain imperfect but develop a distaste for sin. We remain sinners who continue to sin. Frankly, we can relate to and understand sin. We can hate the sin but love the sinner. Yet, as John points out, God’s light can penetrate darkness (sin) but we cannot understand Him as He is light and we live in a dark place.
So, as a sinner in a sinful world, how can one truly understand and revere God’s Holiness? Yet, in Heaven, we are completely free of sin. No sin exists in Heaven. So, to understand a life with no sin on this earth is impossible. That’s why we accept our imperfections here on earth. In Heaven, imperfections do not exist; only perfection. Being glorified means you are now free of sin entirely and thus perfected.
Now, imagine living in a place with no sin whatsoever because you have been glorified. That is what holiness is. That is why, in Revelation 19, the Saints celebrate those receiving judgement and justice by being tossed in Hell forever. This is because once you have been glorified, you understand holiness and side with God. As a sinner here on earth, one cannot understand why God would allow eternal torment. As a glorified saint, one celebrates the justice being delivered by God because it’s Holy. Now, we side with God’s wrath because we have been glorified and are holy.
This leads me to think deeper about any of my loved ones who didn’t make it to heaven and have been judged by God to be tormented in hell. As an earthly sinner, I cannot understand God’s cruelty and harshness. As a glorified person entirely free of sin and holy, it is cause for celebration because I too want sin punished. I now look at the sin over the sinner as a glorified person. I side with God’s holiness because I have been glorified.
This is why, in Revelation 21, it says,
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”” Revelation 21:4-8 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.21.4-8.NKJV
Today, think about what glorification means and how your entire thought processes will change because you are free of sin. Once glorified, you will fully understand holiness and celebrate the day when those condemned are cast into Hell. It’s a hard thing to imagine as a sinner but deep reflection and prayer will lead to better understanding.
Father,
Today, I meditate on glorification because I’m trying to understand You and Your Holiness. I know that’s very hard because all I know is sin because I live in a sinful world. Please help me to better understand Holiness so I can always celebrate it even when unsaved sinners are cast into Hell. In Jesus precious name. Amen.
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
