S167P10 – Sources of joy: his future glory
1Pet. 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
The scriptures describe the many ways in which we are united with Christ in spirit. We previously reviewed rejoicing in sharing in both the suffering and sacrifice of Christ, which is a privilege in its own. We also know that we already have died with him and have been resurrected with him through his resurrection. [Rom. 6:1-14] However, this spiritual unity we share with him does not stop there. The same way we can see the course of the work of Jesus going through certain steps until his glorification, we also go through those steps with him until our glorification. [Rom. 8:16-17] In fact, we share in all of this as we are fellow children of God and heirs with Christ.
We must remember that the culmination of Christ’s return is his unity with his bride. There will be a marriage supper at the end of this age to bring these two together. He is the bridegroom, and we are the bride. We know that the bride must go through a sanctification process to be presented perfect and spotless for this perfect and spotless bridegroom. Just as He is glorified before the Father at the end of the age, so will she be glorified. This is the most sacred of unions and represents several kinds of perfect relationship. God is our father, our brother and our groom. In all of these relational connections, we share in his glory. It is the end of the process of him making us holy as He is holy.
To rejoice in the future glory of Christ is to rejoice in our own future glory. It is neither selfish nor egotistical to feel this way. We should look forward to the day when our bodies have been glorified, our spirits have been perfected and our susceptible flesh is no more. We should desire to share in the glory of Christ not as one taking anything from him but as one humbly accepting this gift which is the will of God. In fact, we do not need to wait until that day to rejoice in this future glory. We can have joy now at its prospect. Father, remind us daily that we will not occupy this flawed state forever but one day will be united with your Son in perfect glory for eternity.