“Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and noticed the glory of God, and he noticed Jesus standing within the place of honor at God’s proper hand.”
— Acts 7:55 (NLT)
It’s one of the crucial highly effective moments within the e book of Acts. As Stephen, the primary Christian martyr, is dragged outdoors town and about to be stoned, heaven opens.
What does he see?
Not simply the sky or clouds—however one thing far higher. He sees the glory of God.
This phrase seems all through Scripture, however what precisely does it imply? What did Stephen see?
1. The Seen Splendor of God’s Presence
On this context, the “glory of God” refers back to the radiant manifestation of God’s presence. It’s a supernatural unveiling of heaven—God permitting Stephen a glimpse into His majesty.
Within the Outdated Testomony, the glory of God usually appeared as a cloud or consuming fireplace:
- In Exodus, it rested on Mount Sinai like a blazing fireplace.
- Within the temple, it crammed the holy place like a cloud that monks couldn’t even enter.
Now, within the New Testomony, Stephen sees it not in a temple, however in heaven—an amazing imaginative and prescient of divine mild and majesty.
2. The Weight of God’s Holiness and Price
The Hebrew phrase for glory, kavod, means weight or heaviness, usually signifying honor, substance, and worth. God’s glory is not only about what we see—it’s about what we sense: His holiness, authority, magnificence, and perfection.
To witness the glory of God is to behold His price. Stephen, in his closing earthly moments, is overwhelmed by this actuality.
3. Jesus Standing on the Proper Hand
This element is astonishing. All through Scripture, Jesus is usually described as seated on the proper hand of the Father—symbolizing authority, accomplished work, and relaxation.
However on this second, Jesus is standing.
Might or not it’s that the risen Christ is standing to welcome Stephen residence? Or maybe He stands in honor, as an advocate, affirming His servant’s religion and sacrifice? Both approach, it’s a deeply private second—a reminder that heaven watches and receives the trustworthy.
What It Means for Us
The glory of God is not only a future hope or a theological idea. It’s a current actuality. For individuals who stroll with Jesus, God’s glory might be glimpsed even within the darkest valleys.
- In struggling, we aren’t alone.
- In persecution, heaven watches.
- In demise, Christ stands to obtain us.
Stephen’s story reminds us that God’s glory is not far off—and after we stay filled with the Holy Spirit, we might catch glimpses of it even now.
A Ultimate Thought
We stay in a tradition the place glory usually means fame, energy, or success. However Stephen exhibits us a greater definition: Glory is being so filled with the Holy Spirit that even demise can’t shake your gaze from heaven.
Could we stay with that sort of readability and braveness.
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