"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." [Ecc 7:8]

Those moments when the sun peaks above the skyline, “as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,” [Psa 19:5] upsetting the night and reflecting all manner of colored light; and then when some hours later that same sun, still strong and brilliant, descends back from whence it came, leaving in spectacular fashion – with purples and pinks and reds – that it might “declare the glory of God” [Psa 19:1] somewhere else in the world, are the two most beautiful parts of the day. The glory which the sun paints across the sky, a language which is not hidden from any ear upon the earth, (for “there is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” [Psa 19:3]), is an event which continuously occurs across the globe. In a similar way, God’s glory, which we see in the face of Jesus Christ, who is “the radiance of His glory,” is that which “shall endure for ever.” [Heb 1:3, Psa 104:31] His glory shall never cease; ever since the world began, since eyes were created to behold it, and hearts were created to cherish it, and minds created to remember it – yes, for all of eternity, from beginning to end, God’s glory has been and will continue to shine.

Our verse for today reminds us of God’s ever increasing and eternal glory. Though it may not be readily apparent at first, yet once we plunge beneath the surface, we shall see if The Spirit grants, as in the great waters, color and beauty that speaks of our Lord.

Let us first remember how Christianity began. It was at that moment of Jesus’ resurrection, when His body burst forth from the grave, “because it was not possible that he should be holden of [death].” [Acts 2:24] It was at that moment when The Father spoke to His most blessed and unique Son, “thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” [f.f., Acts 13:33] Yes, in that moment, “The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle,” rose out from among the dead, “having spoiled principalities and powers,” making “a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in [His cross].” [Psa 24:8, Col 2:15] In that very moment, the foundation for Christianity as we know it was laid, that is, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” [Col 1:27] Certainly, it would not be until Jesus poured out His Holy Spirit upon the Apostles that the true power necessary to proclaim Jesus’ life and glory and work would be possible, but all the necessary groundwork had been laid. Christ was alive; yea, is alive! And as Paul says, “if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” [1 Cor 15:17] After Jesus died and rose, God exalted Him, granting one of His last prayers, when He said, “and now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” [Jn 17:5] Because of Jesus’ work,

“God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” [Phil 2:9-10]

At that moment, Jesus received from The Father all of the glory of God Himself. All the glory that Jesus enjoyed before His incarnation, before He took upon Himself a lowly body in the likeness of sinful flesh, He received. As Hebrews says,

“…When He had by Himself purged our sins, [He then] sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High; being made so much better than the angels, as He hath be inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” [Heb 1:3-4]

Truly, we see that the beginning of Christianity had an immeasurable amount of glory. As the sun begins its ascent to noonday, bringing with its emergence incredible beauty, so too Jesus, “The Bright and Morning Star,” [Rev 22:16] brought with His resurrection much glory when this day of God’s favor and grace began, when The Father spoke to The Son, “this day have I begotten thee.” [Psa 2:7]

Let us likewise proclaim, as it says in the Psalms regarding this event, “this is the day which The LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it;” [Psa 118:24] for it is through Jesus’ resurrection that we can claim any of God’s promises at all. However, though this is glorious and well, let us remember the latter portion of our text for today, which says, “better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.” Logically, if the beginning of our faith was so blessed and grand, the consummation of it shall be that much greater.

If we have not thought on this before, we may quickly realize the truth of this; for there is hardly a Christian among us who is not now presently, “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” [Titus 2:13] With great affection we await our Groom to return, that we might see His blessed face; for we are promised, “and they shall see His face.” [Rev 22:4] What a treasure it is to await these things which are bound to be so beautiful, so glorious, so tremendous, that none of our bodily senses could quite well describe it. The end will be better than the beginning, and Jesus, who is “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,” [Rev 1:8] shall soon come to rescue us from this world, for He promised us,

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” [Jn 14:1-3]

So then, as Peter says, we would do well to take heed to God’s prophecies and promises, “as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts;” [2 Pe 1:19] for, “the night is far spent, the day is at hand,” [Rom 13:12] and our redemption draws near. May we ever yearn and look forward to that blessed and glorious day when Jesus returns: “the restitution of all things,” as it is called, for it is “unto them that look for Him [that] He shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” [Acts 3:21, Heb 9:28] That day will be a celestial and eternal display, far greater than even the glory revealed unto us at Jesus’ resurrection – a day when “God shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” [Rev 21:4]

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