In the following three verses if we look at the words in bold type we see what Moses asked the LORD to show him.

• Exodus 34:5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
• Vs 6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
• Vs 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

 Moses asked the LORD to show him HIS Glory. The LORD passed before Moses and declared HIS name, HIS nature and character,

•  who HE is,
•  what HE is like,
•  what HE does and
•  why HE does it.

 Now we come to those of us who have received Jesus as LORD and we hear the Apostle Peter say:

•  2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
•  Vs 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
•  Vs 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

We have received Jesus as LORD but have also received all things that pertain to life and godliness.

We have received all that it takes to live in this earth in a way that demonstrates the abundant life and the godliness of our Father. We have HIS DNA in us but we have not fully seen how it is to be brought to the forefront of our lives.

We truly are partakers of HIS divine nature; our problems come in demonstrating that in our daily lives.

2Corinthian 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.

2Corinthian 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the “glory of God” in the face of Jesus Christ.

 Just as God Almighty created the heavens and the earth and said, “let there be Light” or caused “Light to shine out of darkness” so has HE done this in our lives when we received Jesus as LORD and were born again.

When we look into the written word which is the “mirror” we should see that the LORD has shone in our hearts to allow us to see the glory of God in ourselves.

If we don’t believe it and see it why should anyone else?

What is this Glory? It is what we read in Ex.34:6-7; HIS DNA, his nature and character.

It is in us in seed form and has to grow and become all that Father intends to be in our lives.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

We have believed and received but now we must become. The seed of the Word is us but we must allow what is in us to be worked out in our daily lives.

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

We have the hope of glory in us. Not just the hope of going to heaven but the hope of our Fathers DNA being worked out in our daily lives; demonstrated in our words, deeds, attitudes and what we allow to motivate us.

What we need to understand now is:

What is it that will bring about a release of this “glory” or the DNA, the nature of our Father in us?

Could it be holding fast during the trials, the enduring of tribulations with the sure knowledge that HE is conforming us to the Image of Christ?

• 2Corinthian 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
• Vs 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 If what Apostle Paul says in the above verses means anything then I believe that in the pressures of life, the problems and circumstances that we find ourselves in, are what the LORD works in to bring about the conforming of our lives to the image of Jesus.

He is also saying to us to not focus on what we see or feel is the pressure or the problem. The pressures are a temporary thing; it is seen or felt. What we should focus on is that which is eternal and unseen; the DNA; the nature and character of our Father and HIS glory that is in us but not seen yet.

Through the tests, trials and troubles HIS glory comes forth in our lives as Light.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

FATHER is intent on having many sons and they are all to be conformed to the image of the First-Born.

Hebrews 2:10  For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

• Hebrews 5:7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,
• Vs 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
• Vs 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

If we will, with an open heart, read the above verses in the epistle to the Hebrews we see that our LORD, HIMSELF was made perfect (complete or mature) by the things that he suffered.

Let’s look at the word suffer to see the full meaning of it according to Strong’s Concordance:

Strong’s #3804, path’-ay-mah ; something undergone, i.e. hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence:– affection, affliction, motion, suffering.

The suffering is not sickness or having a broken leg. It is the circumstances of life in a fallen world; the pressures, disappointments, problems, misuse or hurts that we face and endure.

If Jesus was made complete and learned obedience through the things that HE suffered then why would we think that the divine nature of our Father could be worked out in us in any other way?

Is the scripture telling us that Jesus was not obedient or that HE was not the mature Son of God?

I think that the answer is this:

The Eternal Son who came from heaven into the womb of Mary was perfect; mature in HIS Divine nature. When HE came into a body which HE had never had before HIS body had to learn obedience; HIS body had to be made mature or complete by being exposed to the tests, trials and troubles of this present evil world.

These were some things that HE had never faced before.

Hebrews 10:5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.

Psalms 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

If Jesus was matured or brought to completion through suffering how much more would it be that way with us.

• Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
• Vs 17 and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
• Vs 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The suffering is not about going to heaven.  It is about becoming in this present evil world; in this time a son conformed to the image of our LORD.

The glory revealed in us is the nature and character of our Father. It is being like HIM in the circumstance and situations that we find ourselves in.

Jesus, along with Apostles Paul and Peter, did tell them (and us) that we would suffer tribulation:

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

• 2Corinthian 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 
• Vs 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
• Vs 7 ¶ And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

o 1Thessalonian 3:3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

o Vs 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God

• Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
• Vs 17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 2Corinthians 6:4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,

• 2Thessalonian 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
• Vs 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,
• Vs 5 ¶ which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

 2Timothy 2:12 If we endure (suffer), We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

 2Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps

 1Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

• 1Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
• Vs 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.

1Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

The bottom line is that the LORD will make us perfect (mature complete), establish us, strengthen us and settle us in HIS image that we might cause men to see God in our lives.

The verse and explanation that follows will help us to understand what the suffering is all about and why.

Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

We have been told that verse means if we are not holy we will not see the LORD or go to heaven.

The above statement is a religious interpretation of the verse.

Let’s look at it this way and see if maybe it would fit. If we are conformed to the image of our Father so that HIS holiness or godliness is manifested in our life, then men can see God.

The natural man cannot see God.  He can see what HE does in me and in you.

• Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
• Vs 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

o James 1:2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

o Vs 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

o Vs 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Now we understand why Apostle Paul, James and Peter could rejoice and glory in tribulations counting it all joy in temptations.

It was because the glory of our Father, HIS DNA, HIS nature and character was being worked into and shining out of their lives.

So it is with us that the suffering of the heat, the enduring of the pressure, the tests and trials of this life are what our FATHER works in to reveal HIS glory in us and through us.

This is what James is speaking of in the following verses. It seems to me that when James speaks of the crown of life that he could be speaking of the Life of God being made manifest in us here and now.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Definition of temptation according to Strong’s Concordance:

3986 peirasmos; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:–temptation, X try.

The LORD’s purpose is for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus so that HE might be the first born among many brethren. Why, then, would HE want that to be done in heaven and not here on this earth?

It seems to me that the crown of life is the glory of God being made manifest in the earth today through HIS many sons.