Topical Encyclopedia The theme of the excellency and glory of Christ following His sufferings is a profound and central tenet of Christian theology, reflecting the divine plan of redemption and the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death. This concept is deeply rooted in Scripture, where the sufferings of Christ are portrayed as a necessary precursor to His exaltation and glory.Biblical Foundation The prophetic anticipation of Christ's sufferings and subsequent glory is vividly depicted in the Old Testament. Isaiah 53:10-12 speaks of the suffering servant, stating, "Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer... After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied; by His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities." This passage highlights the divine purpose behind Christ's sufferings and the resulting justification and glory. In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter emphasizes this theme in 1 Peter 1:10-11 : "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow." Here, Peter underscores the prophetic witness to the sufferings and subsequent glorification of Christ. Christ's Sufferings The sufferings of Christ are central to the Gospel narrative, culminating in His crucifixion. The Gospels provide detailed accounts of His passion, highlighting the physical, emotional, and spiritual agony He endured. In Matthew 27:46 , Jesus cries out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" This moment encapsulates the depth of His suffering as He bore the sins of humanity. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 2:7-8 , describes Christ's humility and obedience unto death: "He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." This passage illustrates the voluntary nature of Christ's sufferings, undertaken for the redemption of mankind. The Glory That Followed Following His sufferings, Christ's resurrection and ascension mark the beginning of His exaltation and glory. The resurrection is the divine vindication of His sacrificial death, as Paul asserts in Romans 1:4 : "and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, affirming Christ's victory over death and His divine sonship. The ascension further signifies Christ's glorification, as He is seated at the right hand of the Father. In Ephesians 1:20-21 , Paul writes, "He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." This exaltation underscores Christ's supreme authority and the fulfillment of His redemptive work. Theological Implications The excellency and glory of Christ following His sufferings have profound theological implications. It affirms the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice, the assurance of salvation for believers, and the hope of eternal life. The pattern of suffering followed by glory also serves as a paradigm for Christian discipleship, as believers are called to share in Christ's sufferings with the promise of sharing in His glory (Romans 8:17). Moreover, the glorification of Christ is a testament to the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His redemptive promises, as articulated in 2 Corinthians 1:20 : "For all the promises of God are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him, our 'Amen' is spoken to the glory of God." This underscores the centrality of Christ in God's salvific plan and the ultimate realization of His kingdom. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Peter 1:10,11Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come to you: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Christ's Priestly Office Christ is All Divine Fellowship Philippians iii. 10-Jul Thoughts Upon the Imitation of Christ. Visions of Future Glory John i. 14 section second. Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty The Evidences of Christianity, Deduced from the New Testament ... Resources What is the Letter to Diognetus? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God create the world / earth? | GotQuestions.org Excellency: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Excellency and Glory of Christ in his Exaltation The Excellency and Glory of Christ in his Sinless Perfection The Excellency and Glory of Christ in his Transfiguration The Excellency and Glory of Christ in his Triumph The Excellency and Glory of Christ in his Words The Excellency and Glory of Christ in his Works The Excellency and Glory of Christ in the Calling of the Gentiles The Excellency and Glory of Christ in the Fulness of his Grace and Truth The Excellency and Glory of Christ in the Restoration of the Jews The Excellency and Glory of Christ is Incomparable The Excellency and Glory of Christ is Unchangeable The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Creator The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As God The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Head of the Church The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Incarnate The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Judge The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As King The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Lord of Lords The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Mediator The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As One With the Father The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Priest The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Prophet The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As Shepherd The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the Blessed of God The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the First-Begotten The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the First-Born The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the Foundation of the Church The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the Image of God The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the Life The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the Son of God The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the True Light The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the Truth The Excellency and Glory of Christ: As the Way The Excellency and Glory of Christ: Celebrated by the Redeemed The Excellency and Glory of Christ: Followed his Resurrection The Excellency and Glory of Christ: Followed his Sufferings The Excellency and Glory of Christ: Imparted to Saints The Excellency and Glory of Christ: Revealed in the Gospel The Excellency and Glory of Christ: Saints Shall Behold, in Heaven The Excellency and Glory of Christ: Saints Shall Rejoice at the Revelation of The Excellency and Glory of the Church are Abundant The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Augmented by Increase of Its Members The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Being Established The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Being the Body of Christ The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Being the Bride of Christ The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Being the Seat of God's Worship The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Being the Temple of God The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Eminent Position The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Graces of Character The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Members Being Righteous The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Perfection of Beauty The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Sanctification The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Consist in Its: Strength and Defence The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Derived from Christ The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Derived from God The Excellency and Glory of the Church: God Delights In The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Result from the Favour of God The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Saints Delight In The Excellency and Glory of the Church: Sin Obscures Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |