Nate and Ryker in their new city of residence, Sofia, Bulgaria

The Mirror
2 Corinthians 3 

The last verse of this chapter (verse 18) provides a climatic conclusion and summary of the glorious results of the New Covenant.  

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord the Spirit.”  

• Let’s break it down. ‘But we all…’ this work of the Spirit in the new covenant is for all of us. It’s not just for prophets, apostles, priests, etc. The glorious benefits are for all of us.  
• Next phrase: ‘with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord…’ Earlier in the chapter, Paul states that most of the Jews have a veil over their hearts that limits their understanding of the New Covenant. They didn’t understand that the glory reflected on Moses’ face upon returning from his encounter with God on Mt. Sinai was a sign of what was to come to them in the New Covenant. About this,  verse 14 says, “But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the Old Covenant the same veil remains un-lifted, because it is (only) removed in Christ.”  In contrast, those of us in Christ have our veils lifted so that we can now see (and understand) the reflection of the Lord’s glory. So with an unveiled face, we behold as in a mirror the glory of God? We don’t have a direct view now (but some day we will see Him face-to-face), but we see through a mirror the reflections of the glory of God.  

So, give me that mirror! Where is it? What is the mirror?  

Certainly, we can catch glimpses of Gods glory in the beauty of nature. There are stunning, majestic pictures of God’s glory in a sunset, the view from a high mountain top, etc. We can see the blessings of God and have a taste of His glory. The beauty of nature is like a mirror that reflects the glory of God. Theologians call this the general revelation of God.  

Is there a mirror that reflect more? 

Undoubtedly, the mirror that most clearly and fully reveals God’s glory, along with His attributes, His story, His purpose and plans, is the Bible, Gods Word. The context indicates this to be true when verse 15 says, “But to this day when Moses is read (Scripture), a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” When we look into the scriptures without the obstruction of a veil, we see the reflection of His glory and verse 18 says it will transform us into the image of the Lord. The Bible is a mirror that reflects the Glory of God but it is a mirror. The fullness of the glory of God is waiting for us to behold in heaven. But for now, we have the beauty of nature to reflect God’s glory indeed. But the Bible gives details and the morst important detail is the good news of how we can know Jesus, our Savior. 

You have what you need 

This is why I give much time and detail to the Word. The New Testament reveals the glories of the New Covenant and fulfills the Old Covenant. The Bible doesn’t tell us EVERYTHING about God but the apostle Peter says it gives us EVERYTHING WE NEED pertaining to life and godliness. Someday we will see Him face to face and we will know Him fully as we are now known fully by Him. Lord, thank you for not being silent. Your revelation gives us all we need. May we devote ourselves to it and behold your glory. Amen!