God’s Glory is Coming to the Earth!
By Tom Shanklin
Recently, I heard the Lord say, “My glory is coming to the earth! For though you see great darkness, remember, I am greater than the darkness. And I shall arise upon my people, and my glory shall be seen in the earth. So tell My people to focus on Me and pray for the glory. Pray that my Spirit will be poured out on ALL flesh and my people shall prophesy.”
There may be tremendous turmoil on the earth. It may seem that Satan is winning the battle for the souls of men. There may be failures among God’s people, but one thing about it, God is going to have His way. His glory WILL fill the earth!
You see, God is not defeated by the problems in the earth. He is Almighty God, and nothing is impossible to Him. He sees the end from the beginning, and what He has decreed shall come to pass. Notice what He says in Isaiah:
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1-2, AV).
God’s Glory is Coming Upon You!
Yes, darkness will cover the earth. Now, we see it. There are great problems, wars, strife, and every kind of evil. It’s a reality … “BUT the Lord shall arise upon thee and His Glory shall be seen upon thee.”
God’s remedy for darkness is light. When He created the earth, there was darkness upon the face of the deep. The Holy Spirit was there in power. He did not set up a campaign against the darkness. He didn’t curse it and rebuke it. No, He said, “Let there be light!” and there was light.
You see, God has an answer for the darkness of this world. The answer is you! He says, “Arise shine for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”
Remember, Jesus said,
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, AV).
While Jesus was here physically, He was the light of the world. Now, it is our turn to carry the torch. Now, it’s time for us to do the works of Jesus. He has given us His glory! His light and His love are in us. That is why it is so important that we walk in the light, that the world may see the glory of God through us.
God expresses confidence that it will happen, saying, “His glory shall be seen upon thee.” Hallelujah! It’s going to happen. It’s going to come! God will fill the earth with His glory. (See Numbers 14:21 & Habakkuk 2:14)
We have seen it in a measure. God’s glory was manifested mightily in the early Church. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, Peter rose up and preached. He quoted from Joel:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:” (Acts 2:17-18, AV).
I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh! The result of that outpouring is chronicled in the remaining chapters of the book of Acts. They turned the world upside down. But I tell you, God is not done pouring out His Spirit upon the old and young. He is still speaking forth inspired utterances of the Holy Ghost through men and women and boys and girls. It’s not about our abilities, it’s about the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. It’s about signs and wonders in the name of Jesus.
These things did not cease after Acts 28. The book of Acts continues to be written. One such outpouring occurred among men and women of all races and cultures at a livery stable at Azuza Street in Los Angelos in the early 1900s, and we are still seeing the results of that outpouring today. Many have been born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, healed, and delivered as a result of the move of God that began in that place.
Glory on Entire Communities
There are many examples of outpourings that affected not only churches and congregations but entire communities, regions, and even nations have been transformed by the power of God. During the Welsh Revival, 100,000 people out of that small nation came to the Lord in just a few months.
The Hebrides Revival in Scotland in 1949-53 began when two women in their 80s (one blind and one crippled with arthritis) began to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The revival was marked by the conviction of sin, repentance, and a God-consciousness that extended not only into the churches but throughout the communities. People would awaken at night under the conviction of sin and go out of their houses looking for a prayer meeting. Young people would leave their parties and go out to find a church. Many came under conviction and were born again as God’s presence saturated their town.
And God is not done! He has saved the best for last. There will be a great move of God that will impact the entire world before the Lord comes back to set up His Kingdom. God said that He would pour out His Spirit on ALL flesh. In James, we are told:
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” (James 5:7, AV).
God is a farmer, and He is looking for a harvest of souls. He sent the early rain of the Holy Spirit to the early church just after Jesus died for our sins at Calvary, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. Now, 2,000 years later, it’s time for the latter rain. It’s time for a Holy Ghost gully washer to bring such a manifestation of God’s presence that it cannot be ignored. Multitudes will come into the Kingdom of God.
Unfortunately, not everyone will heed the call. Some will reject and even mock the move of God as they did on the day of Pentecost. And persecution will continue. But I tell you, God is not going to be outdone by the devil. Be encouraged! God’s glory is coming to the earth, and you and I are called to be part of it. It is time to pray for the glory. It’s time to pray for the outpouring. He says:
“For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:” (Isaiah 44:3, AV).
Oh, I tell you, I want that blessing on my offspring—both spiritual and natural. I am thirsty for a move of God that will change the atmosphere and bring healing to the land. I’m hungry for a move of God that will wash away the confusion and strife and bring the reality of Christ into the hearts of many. Send the rain, Lord! Bring forth your glory! Pour out your Spirit, just as you have promised, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
These are the Days of Greater Glory!