“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Under the old covenant, mankind was governed by law. The law led to condemnation and often separation and shame; for who could keep it? Through the life and death of Jesus, a new covenant was established—for he fulfilled the old one by paying the debt of sin with his very life. The new covenant is one where grace has been given freely as a doorway into intimate relationship with him, where we come into face-to-face communion with God. The veil of separation was torn, along with the veil of shame that darkened the countenance of mankind. The rule of sin that once presided over the lives of men and women is broken when this gift of grace is received and Jesus, our Messiah, is invited to dwell within us. What joy and freedom— and yes, liberty—for the person who is freed from the guilt and shame that darkens their face and separated them from their Creator. His Spirit now lives within them.
Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary says this about the liberty (freedom) spoken of in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18,
“…freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God’s commandments.”
Recently, during a time of worship, I saw a vision of many believers who were walking with half of their faces veiled by a dark shadow or shroud. When I saw this vision, I immediately heard the verses from 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 in my spirit. Then I saw that the enemy had been whispering lies of guilt, condemnation, and shame into the ears of believers that was causing a dark veil to come over their faces—darkening their countenance and separating them from the glorious face of the One who gave them liberty and paid the price for all their transgressions—never to be put upon them again.
The evil one loves to bring separation between God and his bride. We see that throughout the world in earthly marriages that so frequently allow corruption to enter their union, bringing separation and even divorce. Satan hates covenant, unity, and oneness; this is what we were created for. When we see his glory (his face) we are transformed. Each glance and every fixed gaze take us from glory to glory and we are made like him. Therefore, the enemy wants to block our gaze through shame and guilt so that we will hide our face in separation.
God is here now to remove the veil of darkness that has brought a shadow of separation. I see him blowing away the darkness so that you can once again, look upon his glorious face. If this is where we are to receive this “ever-increasing transformation” then it is the place that we must run to when lies, accusations or darkness comes. We will not be transformed behind a veil of shame but rather we are transformed when the veil is removed, and we behold his glory. The only veil that you are to receive is the bridal veil that Jesus lifts to draw you into covenant with him– it is pure and white.
Matthew Henry’s commentary goes on to say about these verses,
“This light and liberty are transforming; we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, from one degree of glorious grace unto another, till grace here be consummated in glory forever.”
“Consummated” is to be made complete or perfect—in the oneness of bridal intimacy. There are no veils worn when the bride and groom are together. He has come to remove the veil and reveal his glory to you—without shame—fully redeemed.
“Even so, come.”
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Inscribe Ministries
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