THE PURPOSE FOR IT ALL

"To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:11)

ONE OF THE GREAT LESSONS to be learned is that salvation is primarily for the honor and glory of God. It is a glorious enterprise in which holy angels are tutored in the magnificent wisdom of God (Eph 3:10). All of heaven stands in amazement at the working of God in salvation. This is emphasized again and again in the Revelation. " . . . those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to Him that sat on the throne . . .Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power . . . Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever . . . Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever . . . Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God" (4:9,11; 5:13; 7:12; 19:12).

THE SUPREMACY OF FAITH is seen in the fact that it preeminently gives "glory to God." Abraham was "strong in faith," and this gave "glory to God" (Rom 4:20). When Christ "received us" from the hand of the Father, it was "to the glory of God" (Rom 15:2). In the church, "glory" is brought to the "only wise" God "through Jesus Christ for ever" (Rom 16:27). This is an eternal enterprise!

THE MODERN CHURCH has placed a disproportionate emphasis on helping people, and too little upon glorifying God. The real purpose of the salvation of God has nearly been obliterated by the institutionalized church. It is a most serious circumstance.

GLORY. Technically, "glory" involves the honor, praise, dignity, and the worship of God. In salvation, all of this is rendered out of an understanding and thankful heart. God received glory upon the head of Pharaoh (Rom 9:17), Sennacherib (2 Chron 32:22), and Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 4:36-37). While such glory is involved in the walk of faith, that is not the type of glory in our text. This is not a text of admonition, nor is it a statement of doctrine – although both are found elsewhere in Scripture. This is an outbreak of spontaneous praise – of insightful thanksgiving. Peter, who himself was suffering because of his faith, had seen the hand of the Lord in it all. He knew it was God who was working in him "both to will and to do of His own good pleasure" (Phil 2:12). He has so taught the disciples as to allow them to share in such insight.

THERE IS A SPECIAL HONOR brought to the Lord when His people perceive who He is and what He is doing – when they recognize "It is the Lord!" (1 Sam 3:18; John 21:7). This is part of God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven (Matt 6:10). Heaven knows "the whole earth is full of His glory" (Isa 6:3). But when that is perceived among the elect, a magnificent and transcendent glory is brought to God. When His hand and work are perceived, and due honor is given to Him, the "glory" of our text will occur.

DOMINION. Here is an aspect of our great God that has been greatly obscured by academic approaches to Scripture. Flesh refuses to think of God in connection with "dominion." It had rather shine the light of attention upon men, their free will, and their ability. But there is no room for such emphases in the Kingdom of God. That is why they are totally absent in the sacred record. "Dominion" has to do with God's Sovereignty, might, control, and supremacy. He is, in fact, "greater than all" (John 10:29). Those who oppose Him will be summarily cast down. Those who believe Him will be upheld. His enemies will all be put under His feet, and His children will all be exalted to sit with His Son in His throne. If men do not acknowledge Him, He is fully able to reduce them to a place where they will be prone to give Him honor, as with Nebuchadnezzar. He can stop Pharaoh from doing his wicked will, and cause young David to defeat mighty Goliath. God HAS the dominion! It belongs to Him. It is not that He ought to have it, but that He DOES have it. Further, He can give power in any degree to whomever He desires (Dan 4:25,32). Blessed is the person who knows and confesses this.

THE CHURCH NEEDS TO HEAR of the Sovereign, or all powerful, God. "But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased" (Psa 115:3). And again, "Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places" (Psa 135:6). This is a truth the people of God must grasp with both hands, else they will not be able to stand "against the wiles of the devil." True praise will ascribe "all power" to God, and do it insightfully and confidently. It will acknowledge that "dominion" belongs to Him, and see the personal advantage of it being that way. Faith will take that truth and live triumphantly in a hostile world, bringing honor and glory to God. In so doing, the purpose of God is being fulfilled.

– Given O. Blakely