[Christ comes] to be glorified in His holy people…  This includes you, because you believed.   2 Thessalonians 1:10

I can see, and I can begin to imagine how God’s people will be glorified in Christ. One day we’ll have a resurrected body like Him. We will have no more pain, sickness or sorrow and a body that’s adapted for eternal life. We will also have a soul like Christ that’s free from every inclination to sin. We will love what Christ loves as Christ loves.

But how will Christ be glorified in us? What does that mean? At the end of the Bible, the apostle John was given a vision, recorded in the book of Revelation. John saw God’s people in the presence of Jesus, and he records what was most striking to him…

Christ will be glorified by the vast number of the redeemed

I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people and language.  Revelation 7:9

Jesus Christ has redeemed people from every corner of the planet and from every generation of history. John says nobody could possibly count them! On the last day, Christ will see the fruit that came from His suffering and be satisfied (Isaiah 53:11).

In my second year of ministry, I was invited to speak at “The Greater Clacton Convention for the Deepening of Spiritual Life.” Karen and I drove 100 miles before we finally arrived at a wooden hut, where we found a total of five people in attendance. My wife reminds me of this often for the purpose of promoting humility!

We’ve all been at events that were disappointing, because only a few people showed up. We ask “Is this it?” No one will be saying “Is this it?” in the presence of Jesus. This will be larger than any gathering you’ve ever seen or imagined, and every person there will have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Christ will be glorified by unique difficulties His people have endured

These are they who have come out of the great tribulation.  Revelation 7:14

This vast company is made up of people who have each faced some special difficulty in life. Here is someone who struggled with depression all her life, but not now—there’s a light and joy in her face she’d never known before. Over there is someone who lacked confidence. He battled fears all his life, but not now—he stands sure and certain in Christ.

There’s someone who endured a great evil inflicted by someone else. It troubled them all their days, but not now—there they stand in the presence of Jesus, every tear has been wiped away. Each person endured a lifelong struggle arising from their temperament or background, but in every case Christ brought them through.

Christ will be glorified by the complete transformation of inveterate sinners

They were wearing white robes.  Revelation 7:9

“Inveterate” means long established, deep-rooted or habitual, so it is a good word to describe the human condition. By nature we are inveterate sinners.

“Yes,” someone will say, “but won’t sinners be shut out from the presence of the Lord?”  

 Those who are in the presence of Jesus were sinners too.

 “What are they doing in the presence of the Lord, and why are they dressed in white?”

 John tells us, “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

Look who’s in the crowd—David the adulterer, Moses the murderer, Peter the denier, Paul the persecutor and you and me with all that we’ve done. We will be washed in the blood of the lamb, cleansed by Christ, dressed in the white robes of His righteousness, holy as God is holy, in His presence without fault and with great joy.

Only Jesus could accomplish such a transformation. If your sins are many, you have every reason to come to Christ today: Your salvation will bring great glory to Him. Put your trust in Christ and He will be glorified in you… forever.

This LifeKey is based on the message (January 16, 2011) called: “Christ Will Be Glorified in You,” by Pastor Colin S. Smith, from the series, “Staying the Course When You’re Tired of the Battle.”

 Listen to, Read or Watch the complete sermon! Or enjoy the Entire Series!