God's glory is his presence or manifestation of His divine nature, majesty, and holiness. In the Bible, It is frequently associated with light, described as a radiant, brilliant, or dazzling presence.
Ex 24:
15 Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
Ezekiel described God's radiant glory in 1:
26 Above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 27 And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
God wears "light as with a garment" (Psalm 104:2).
At the Transfiguration, Jesus' face shone like the sun (Matthew 17:2).
The New Jerusalem will not need sun or moon because "the glory of God gives it light" (Re 21:23).
John explained the glorious light in 1:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John equated light with life. From the beginning, this light was the life of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The light of Jesus expels evil darkness.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
Jesus was the true light; no one else was.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
Believe in Jesus and receive the true light to live a life of righteousness.
14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus was the shekinah glory of the Father. He was the visible glory of God dwelling on earth.
John 8:
12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
Light symbolizes truth, righteousness, and the absence of sin.
1 John 1:
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all."
John emphasized God's absolute purity and moral perfection. God is the source of all that is good and true, and there is no deceit or evil in Him. As believers, we are called to walk in the light (v. 7).
Ep 5:
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.
In the OT, God's glory was often associated with light. John, in the NT, pointed this glorious light to Jesus. Now, believers bear this light in us to shine forth the goodness of Jesus.
