Following are my message notes for The Regeneration: Jesus and Glory. I presented this message to the Western Ontario District Regenerate Conference.
The Eye Doctor said to me, “I have good news. You have 20/20 vision.” “Why can’t I see anything, if I have 20/20 vision?”
Regeneration (παλινγενεσίᾳ) is recorded twice in the New Testament.
We talked about Paul’s use of regeneration as a regeneration of the soul and spirit of a person. Titus 3:4-6
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior…
The first use of regeneration (παλινγενεσίᾳ) is by Jesus Himself in Matthew 19:28.
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
This is the regeneration not just of the soul and spirit of the person, but a regeneration of the entire kosmos: the regeneration of the heavens and the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the galaxies, the entire universe.
Sin placed man in need of regeneration and also the universe.
This regeneration of the universe is promised by Jesus.
- The return of Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17
- The resurrection from the dead.
- The judgement seat where the books shall be opened.
- Transformation of the universe itself. Acts 3:21 at the time of the restitution of all things.
Notice our text states that in this process, Jesus will sit in the throne of his glory.
when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory
Historical prophecy is moving toward Jesus and glory.
Let’s pick up the historical trail of God’s glory:
- God’s Glory on the Tabernacle. Exodus 40:34-35
34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
2. God’s Glory on Solomon’s Temple. II Chronicles 7: 1-3
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.
2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.
3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
3. God’s Glory on Jesus. John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
4. God’s Glory on the newly redefined temple, which is the fully devout follower of Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3:16
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Some may say, “That glory stuff is Old Testament material. We are in New Testament times.”
In response to Old Testament and New Testament glory, Paul writes 2 Corinthians 3:7 through 4:18
- Since the ministry that brought death and was engraved on stone came with glory, should not the current ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? Vs. 7, 8
Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?
2. Since the ministry that condemns is glorious, should not the ministry that brings righteousness have more glory? Vs. 9
For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.
- The glory of the New Covenant is so spectacular that the glory of the Old Covenant isn’t considered glory in comparison.
Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. Vs. 10
- The glory of the Old Covenant was temporary. The glory of the New Covenant is permanent and greater.
For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. Vs. 11
Jesus made it very clear. The upcoming regeneration of the entire Kosmos is directly related to “when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory.”
Paul makes it a personal challenge for you and the congregations we serve today.
Will we live and breathe and have our being in the greater glory of God? Vs. 18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.
We unveil our faces. Throw away the masks and pretenses.
We behold the glory of the Lord.
We are transformed (Regenerated) into the image of Christ.
And the regeneration continues to grow in glory from one degree of glory to another.
I asked the eye doctor, “If I have 20/20 vision, why can’t I see anything?”
“Oh, that’s easy. Vision and sight are different. They aren’t the same thing.”
The Seraphim in Isaiah’s hearing declare, “The whole earth is full of his glory.”
Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of
hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
We have vision for God’s glory, but have we waited with Moses and said, “If I don’t see your glory and if your glory doesn’t go with me from here, I won’t leave this place?