For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased …” (2 Peter 1:17)

Hymn writer Jack Hayford captures it well: “Majesty, worship His majesty. Unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise.” The ultimate picture of God, a supreme epithet—God is “the Majestic Glory”!

The writer to the Hebrews conveys this ultimate sentiment as well:

“And [the Son] is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high …” (Heb 1:3)

Artists have rendered this with bright shining light coming from the throne of God Almighty. Lexicographers, those experts who study and lay out for us the meaning of words, define the term “majestic” as “inspiring awe or reverence in the beholder; it can be related to size, strength, power or authority.” Further elucidation of its meaning includes “magnificent, sublime, impressive, very wonderful.” Add that to the term “glory,” which means “brightness, splendor, radiance, greatness,” and we find it hard to imagine a more illustrious description of God.

Is it any wonder that Isaiah fell distraught before the Lord on His throne and cried out, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips…” (Is 6:1)? To be in the presence of the Majestic Glory as a mere mortal would be an overwhelming experience.

The disciples saw a preview of this at the Mount of Transfiguration, when “He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light” (Matt 17:2). Could it have been a flash of this Majestic Glory that overcame the arresting mob (a mix of Roman soldiers and religious leaders) in Gethsemane on the fateful night before Jesus died? The gospel writer describes their reaction to His self-identification: “[W]hen He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground” (John 18:6).

What does this mean for us? Christ has “taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Heb 8:1). God has “raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6). Now the “Majestic Glory” shares His pleasure with us believers, because we are seated with His “Beloved son,” with whom He is well-pleased.

Lord, in Your presence, I am not terrified but I bask in all Your majesty and glory. What a wonderful experience that will be to enjoy You for eternity!