The expression “we beheld His glory” Jn.1.14, is truly remarkable and fills our minds and hearts with deep gratitude, wonder and worship. That this should ever be possible is the outworking of “His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself” Eph.1.9.

Historically, glimpses of Divine glory were occasional and intermittent. For example, “the God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham” Acts 7.2; “the glory of the Lord” Ex.16.7, was seen in connection with the giving of the manna; “the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” Ex.40.34; and later “the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house” 2Chr.7.2. With this in mind it is appropriate to recall that when Moses, in communion with the Lord, asked, “I beseech Thee, shew me Thy glory”, the Lord said, “I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: and I will take away Mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts: but My face shall not be seen” Ex.33.18,22,23. With reverential awe we observe: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him” Jn.1.18. How delightful to ponder the affirmation of the Lord Jesus: “he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” Jn.14.9.

Thou art the Everlasting Word,

The Father’s only Son,

God manifestly seen and heard,

And heaven’s beloved One.

In Thee, most perfectly expressed,

The Father’s glories shine,

Of the full Deity possessed,

Eternally Divine.

        (Josiah Conder)

The purpose of this latest publication, the sixteenth in the ‘Glory’ series, is to trace, in the Gospel of John, how the Lord Jesus is presented and viewed in His unsurpassed glory and dignity as the eternal Son of God in all the grace and beauty that He displayed as “the Word … made flesh” Jn.1.14. Our aim is to encourage believers of all ages, but especially those who are younger, to develop a deeper appreciation of and love for the Lord Jesus and in so doing become more like Him in every aspect of our lives, in a world where “He is despised and rejected of men” Isa.53.3.

Once again, the committee of “Assembly Testimony”¹ wishes to place on record our deep appreciation to each of the authors for his sacrificial willingness to contribute to this book. Undertaking such a task is costly in terms of time and endeavour, both to them and their loved ones, but how reassuring to remember that the Lord Himself takes note and He, as Lord of the harvest, will fully recompense in His unfailing way and time.

¹ ‘Assembly Testimony’ is a bi-monthly magazine which is available on request from: John Gordon, ‘Elhanan’, 25 The Rowans, Banbridge, Co Down, BT32 4DQ, N. Ireland.  His email address is: [email protected]

It must also be made clear that each author has written independently of the others as guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. Speaking of Him the Lord Jesus said, “He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shew it unto you” Jn.16.14. It also remains that the Word of God is the sole arbiter and is the benchmark against which all that is written in this book should be considered.

The committee also conveys appreciation to all who have toiled, without public recognition, to make this and other related publications available for the benefit of a widely-spread readership. Our thanks go to the diligent and devoted proof-readers, and all involved in the essential preparation and distribution work.

Above all, we are so thankful to our ever-faithful God for His goodness in facilitating this publication. Our one motivation is that He will be honoured and that His only Son, the primary focus of the book, will become increasingly precious to those who love and seek to serve Him. May our view and estimation of Him be enlarged as we represent Him in this dark world and as we await that moment when “we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” 1Jn.3.2.

Jack Palmer, N. Ireland, February 2025