Study 27 – EARTHEN VESSELS CHOSEN TO CARRY HIS GLORY II

Study 27 – EARTHEN VESSELS CHOSEN TO CARRY HIS GLORY II
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of
us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
From last week…
Part IV: Demonstrating God’s Glory on Earth
1. The first several verses of Isaiah 60 illustrate the glory of God that is within us and upon us, as well as
how we demonstrate that glory to the world.
What is the first word in Isaiah 60:1, which tells us how we begin to manifest God’s glory?
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2. (a) What quotation did Paul include in his letter to the Ephesians that combined the idea of light from
Isaiah 60:1 and the concept of resurrection/new life from Isaiah 26:19? (Ephesians 5:14)
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(b) There are two action words in this quotation, which are spiritual calls to action. One is “arise.” What
is the other? (Verse 14)
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We cannot see the manifest presence of God if we are not seeking it.
3. (a) What is the second word in Isaiah 60:1, which encourages us to reflect God’s glory?
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(b) How did Paul depict the influence of the Philippian believers who, “in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15a), were “holding fast the word of life” (verse 16a)? Complete the
following:
Verse 15b: “…among whom ________ ______________ _______ _________________ _____ _________
______________.”
Key Definition: The word “shine” in Isaiah 60:1 is translated from the Hebrew word owr, whose definitions
include “to be or become light,” “to be luminous,” “to give, show light,” and even “to set on fire.”
4. The third aspect of Isaiah 60:1, which illustrates God’s manifest glory, is the phrase “for your light has
come.”
(a) What did the apostle John say about the life that was in Jesus? (John 1:4b)
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(b) When Christ’s brilliant light shone on Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus, and Saul fell to the
ground, what was one of the first things Christ said to him, reminiscent of the statement “Arise”
in Isaiah 60:1? Complete the following:
Acts 26:16a: “But _________ ________ _____________ _______ __________ __________.”
(c) After Paul had experienced and received Christ’s light, what was he sent to do for those who did not
know Christ —a calling that we share today? Complete the following: Verse 18a: “To open their eyes, in
order _____ ___________ __________ _________ ____________________ _____ _____________,
________ ____________ _______ ________________ ______ _________________ _____
__________….”
(d) When we fulfil this calling, what do we enable people to receive? (Verse 18b)
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______________________________________________________________________________________The Glory of God.
Darkness is the terrifying influence of Satan’s kingdom on earth. Light is the glory of God that removes the
darkness.
REFLECTIONS ON THE FORMER AND LATTER GLORY
I believe the latter glory is effectively the union of the former glory and the latter glory; it magnifies the
power that is released and the wonders of which we testify. The manifestations of this new glory are
taking place in the present, and we will see them in their fullness in the future. Through Christ, we can
live within the dimensions of faith and glory, having the ability to experience the manifestations of God’s
glory in the now—all because Jesus conquered the cross and was raised from the dead!
What manifestations can we expect to see in the latter glory? We can expect to see an acceleration of
God’s work in every area, as well as radical transformations; miracles, signs, and wonders; the casting
out of demons; millions of souls won for Christ; dominion over nature; supernatural provision and
protection; the shaking of cities, nations, and continents by revivals produced by the glory of God; and
other phenomena we cannot fathom.
5. (a) How did Isaiah describe the glory of the Lord coming upon His people, using imagery related to
the natural sun? (Isaiah 60:1b)
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(c) When the father of John the Baptist prophesied of the coming Messiah, what similar words did
he use? Complete the following:
Luke 1:78b (NIV): “…because of the tender mercy of our God, by which ________ _______________
________ __________ _____________ ______ ______ ____________ ___________________.”
(d) What would the Messiah do when He came? (Verse 79a NIV)
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(e) What examples of miracles and signs did Jesus give John the Baptist as proof that He was the
“rising sun” of whom his father had prophesied? (Matthew 11:5)
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KEY DEFINITION: The Amplified Bible provides insight into the meanings of the words “Arise” and “Shine”
in Isaiah 60:1: “Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to
a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord
has risen upon you!”
6. When God’s glory rises upon us, and we receive it, then “His glory will be seen upon [us]” (Isaiah
60:2b).
(a) In what manner was God’s glory literally seen upon Stephen by the religious council when he came
before them after being falsely charged with blasphemy? (Acts 6:15b)
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(b) How was God’s glory “seen” upon Paul in a special way? (Acts 19:11–12)
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21. (a) What did Isaiah say will happen on the earth in the days of the latter glory, even as God’s glory is
upon His people? (Isaiah 60:2a)
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(b) What are some of the forms that this dire situation has taken and will take before Christ’s return?
(Matthew 24:6a, 7, 9–12; Luke 21:11b)
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______________________________________________________________________________________The Glory of God.
(c) What is the “good news” in this scenario? (Matthew 24:14)
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(d) What did Paul exhort believers to do in relation to “unfruitful works of darkness”? (Ephesians 5:11a)
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(e) Because they were “once darkness” but now are “light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8), in what manner
are believers to walk as children of light, bearing the fruit of the Spirit? Complete the following:
Verse 9: “For the fruit of the Spirit is in ______ _________________, ______________________________,
________ _______________.”
(f) What did Paul urge believers to do as they walk in the light of Christ circumspectly and wisely, and for
what reason? (Verse 16)
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The glory of God can manifest in any of His aspects—visible and invisible— here and now.
22. (a) Whom did Isaiah say would come to God’s people when they saw the glory that was upon them?
(Isaiah 60:3)
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(b) In an Old Testament example of this concept, whom did Pharaoh call upon when he needed a
supernatural explanation for his unusual dream, which turned out to be a prophetic word about his
nation’s future? (Genesis 41:14–15)
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(c) Whom did this person clarify would interpret the dream for Pharaoh? (Verse 16)
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(d) Who was one of the first Gentile officials to be converted to Christ by the gospel? (Acts 10)
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(e) What did Jesus tell His disciples was the reason they would be brought before rulers and kings for His
sake? (Mark 13:9b)
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23. (a) What did Isaiah say about the “sons” and “daughters” of those on whom the glory of the Lord
had risen? (Isaiah 60:4b)
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(b) What did God say He would do for the descendants and offspring of His people? (Isaiah 44:3b)
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(c) What else would the children of God’s people experience from the Lord, and what would they have?
(Isaiah 54:13)
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24. (a) What did Isaiah say would come to those on whom God’s light had shone? Complete the following:
Isaiah 60:5b: “…_______ ______________ _____ _______ _________________ shall come to you.”
(b) Just before the Lord freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, what did He tell His people to do?
(Exodus 11:2; 12:35)
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(c) What had the Lord given to His people in the sight of the Egyptians, and what did the Egyptians grant
them? (Exodus 12:36)
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(d) What did Solomon say is stored up for the righteous? (Proverbs 13:22b)
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25. What did the Lord say He would do in blessing His people and drawing the Gentiles to His light?
Complete the following:
Isaiah 60:7b: “And I will _____________ _______ ______________ _____ _______ _______________.” The Glory of God.
Conclusion
Every member of the body of Christ is responsible for carrying, protecting, and manifesting God’s glory
on earth. We are the temple built not by men but by God’s hand, where His presence dwells by the Holy
Spirit. The glory of God can still come upon us, the same as it did upon various servants of God in the Old
Testament, as well as the early Christians. (See, for example, Acts 11:15; 19:6.) However, God’s glory is also
within us, just as it was for those early Christians who believed in Jesus and received the indwelling Holy
Spirit. This is what it means for the former and the latter glory to be active together! Carnal or worldly
individuals do not understand that God is supernatural; they feel there is no purpose for the spiritual
realm because they are in darkness and cannot see it. It is our responsibility and task to demonstrate it—
to show them the light of Christ and miracles done in His name. No one can “explain” God, but when
people experience Him, no explanations are needed. If we find ourselves trying to give explanations, it
is because religion has separated us from experience. People will believe God when they experience Him.
When they see the supernatural things that take place through us, they will realize that this remarkable
power comes from God alone. At this realization, they will begin to glorify Him. It is wonderful to know
that, wherever we go, this “treasure” (2 Corinthians 4:7) that dwells in us has the ability to save, heal,
deliver, and transform. The only requisite is that we make ourselves available to manifest His glory.
Prayer of Activation
Father of glory, we are earthen vessels, ready to carry Your glory to those around us. May Your glory rise
upon us now, so that we may awaken, arise, and shine as reflections of Your grace, power, and majesty
to the world. Bring multitudes to faith in Jesus and pour out Your healing and miracles in the “greater
works” Jesus promised. Glorify the house of Your glory, now and for eternity. Amen!
Action Steps
 Your body is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Consider if there is any way in which
you are mistreating this “temple”— through overeating, substance abuse, neglect of exercise, and
so forth—and stop doing it. Determine to honor the Lord with your entire life, including your physical
body.
 We must learn to walk circumspectly and wisely in these last days, and to redeem the time, “because
the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). Write down what you can do this week and this month to redeem
your time to better fulfill God’s purposes of manifesting His glory to the world. Each week, review
what you have written and renew your commitment to redeeming your time.