Did we witness His divine glory?

I. Introduction to the Theme of Divine Glory

Throughout the Scriptures, the concept of divine glory refers to the manifestation of the divine presence and power. Understanding whether “we witnessed His divine glory” begins with exploring key moments in Scripture where God’s glory was revealed. The biblical record consistently shows that glory was not merely a light or spectacle, but a direct unveiling of God’s essence and majesty, culminating in Jesus Christ.

II. Old Testament Foundations of Divine Glory

The theme of God’s glory in the Old Testament sets the stage for further revelation in the New Testament.

1. Revealed in Creation

In the opening of Genesis, God creates the heavens and the earth, and the splendor of what He makes displays His creative power (Genesis 1:1). This naturally points to an intelligent design—an ordered universe created by a transcendent Designer.

2. Encounter at Sinai

In Exodus, Moses experiences God’s glory on Mount Sinai. “When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai…” (Exodus 24:15–16). The physical manifestation—a cloud and fire—signifies an overwhelming presence that sets God apart from all created beings.

3. Tabernacle and Temple

The construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 25–40) and later the temple (1 Kings 8) was accompanied by a visible display of God’s glory. “And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD…” (1 Kings 8:10–11). These explicit encounters underscored that God’s glory dwelt among His people in very tangible ways, foreshadowing the ultimate revelation in Christ.

III. The Fulfillment in Christ

The New Testament affirms that the divine glory witnessed by Old Testament figures finds its fullest expression in Jesus.

1. The Incarnation

John declares: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). This statement testifies that those present during Jesus’ earthly ministry personally witnessed the divine glory that had long been anticipated.

2. The Transfiguration

The Gospels record a striking moment when Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a mountain, and “He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Matthew 17:2). This event made it unmistakable to the disciples that they were seeing a radiance belonging to God Himself.

3. Resurrection and Post-Resurrection Appearances

The resurrection is central to understanding Christ’s divine glory. As documented in multiple Gospel accounts and confessed by the early church, the tomb was found empty, and Jesus appeared alive to hundreds of witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). This is consistent with examples preserved and defended in early manuscripts, and it serves as the ultimate vindication of His divine authority.

IV. Apostolic Testimony to Divine Glory

1. Eyewitness Accounts

The apostle Peter writes, “We did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). This statement emphasizes that the apostles personally saw, heard, and touched the incarnate Son of God (1 John 1:1).

2. Consistency in Early Manuscripts

Ancient documents such as the Dead Sea Scrolls (for the Old Testament) and thousands of Greek manuscript copies (for the New Testament) affirm the consistency and reliability of these accounts. The textual tradition corroborates that the revelations of God’s glory and Christ’s identity have remained intact throughout centuries of transmission.

3. Historical and External Corroborations

Extrabiblical sources like the writings of the historian Flavius Josephus and other early church historians provide additional support that something extraordinary transpired surrounding Jesus’ life, death, and reported resurrection. Although they do not capture the divine dimension in the same way, they lend credibility to the early Christian claim that a glorious event—His resurrection—was proclaimed from the very beginning.

V. Theological Implications of Witnessing His Glory

1. Salvation

Central to understanding divine glory in Christ is recognizing His role as Savior. As Scripture affirms, by His death and resurrection, He offers salvation (John 3:16). Witnessing that glory involves acknowledging both the awe-inspiring majesty of God and the redemptive plan that leads to forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

2. Fulfillment of Prophecy

The eyewitness accounts demonstrate that Jesus’ life merges seamlessly with Old Testament prophecies, including those in Isaiah, Micah, and the Psalms. These prophecies forecast the coming Messiah who would reveal God’s glory in a way even more profound than the manifestations at Sinai or in the tabernacle.

3. Transformation of Believers

Those who behold Christ’s glory experience transformation—shifting from doubt to belief, from sin to grace, and from spiritual darkness to light (2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation is marked by a renewed purpose: to glorify God through daily living and the proclamation of this good news.

VI. Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives on Divine Glory

1. Intelligent Design in Nature

From the finely tuned laws of physics to the complexity of biological systems, modern science continues to uncover evidence supporting an intelligent source. Researchers point to the remarkable information contained in DNA and the irreducible complexity of living organisms as signposts that align with Scripture’s teaching of a Creator.

2. Behavioral and Experiential Aspects

Personal encounters—those moments where individuals sense a spiritual reality beyond themselves—are consistent with the transformative experiences described in the Bible. These are not mere subjective impressions but align with the historical testimony of miracles, including healings and demonstrations of power, all pointing back to a God who intervenes in human history.

3. Archaeological Discoveries

Findings such as the remains of ancient cities mentioned in the Old Testament scripts, the reliability of place names, and the discovery of inscriptions attesting to biblical figures, all lend further credibility to Scripture. This historical grounding supports the conviction that the recorded appearances of divine glory are not myth but riveting revelations tied to real time and place.

VII. Practical Reflection: Responding to the Glory

1. Faith and Acknowledgment

Accepting that Jesus truly displayed divine glory is not intended to remain a mere historical note. Scripture calls for a response of faith—a willingness to trust that His revealed glory is still at work in the world today.

2. Worship and Purpose

Encountering this glory produces a response of worship. The Scriptures consistently relate that the proper human posture before divine glory is reverence, awe, and a desire to live in alignment with God’s will. By doing so, individuals fulfill the purpose of glorifying their Creator.

3. Hope and Confidence

The resurrection secures hope for those who trust in Him. If Christ is truly resurrected, as testified by eyewitnesses and preserved in reliable manuscripts, then believers share in the promise of eternal life. This transforms earthly life into a journey marked by meaning, direction, and assurance.

VIII. Conclusion

The question “Did we witness His divine glory?” has a broad, multilayered answer in Scripture. From the Old Testament’s descriptions of God’s radiant presence among His people to the fullest revelation of that glory in Jesus Christ—especially through the Incarnation, Transfiguration, and Resurrection—Scripture consistently affirms that God’s glory was indeed seen. Historical corroboration, manuscript evidence, archaeological findings, and the transformed lives of those who encountered this glory provide a unified testimony.

Those who read, ponder, and accept these scriptural accounts discover a God who has revealed Himself not only in cosmic wonders, but ultimately in the person of Christ. What the faithful of old glimpsed as a cloud and fire, the apostles witnessed as the radiance of the Son of God—a glory that continues to shape lives, sustain hope, and invite all who seek truth to look anew and see that the answer is unequivocally yes.