"The display of His splendor" is a phrase tucked away in the Old Testament book of Isaiah.
(Chapter 61:3) This phrase has held my attention once again. Here are some thoughts "for what it's worth"
God wants to make Himself known. He does this through Israel, through what He has made, through His Church,and through those He has redeemed.
It is obvious in the context,that His chosen people, Israel, is what is referred to in Isaiah 61:3. He says He is going to "bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."
God displayed His splendor through Israel throughout the Old Testament. He displayed His splendor through the incarnation of His Son, Jesus, the Christ. He displayed His splendor to modern day Israel by preserving this little nation when all were against her. (Google "Miracles in the 1967 Israeli war"). And this whole passage in Isaiah tells about the future display of His splendor through His chosen ones.
The 19th Psalm says "The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies declare the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." Creation displays His splendor.
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul when speaking of the Church says in Ephesians 3:10 " His intent was that now through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms." He displays His splendor through His Bride, the Church. His splendor is revealed to humans, angels, demons, and possibly other creatures.
He displays His splendor through His redeemed ones...all who have placed their trust in Him. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." The word "workmanship" is translated from the word "poiema" in the greek language...it has the idea of poem. Think of it this way, "We are God's masterpiece..." We are to display His splendor.
Not only do we display His splendor now , but will continue to do this through eternity. Ephesians 1:7 says that "in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus." He will point to us, sinners saved through His love and by His grace, and display His splendor in that way...forever.
HE MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN IN SO MANY WAYS BY MAKING A DISPLAY OF HIS SPLENDOR.
