The visible glory of God given to His Son
- And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
- And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
- And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
- And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
- And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
The divinity of Christ was as a hidden treasure. At times when he was upon earth, divinity flashed through humanity, and his true character was revealed. The God of heaven testified to his oneness with his Son. At his baptism the heavens were opened, and the glory of God in the similitude of a dove like burnished gold hovered over the Saviour… {EGW; YI August 22, 1895, par. 3}
What was visible at Christ's baptism?
It wasn’t a real dove, rather it was a visible manifestation of the glory of God, in the similitude of a dove
Never before have the angels listened to such a prayer. They are eager to bear to their loved Commander a message of assurance and comfort. But no; the Father Himself will answer the petition of His Son. Direct from the throne issue the beams of His glory. The heavens are opened, and upon the Saviour’s head descends a dovelike form of purest light,—fit emblem of Him, the meek and lowly One. {EGW; DA 112.1; 18989}
Of the vast throng at the Jordan, few except John discerned the heavenly vision. Yet the solemnity of the divine Presence rested upon the assembly. The people stood silently gazing upon Christ. His form was bathed in the light that ever surrounds the throne of God. His upturned face was glorified as they had never before seen the face of man. From the open heavens a voice was heard saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” {EGW; DA 112.2; 1898}
Compare the quote from the Desire of Ages to the Spirit of Prophecy vol.2:
Never before had angels listened to such a prayer as Christ offered at his baptism, and they were solicitous to be the bearers of the message from the Father to his Son. But, no; direct from the Father issues the light of his glory. The heavens were opened, and beams of glory rested upon the Son of God, and assumed the form of a dove, in appearance like burnished gold. The dove-like form was emblematical of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. While the people stood spell-bound with amazement, their eyes fastened upon Christ, from the opening heavens came these words: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The words of confirmation that Christ is the Son of God was given to inspire faith in those who witnessed the scene, and to sustain the Son of God in his arduous work. Notwithstanding the Son of God was clothed with humanity, yet Jehovah, with his own voice, assures him of his sonship with the Eternal. In this manifestation to his Son, God accepts humanity as exalted through the excellence of his beloved Son. {EGW; 2SP 60.2; 1877}
Also, compare it with the Youth Instructor:
Never had angels listened to such a prayer. They were solicitous to bear to the praying Redeemer messages of assurance and love. But no; the Father himself will minister to his Son. Direct from the throne proceeded the light of the glory of God. The heavens were opened, and beams of light and glory proceeded therefrom and assumed the form of a dove, in appearance like burnished gold. The dove-like form was emblematical of the meekness and gentleness of Christ. {EGW; YI March 1, 1874, par. 4}
Examining the quotations, we see that the dove was actually:
- beams of the glory of the Father which surrounds His throne
- the purest light
- the light of the glory of God, proceeded from the throne in appearance like burnished gold, assumed the form of a dove
This is the very depiction of the Holy Spirit:
At Christ’s baptism the glory of God rested upon Him, as a dove of burnished gold. Light from the throne of God encircled Him, while from heaven were heard the words, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” {EGW; ST December 3, 1902, par. 2}
And from the Father comes the representation of a dove of burnished gold, which is the Holy Spirit of God, and settles and enshrouds Christ… {EGW; 8LtMs, Ms 17, 1893, par. 7}
From the given description what can we learn about the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the glory of God. When it took the form, it was visible manifestation of the glory which surrounds the throne of God.
At Christ’s baptism the glory of God rested upon Him, as a dove of burnished gold. Light from the throne of God encircled Him, while from heaven were heard the words, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” {EGW; ST December 3, 1902, par. 2}
While he was praying, the heavens opened, and the glory of God, in the form of a dove of burnished gold, rested upon him, and from the highest heaven was heard the voice of the infinite One, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” {EGW; GCB April 4, 1901, Art. A, par. 15}
The glory of God descended upon him in the form of a dove like burnished gold, and the voice of the infinite One declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” {EGW; RH February 13, 1900, par. 14}
The heavens were opened, and the glory of God symbolized by a dove of burnished gold encircled the Son of God, and from the highest heaven were heard the words, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” {EGW; 9LtMs, Ms 86, 1894, par. 9}
The bright glory of God in the form of a dove of burnished gold encircled him… {EGW; ST January 20, 1890, par. 4}
As Christ bowed upon Jordan’s banks after His baptism, there was a bright light that descended like a dove of burnished gold and lighted upon Him, and from heaven was heard a voice, saying, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” {EGW; 4LtMs, Ms 16, 1886, par. 3}
The Father Himself answered the petition of His Son. Direct from the throne issued the beams of His glory. The heavens were opened, and upon the Saviour’s head descended a dove of burnished gold—fit emblem of Him, the meek and lowly One. A heavenly light encircled the Son of man; and from the highest heaven was heard the words, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” {EGW-st; 17LtMs, Ms 155, 1902, par. 35}
The heavens were opened to his prayer and the light of God’s glory, brighter than the sun at noonday, came from the throne of the Eternal, and, assuming the form of a dove with the appearance of burnished gold, encircled the Son of God, while the clear voice from the excellent glory was heard in terrible majesty, saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” {EGW; ST August 7, 1879, par. 7}
What is the meaning behind Christ’s glorification at His baptism for us personaly?
The glory of God in the form of a dove of burnished gold, rested upon him, and from the infinite glory was heard the words, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” To each of us this means that heaven is opened for us. The human race is encircled by the human arm of Christ, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite One. The gates are ajar. The glory is imparted to the Son of God is for all who believe in His name. Our petitions will be heard in heaven and answered, as surely as God answered the petition of His Son, our Substitute and Surety. {EGW; EA 107.9; 1891}
Jesus is seeking to impress upon them the thought that in giving his Holy Spirit he is giving to them the glory which the Father has given him, that he and his people may be one in God. {EGW; ST October 3, 1892, par. 4}
