The Canopy Of Glory Series

We see it again in the gospels on the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration. 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” (Luke 9:34-5).

It is a way of saying that God will be among his people. The phrase – over all the glory will be a canopy – speaks of the special relationship he will have with them. A canopy projects an image of a bridegroom and his bride standing under a wedding canopy. Jewish couples still stand under a canopy in a wedding service. Isaiah is indicating that a marriage is taking place. Listen again to the vision in Revelation 21:1-4:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Under this canopy, God’s people will dwell in safety and comfort. 6 It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

Lesson

Christians today like to know what they can get out of a Bible passage like this right now. I suppose I could talk about how God is our refuge from the storms of life; how we are called to be holy and should be living righteous lives now. But the message we are to receive is the same message Isaiah was giving to his people – place your hope on “that day.” That day of judgment and salvation will come. Then, and only then, will all wickedness be removed and we will dwell in comfort and security. Then, and only then, will the beauty and glory of the Lord be fully revealed.

The Unitarian church I pass by had this sermon title on its outside sign, “Heaven on Earth.” I don’t know what the sermon is really about, but we do need to get it in our heads somehow that heaven will never be on this earth. We will never make heaven on earth. Never. Joan Baez sang the song, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” making a slight but significant change in. She changed the line, “There’s a better home awaiting, in the sky, Lord, in the sky,” to “if we try, Lord, if we try.” We can try as much as we like, and we might make the world somewhat better, but we will never make heaven here.

Yes, Christians are “pie-in-the-sky” believers. It’s the best pie of all! And it is the hope of “that day” when our Lord Jesus returns, which gives us joy in the midst of our trials and drives us to live for his glory now. That day will come. And the canopy of glory will be established over us forever.