When I think of glory I think of the fullness and purity of all that God is. In Exodus 33:18, Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” God’s response was that he would let his goodness pass by and proclaim his name. (Ex.. 33:19) The account of that actually happening is in Exodus 34:5-7. I believe this was God revealing a small amount of His glory because Moses would have been destroyed if the fullness of it had passed by.
On the Mount of Transfiguration the three disciples got a glimpse of the glory of God that was revealed from within Jesus Christ. On Mt. of Transfiguration Jesus was allowed let that glory that was within Him, cloaked in human flesh, be seen when He stood there before His disciples. (Mt. 17:1-2)
Both Paul and Peter speak in their epistles about the glory of God. They seem to indicate that as we spiritually “grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18) we will be partakers of more and more of His glory.
As we gaze upon the Lord within His written Word and as we meditate upon Him, we can be changed to become more like Him, if we allow the Word and His character to be worked into our lives. As a result we will reflect the same glory that is in Him.
2 Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Another way in which the glory of God is worked into our lives is through suffering. If we respond appropriately to suffering we will be changed more into the likeness of our Lord by it.
2 Cor. 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
On this earth we don’t see the His glory within Christians. Some people do have a glow about them and the character of Christ is manifested in how they live their lives. But the fullness of the glory of God within will be manifested later. Just like when Jesus walked the earth, the glory within Him was not revealed except on the Mt. of Transfiguration. But when we are clothed in our glorified bodies, the glory will be revealed. I believe that is probably what Peter is referring when when he speaks of becoming "partaker of the glory that shall be revealed" (1 Peter 5:1).
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