Introduction: I love the journey of Jesus! He went from GLORY to GLORY!! In other words, He left heaven’s glory and ascended back to heaven’s glory.

This devotional verse explains that unparalleled event. 

Notice the steps:

1. The first was His INCARNATION! (1Tim 3:16) – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Did you see the terms “God was manifest in the flesh”?

That refers to His divinity and His humanity. God in the flesh!

Jesus became a man – the God man. But why? So that He could live a life without sin. Something we could not do! And ultimately die in the place of our sins in order for us to be forgiven. 

2. Next was His JUSTIFICATION! (1Tim 3:16) – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

The word “justified” is δικαιόω,(dik-ah-yo’), which means to make righteous, or to defend the cause of, plead for the righteousness (innocence) of. It can mean to acquit, or to justify. Or simply put, it means regard as righteous.

3. Jesus’ ADMINISTRATION! (1Tim 3:16) – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Did you know that angels were ministering to Jesus from His birth until His ascension? Furthermore, angels will be with Him both at the rapture and His second coming. 

How is that going to be?

4. Jesus and SALVATION! (1Tim 3:16) – “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

The words “manifest” are to make visible. The word is φανερόω (fan-er-o’-o), which means to make visible, or to make clear; it can mean to make known.

Here Paul declares that Jesus Christ preached unto the gentiles who believed unto Him and were saved/forgiven. 

Conclusion: Finally, after describing Jesus’ incarnation, salvation, and manifestation, Paul declares His Revelation. 

Now we’ve gone from “glory to glory.”