There is a big difference between the presence of God and his glory. The presence of God is subjective; it depends on a person’s sensitivity towards the Lord. Sometimes it can be there without revealing itself in any tangible way. The glory of God, on the other hand, is a physical manifestation that the eye can see. This is why frequently, when it is mentioned, it is described as an experience of our senses, in particular of sight.

“In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord. » Exodus 16.7

“The glory of the Lord was like consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the Israelites. » EXODUS 24.17:

Israel referred to the “Shekinah glory” as the glorious, bright light that was in the Most Holy Place. It must have been an indescribable experience for the high priest who had the incredible privilege of standing before this awesome display of God’s glory.
The Lord, through his image of the tabernacle, shows us that he desires to lead us into his intimacy. Through the cross we can claim this intimacy with Him; this is part of the privileges of Christians, according to the New Testament. What we see the Lord accomplishing in the Old Testament foreshadowed what He intended to do.

“For the law has a shadow of the good things to come…” HEBREWS 10:1

I would add that intimacy with God is the greatest benefit we can enjoy in the New Testament.
This is what we lost in the Garden of Eden. After sinning against God, Adam and Eve both fell short of His glory. From then on, a wall of separation was erected between men and God, represented by a veil in the taber-nacle. Jesus didn’t just die so that we could be saved. He came above all to reconcile us with the Father. The Bible says:

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not burdening men with their trespasses, and he has placed in us the ministry of reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5.19.

Reconciliation means bringing back together. So Jesus not only came to save us from our sins so that we can go to heaven one day, but it is part of the process that brings us closer to God.

Remember that on the day Jesus died, a major event occurred in the temple. The veil of the temple which separated the most holy place, where God dwelt, from the rest of the temple, where men were, was torn in two from top to bottom Matt. 27:50.

This veil was a constant reminder that humanity was separated from God. Through the death of Jesus, the way to God was now open. My friends, we can now benefit from the experience that the high priest only did once a year. Don’t continue to live a dispossessed Christian life, God wants to show us more…

This text is an extract from the book “Contemplation (The Revolution of the Lovers of God vol.3)” written by Samuel KAMUANGA.

We invite you to read the following article “GOD DOES NOT PLAY HIDE AND SEEK“.