THE GLORY PARADOX: The Way Up is Down
INTRODUCTION: We live in a culture obsessed with “Glory Days”—moments of peak performance, recognition, and status. But the Bible reveals a startling secret: The “Glory” that lights up the earth in the last days is not a display of human power, but a display of divine humility.
In this study, we will uncover the hidden war that began in heaven, the identity of the enemy within our own hearts, and the true path to the “Glory Days” of eternity.
I. THE WAR FOR GLORY
1. How does the Bible describe the final spiritual condition of the earth?
Revelation 18:1 — “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.”
Answer: The final work of the gospel is to fill the earth with God’s glory. But biblical glory is not a light show; it is the revelation of God’s character. As we will see, God’s character is the exact opposite of human pride.
2. Where did the war over “glory” begin?
Revelation 12:7 — “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon…”
Answer: The conflict did not start on earth; it started in the sanctuary of heaven. It was a war over who would sit on the throne and what kind of government would rule the universe.
3. What specific ambition caused Lucifer to become Satan?
Isaiah 14:13-14 — “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High.”
Answer: Lucifer suffered from “I” trouble. Five times he said, “I will.” His fall was caused by the desire to ascend, to be higher than those around him (the “stars” or angels), and to seek position rather than service.
4. How did Jesus describe the difference between the world’s glory and His glory?
Matthew 20:25-28 — “The princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them… but it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.”
Answer: In the world, glory is defined by how many people serve you. In God’s kingdom, glory is defined by how many people you serve. The way up is down.
5. What temptation did Satan use to make humanity fall?
Genesis 3:5 — “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof… ye shall be as gods…”
Answer: Satan sold Eve the same “glory” he sought—the promise of a higher position. He convinced her that she was “running slow” and needed to upgrade her status to be like God. The fall of man was an attempt to ascend.
II. THE ENEMY WITHIN: The Mystery of Iniquity
6. What warning does Paul give about the “falling away”?
2 Thessalonians 2:3 — “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”
Answer: Before the end comes, the “Man of Sin” must be revealed. Prophetically, this points to the Papacy and the antichrist system. However, the spirit of the Man of Sin is a condition that affects all humanity.
7. Where does this “Man of Sin” sit?
2 Thessalonians 2:4 — “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God… so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
Answer: He sits in the “temple.” While there are prophetic applications to a physical or spiritual church structure, the Bible also teaches that we are the temple.
8. What is the “Temple” of God today?
1 Corinthians 3:16 — “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
Answer: If our body is the temple, and the “Man of Sin” sits in the temple exalting himself, then the ultimate enemy is Self sitting on the throne of our hearts. The “Man of Sin” is the nature of self-worship that seeks to rule our lives instead of the Holy Spirit.
9. What happens when “Self” is on the throne?
James 3:16 — “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Answer: When we seek our own glory, it produces “confusion” (Babylon). We cannot reflect God’s glory while we are busy polishing our own image.
10. What is the “Daily” struggle of the Christian?
1 Corinthians 15:31 — “I protest by your rejoicing… I die daily.”
Answer: Paul understood that the “Man of Sin” (the selfish nature) tries to resurrect every morning. The Christian life is a daily process of dying to self so that Christ can live.
III. THE PATH TO TRUE GLORY
11. How did Jesus demonstrate true glory?
Philippians 2:7-8 — “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant… he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Answer: Jesus did the exact opposite of Lucifer. Lucifer said “I will ascend,” but Jesus voluntarily “descended.” He went from the form of God > to an angel (Michael) > to a man > to a servant > to a criminal on a cross. This downward mobility is what God calls “Glory.”
12. What is the “carnal mind” unable to do?
Romans 8:7 — “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
Answer: The carnal mind (the selfish nature) cannot keep God’s law because God’s law is love (selflessness). You cannot keep a law of selflessness with a mind of selfishness.
13. What is the “Testimony of Jesus” that the Remnant possess?
Revelation 12:17 — “…which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Answer: We often define this as the Spirit of Prophecy (Rev 19:10). But practically, to have the “testimony of Jesus” is to have His story reproduced in your life. It means possessing the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of His humility.
14. Why does God choose “weak” things to confuse the mighty?
1 Corinthians 1:27 — “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”
Answer: God uses those who know they are weak, because they are the only ones who will give Him the glory. If God used only the “cool,” “strong,” or “popular” people, they would likely take credit for the success.
15. Can we seek praise from men and still believe in Jesus?
John 5:44 — “How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?”
Answer: Seeking the approval of others blocks true faith. When we are addicted to “likes,” compliments, and status, we are feeding the “Man of Sin” rather than starving him.
IV. THE FINAL INVITATION
16. What is the message of the Third Angel?
Revelation 14:12 — “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Answer: The final group of believers will not just talk about the commandments; they will embody the “Faith of Jesus”—a faith that trusts the Father so completely that they are willing to lose everything, even their lives, for the truth.
17. What will the “Glory Days” of the church look like?
Isaiah 60:1-2 — “Arise, shine; for thy light is come… For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth… but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”
Answer: In the midst of deep moral darkness, the character of God’s people will shine brightly. This glory is not political power or wealth; it is the radiant, attractive power of sacrificial love.
18. What is the only way to be exalted in God’s Kingdom?
James 4:10 — “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Answer: We don’t lift ourselves up. We humble ourselves, we serve, we die to self, and we let God do the lifting in His time.
Your Decision
The “Glory” of this world fades away like a high school football victory. The Glory of God—His character of love—endures forever. Do you want to evict the “Man of Sin” (Self) from the temple of your heart and invite Jesus to take His rightful place on the throne?
Discussion Questions
How does the world’s definition of glory differ from God’s definition of glory, and which definition do we unconsciously pursue in our daily lives?
In what ways do we, like Lucifer, attempt to elevate ourselves above the position God has given us rather than humbly serving where He has placed us?
What is the difference between godly confidence and sinful pride, and how can we discern which one is motivating our actions and speech?
Jesus said those who love their life in this world will lose it, but those who hate their life in this world will keep it unto eternal life—what does it practically mean to ‘hate your life in this world’?
How does the prosperity gospel reflect Lucifer’s original deception, and why are Christians so easily attracted to messages that promise comfort and success in this present life?
The sermon suggests that many who claim to be part of the remnant still live worldly lives—what specific areas of our lives reveal we are living for ourselves rather than for others?
Christ was glorified through His crucifixion, not through earthly success or recognition—how should this truth reshape our expectations of what it means for God to glorify His people at the end of time?
The devil is called the ‘accuser of the brethren’—in what ways do we participate in Satan’s work when we constantly look for faults in other believers rather than loving and serving them?
What does it mean to have ‘the testimony of Jesus,’ and how does our willingness to sacrifice for others demonstrate whether we truly possess this testimony?
