“But he, being filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
Knowing that the words he said by the Holy Spirit cut to the hearts of the judges ignited a burning hatred towards him, and that he was to be stoned, his eyes went up to he heavens, recognizing his soon to be home. Stephen’s natural fear was probably swelling within his flesh and he imagined the pain he was about to endure, “But he,” despite those things, saw “the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Oh what a desirable and glorious end to a life abounded by the Spirit and faith!
What we see here is that Stephen didn’t collapse under the fear of man for He knew in his heart that the Lord was his Shepherd, nor did he fear death for His Savior has conquered the beast, therefore now he’s not about to walk through the valley of death, but he will walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Therefore not only does he fear no evil, but he beholds the splendor and majesty of the glory of the triune God in heaven. Not only that, but the sees His Savior interceding on his behalf at the right hand of the Father. Imagine what the Son was speaking about His younger adopted brother: “See Stephen over there Father? He’s My disciple, I’ve died for His sin. Show Him the glory in which We’ve shared before the foundations of the world. Guide Stephen to forgive his adversaries, and lets wait and look at what We’re going to do with that man Saul after Stephen does this!”
Application: Though the world might hate me, persecute me for my faith, I can rest on the knowledge that my Lord and God is not only interceding for me to endure and to forgive, but I may get inspiration from God’s glory even in my moments of crisis in my flesh. I can pray and worship and remember the cross and what has been bought by Him for both His name sake and my eternal life’s sake. He may even give me a glimpse of heaven before I receive my last breath!
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