Fall 1994

The Condescension of His Glory
Brian McGrath

There are three aspects to our salvation, as patterned in The Tabernacle of Moses. When we are born again, we step into the Outer Court of the Tabernacle. Our spirits pass from death into life and Christ dwells within us.

When we are baptized in His Holy Spirit, we enter the Holy Place. It is here that we are able to live and operate in the gifts of the Spirit. We are illuminated by light from the oil of the Holy Spirit.

There is however, a third dimension that is beyond the veil. This is the Holy of Holies. It is here that we enter the "manifest presence" of the Lord, behold His glory face to face, and walk in the light of this glory.

The glory of the Lord spoke to Moses through a bush which burned but was not consumed. This same glory rested on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle of Moses, and will settle on choice saints in our day. We have the high calling to walk in that glory, as Jesus did.

As we press beyond the veil, a death to self-will occurs. This is the realm of pure motives and perfect obedience. We shed our old carnal nature that was buried with Him in baptism, and put on our new spiritual nature that is in the likeness of His resurrection.

To enter into the Holy of Holies is to have a transformation of our being by which our very soul is exchanged for His. That is, our mind, will, and emotions are transformed as we appropriate His mind, will, and emotions. The beauty of Christ's nature shines through our redeemed human nature.

Not many attain this high calling. However, an intervention of God is shortly to occur which will bring many within the Church into this realm. Darkness will not come upon the earth until a people are prepared and are walking in the light of His manifest presence.

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory
of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the
darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness
the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and
his glory shall be seen upon thee" Isa 60:1-2.

The Lord at times may lead His people through a time of darkness, but He will not leave them in darkness. Going beyond the veil is not something that occurs because of our works or efforts. All we can do is to seek the Lord with all our hearts as He draws us to the Father. We are to praise Him in our tribulations as we die to self.
The Lord has been calling and preparing a remnant from previous visitations to enter this high calling. The qualifications for entrance are determined by God as He looks upon our hearts and judges us in righteousness.

"Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And
who may stand in His holy place? He who has
clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted
up his soul to falsehood (vain egoism), and has
not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing
from the Lord and righteousness from the God of
his salvation. This is the generation of those
who seek Him" Psalm 24:3-6.

So then, what must we do to qualify? We are to seek Him with all our hearts. The Lord desires a wholehearted love from us. We are to ask Him to do what is necessary to purify our hearts. We must embrace the cross and the sufferings it brings.

We should yearn to walk in His righteousness. We are to seek first His Kingdom and ask the Lord to take dominion of our lives and bring every area under His Lordship.

Then, we must wait upon the Lord. The virtue of patience is a must in a walk beyond the veil. It is those who learn patience in tribulation who will be able to live and function in this heavenly realm. Those who have been waiting patiently for the Lord have been waiting for a condescension of His glory.

We are approaching the day of the second coming of The Lord Jesus Christ. He came first as a suffering Savior to die on the cross for our sins; but He is coming back as a glorious King who will have dominion over all things. However, He is returning first through a glorious people.

The word "coming" in Scripture is derived from the Greek word, "parousia" which can be translated "presence." In the millennium His presence and glory will fill the whole earth. As that day approaches, the glory and presence of Jesus Christ will precede His person.

This glory will be manifested in His Church as a light to the nations in these last days. According to Hebrews, "He (Christ) is the radiance of His (The Father's) glory and the exact representation of His nature" Heb 1:3a. The very essence of Jesus Christ is the essence of God the Father's glory.

In other words, Jesus is present in His glory. As His glory is made manifest, so is He. When the glory arrives, so also does the presence of Jesus Christ. The life of Jesus Christ will be fully manifested in His Church before He literally returns.

The prophet Malachi writes, "But unto you that fear My Name (Jesus) shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings" Mal 4:2a. Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness. There is a people who will walk in the glory of the millennium before others. They will manifest the nature of the Father and demonstrate the Kingdom of God in word and in power.

This day is dawning and daybreak is upon us. As the glory falls on chosen saints, the morning star (II Peter 1:19), which is Christ in us, will arise in our hearts, rending the veil that conceals our heavenly Father.

The day of the Lord is approaching in God's timetable. As His glory comes to abide with His people, the day of the Lord begins. Let us be prepared for this awesome time.

Do you desire this "something more" in God? Be patient and wait upon the Lord. He will answer in His time.