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What is the Shekinah Glory?

What is Shekinah Glory? Is This In The Bible?
Jesus’s glory as GOD was veiled in human flesh, but at times His Glory, the so-called Shekinah Glory, was revealed.  SO what is the Shekinah Glory of God?

Shekinah

What does the word Shekinah mean?  It is not in the Bible, so WHY do we need to know what this word means as regarding God’s Glory?  The word Shekinah is from the Hebrew word shekinot and it actually is in the Bible where GOD is said to settle in or dwell with.  Shekinot means where God is dwelling, settling or where His Divine Presence is.  This Glory is seen when God’s glory filled the Temple and even in the wilderness where He was a Light during the night and the Shekinah cloud of His Glory shaded Israel in the scorching sun of the desert. 
Exodus 13:21-22 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (KJV)

His Presence was revealed by the penetrating Light that filled the Tabernacle, the Temple in Jerusalem and even in the Transfiguration of Jesus on the Mount, where Jesus shone as bright as the sun when He spoke with Moses and Elijah.
Daniel 10:5-6 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6  His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. (KJV)
Matthew 17:1-3 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. (KJV)
Acts 9:3-4 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (KJV)
Revelation 1:14-16 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (KJV)

I believe that the whole of Ezekiel Chapter 1, is the Shekinah Glory of God, being revealed to the astounded prophet, so that he could bring it to GOD’S people in Ezekiel’s time and for us today as well.

Jesus’ Transfiguration Glory 

Jesus partially revealed His Shekinah Glory on a mountain and allowed Peter, James and John to see this awesome Glory. This is why the Apostle John said that Jesus “dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (Jn.1:14); and that Jesus is “the light of men.” John 1:4-7 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (KJV) . . . Christ Jesus is the very essence and nature of GOD as Light and that is part of His Shekinah Glory which was why John said “we have seen his glory.”

The Transfiguration is where Jesus allowed Peter, James and John to see His Glory in Matthew 17:1-8. It is where Jesus for a very short time, peeled back His humanity to allow the disciples to see the very Shekinah Glory of God. It overwhelmed them just as it does to anyone where GOD reveals His Glory. Humans become as dead men when they see this awesome Glory of God!
Genesis 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, (KJV)  
Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. (KJV)  
Ezekiel 1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (KJV)  
Ezekiel 3:23 Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face. (KJV) 
Daniel 8:18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. (KJV)  
Daniel 10:8-9 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9  Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. (KJV)
Daniel 10:17-19 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. 18  Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19  And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. (KJV)
Habakkuk 3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. (KJV)  

Matthew 17:2-6 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. (KJV)
Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (KJV)  
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (KJV)

Everyone will see the LORD someday in all His splendor, majesty and Shekinah Glory and ALL shall fall down before Him on bended knees. 
Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (KJV)
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (KJV)
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (KJV) . . . Some (only a few Mat.7:14), will do so very willingly as He is their Saviour, LORD and King . . . but for others, they will wait until He becomes their Judge (Jn.5:22, 27; 2 Tim.4:1, 8; 1 Pet.4:5; Rev.19:11), when He shall send them off into eternal torment (Rev 20:11-15). God CANNOT dwell where there is unconfessed sin or where someone has not repented and trusted in Christ. It is YOUR decision which of two places you will spend eternity: Heaven or Hell! That day to decide should NOT be put off because today is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2), for tomorrow you may not be here . . . and it will be your day of condemnation (Jn.3:18, 36; 8:24).

The Lord GOD’S Shekinah Glory

Most people have little, or NO understanding of what the Shekinah Glory of the Lord GOD is, let alone realize the prophetic importance of this awesome Appearance of Almighty GOD. In order to fully understand the prophetic Passages in the Book of Revelation, we need to carefully understand the idea of the physical appearances or displays of our Creator GOD.
Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (KJV)   http://www.godcannotlie.org/rev_ch21.htm
The city has no need for the sun or the moon to shine in it, because God’s Shekinah Glory gives it light, and its Lamp is the Lamb. This is very important. The word Shekinah (Sh'khinah) was devised from related words in the Bible which describe the PRESENCE of Jehovah. The word Shekinah is not found in the Bible, but the idea clearly is. Shekinah is also used to describe the spiritual Shekinah Presence in the Tabernacle and later in the first and second Temples.

The word Shekinah is defined in the Encyclopedia Judaica as the Divine Presence, the numinous (spiritual) immanence of God in the world . . . a revelation of the holy in the midst of the profane. The Encyclopedia goes on to say: One of the more prominent images associated with the Shekhinah is that of light.

Throughout the Bible the Lord GOD speaks of His desire to have a close relationship with His people. During the time of Moses the added PHYSICAL Shekinah Presence was evidence of the REAL Presence which is omnipresent and unseen.
                            
We are to know that there is a difference from the Shekinah and the angel of the LORD. The Shekinah was first apparent when the Israelites set out from Succoth in their escape from Egypt. There it appeared as a cloudy pillar in the day and a fiery pillar by night.
Exodus 13:21-22 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (KJV)
The physical Shekinah was also evident at the crossing of the Red Sea.
Exodus 14:24-25 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, 25  And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. (KJV)
The Israelites were led by the physical Shekinah for 40 years, after which the Holy Presence of the omniscient God inhabited the Tabernacle and the land of Israel. The Shekinah was not always afterwards physically manifested.
Numbers 35:34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel. (KJV)  
Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (KJV)
When Moses and the Israelites finished erecting the Tabernacle, the Shekinah of JEHOVAH filled it (Ex.6:3; Ps.83:18; Isa.12:2; 26:4).
Exodus 40:33-38 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. 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. 36  And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 37  But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38  For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. (KJV)

Whenever that Presence was physically manifested, it terrified those who experienced it.
Exodus 24:15-17 And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. 16  And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17  And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. (KJV)

When Moses went to the mountain to get the Ten Commandments, the appearance of the physical Presence of the LORD GOD on Mount Sinai is described as fire and cloud and thick darkness.
Exodus 24:15-18 And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. 16  And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17  And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
18  And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. (KJV)

Earlier, the seventy elders had gone up into the cloud and actually saw the Shekinah Glory, and they were so afraid they could not eat or drink (Ex.24:10-11).

The Psalms contain a description of the Shekinah Presence:
Psalm 68:16-18 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever. 17  The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. 18  Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. (KJV) . . . God’s chariots (angels): (Deut.33:2; 2 Ki.2:11; 6:1617; Ps.18:10; Eze.1:15-28; Dan.7:10; Mat.26:53; Rev.9:16).           

There are many other times when the direct intervention of the Lord GOD was manifest in a Shekinah Presence to Moses.
After Israel entered the Promised Land, the Lord GOD’S Presence was revealed spiritually in the Tabernacle, but not often in a physical manner. GOD’S actual Presence was always accepted by the Israelites as being in the Tabernacle (and later in the Temple), but was not always physically confirmed by the visible Shekinah.

Whenever the Lord GOD makes a forever Promise in the Bible, there are always conditions connected to it, and the Shekinah is no different. When He said He would dwell in the Temple forever, there were conditions to this Promise. Therefore, at the destruction of the First Temple, He did NOT allow His Shekinah Presence to stay in the Holy of Holies (inner sanctuary of the Temple) because so much abominable corruption had taken place. It is very surprising that the LORD stayed in the Temple as long as He did! Clearly, His love for His people is such that He endures far more than any human judge would think possible. Even with all the abominations that occurred during the last days of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin (and most of the reign of Zedekiah); Ezekiel's vision of the departure of the LORD’S Shekinah from the Temple and city did not take place until after the beginning of the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and his army.

Ezekiel's description of the Lord GOD’S "Shekinah" is so much more detailed, but very similar to what the 70 elders saw on Mount Sinai, as recorded in Exodus 24. Ezekiel's description of the Shekinah in Ezekiel Chapter one of his prophecy is described as fire enfolding itself borne by cherubim whose appearance pulsated with surging light, themselves borne by seemingly gyroscopic wheels within wheels. Ezekiel 1:5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. (KJV) 
There are other descriptions of the nature of the Lord GOD’S Shekinah that Ezekiel saw LEAVING a then desolate Temple. The building was still standing but no longer had the LORD’S Glory in it that it had before it was destroyed.

Book of Ezekiel

Eze.Ch.1 . . Eze.Ch.2 . . Eze.Ch.3. . Eze.Ch.4 . . Eze.Ch.5 . . . Eze.Ch.6 . . Eze.Ch.7 . . Eze.Ch.8 . . Eze.Ch.9 . . Eze.Ch.10 . . Eze.Ch.11 . . Eze.Ch.12 . . Eze.Ch.13 . . Eze.Ch.14. . Eze.Ch.15 . . Eze.Ch.16 . . Eze.Ch.17 . . Eze.Ch.18 . . Eze.Ch.19 . . Eze.Ch.20 . . Eze.Ch.21 . . Eze.Ch.22 . . Eze.Ch.23 . . Eze.Ch.24 . . Eze.Ch.25 . . Eze.Ch.26 . . Eze.27 . . Eze.28 . . Eze.29 . . Eze.30 . . Eze.31 . . Eze.32 . . Eze.33 . . Eze.34 . . Eze.35 . . Eze.36 . . Eze.37 . . Eze.38 . . Eze.39 . . Eze.40 . . Eze.41 . . Eze.42 . . Eze.43 . . Eze.44 . . Eze.45 . . . Eze.46 . . . Eze.47 . . . Eze.48 . . . Eze. Millennial Temple . . . Eze.Special Comments . . . Eze.What is Shekinah Glory? . . . Home Page