(Proverbs 25:2) It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
(Revelation 21:24) By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,
As Paul says “in the Lord your work is not in vain.” And so Revelation 21 shows the ultimate purpose of joyous study of God’s world: “Kings shall bring their glory” into the city of God. In this context, kings includes all the baptized, who are “priests and kings” to God and Christ.
The word for “glory” is almost identical to the word for “weight”, and the two concepts are closely intertwined. The glory of God is that revelation whereby God makes Himself known as “weighty”, He who imprints Himself upon that and those who receive His self-declaration. When the Rock of Ages comes from Heaven, He smashes to dust all who stand against His reign. That is why it is associated here with “kings.” A king ought to be weighty. When he enters a room, people should naturally fall silent and await his word. When he speaks a word of counsel, all know not to regard it as merely another voice in the crowd: when the king gives counsel, those who receive it listen.
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