Experience The Glory Of God

The Lord wants everyone to come to Him. Therefore, the Apostle Paul told us we can each experience the glory of God. The first thing that happens is we get rid of the veil.

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16

What exactly is the veil, where did it come from, and why do we have one? We must go back to the Book of Exodus, which first mentioned it.

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In Exodus 34, we can read about when Moses spent time with God on Mount Sinai. He remained on the mountain with the Lord for forty days and forty nights.

The Lord wrote the terms of the covenant, the Ten Commandments, on the stone tablets. When Moses returned to the camp, the people noticed something different about his appearance.

When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord. Exodus 34:29

Moses didn’t realize that his experience with God caused God’s glory to illuminate from him. Paul mentioned that what Moses held in his hands, the law, began with the glory of God.

The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. 2 Corinthians 3:7

What does the Veil Mean to Us?

Now, about the veil. Because of the radiance shining from the face of Moses, the people were afraid to go near him. So they covered his face with a veil unless he spoke to them.

He would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord. Exodus 34:34-35

So they put a veil over his face to blot out the glory of the Lord. Paul, a staunch student of the law, took a new position concerning it after he met Jesus.

Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? 2 Corinthians 3:8

Then, the apostle compared the old way of the law and the new way. The way in which Christ made available to all who call upon Him.

If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. 2 Corinthians 3:9-10

No One Can Experience the Glory of God Through the Law

Anyone not under the grace of the New Testament will find themselves under the law. As glorious as the law was, those living under it are veiled and will not experience the glory of God

Paul said that Moses wore the veil to cover the glory of God. People today wear the veil of the law because of their hardened minds.

But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:14

Only Jesus can remove the veil and free us from the bondage of the law. Therefore, only by believing in Christ can anyone experience the glory of God.

And according to our verse for today, the veil is taken away whenever someone turns to the Lord. It’s like Jesus removes the blinders and breaks our shackles of bondage.

So, we’ve answered the three questions from the top about the veil. When Jesus comes into our lives, He not only removes the veil, but we also receive His Spirit.

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

When Jesus removed the veil, He also freed us from all bondage.

You Can Experience of the Glory of God

Paul ended this chapter by giving us some great news. Now, through Jesus, all people can experience the glory of God. He Made it possible to reflect it in everything we do.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18

How can we be sure that Jesus removed the veil when we accepted Him? We can know that we know because He gave us a wonderful illustration when He died on the cross.

By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain (or veil) into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts, fully trusting him. Hebrews 10:20-22

Oh God, we want to experience your glory every day. Then, as it illuminates from us, others will be drawn to you.

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