Entering The Glory

In the Book of Exodus, God told Moses to consecrate the people and set a boundary around the mountain where He was about to meet with him. Then, Aaron and seventy of the elders of Israel were permitted to ascend to a certain place on that mountain, but Moses alone was able to enter the glory to see God face-to-face.

Exodus 24:1,2 - "Then He said to Moses, 'Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel, and you shall worship at a distance. Moses alone, however, shall come near to the Lord, but they shall not come near, nor shall the people come up with him.'"

Exodus 24:16,17 - "And the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai.... and to the eyes of the sons of Israel, the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountain top."

Psalm 24 gives us an understanding of why only Moses was able to approach God, and this example holds a vital truth for us today.

Psalm 24:3,4 - "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord (His Glory)? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands (body) and a pure heart (spirit); who has not lifted up his SOUL to falsehood."

The Lord is holy, and His word is pure (Psalm 12:6). Only those who have been sanctified spirit, soul, and body may approach Him.

1 Thess.5:23 - "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), and the fire of His jealous love consumes all that hinders our walk with Him (Song of Songs 8:6). Ask the Lord to examine your heart AND your soul (mind, will, emotions), to purify your motives, and to bring everything into alignment with His perfect will for your life. Then, we can pray with assurance that our heart is pure, and that we have not "lifted up our soul to falsehood." We will enter His glory realm and experience all that He has prepared for us!