The first occurrence of this phrase in Isaiah 6:3 is found in Numbers

14, where Israel so signally failed to follow the Lord and triumph over the

'But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory

of the Lord' (Num. 14:21).

This initial

promise strikes the keynote.  The glory of the Lord and

the fulness of the

whole earth are connected with the overthrow of Satanic

opposition and the

full faith of His people.  This is seen in the seven

occurrences of the

expression 'the whole earth' already reviewed.

At the close of that prayer which looks forward to the kingdom of

Christ on earth, David said:

'Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous

things.  And blessed be His glorious name for ever: and let the whole

earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen' (Psa. 72:18,19).

Again, the triumphant twenty -fourth Psalm, which speaks of the entry

of the King of glory and the lifting up of the age -abiding doors, opens with

the statement: 'The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof' (Psa.

The subject is carried to its completion in the New Testament where the

fulness is seen expressed and realized in Christ.  It would take us too far

afield to examine these New Testament references now, but the reader is

directed to the article dealing with the Pleroma3.

In contrast therefore with the failing king Uzziah, Isaiah sees the

pledge of final fulness in the Christ of God.  There is a comparison also

between Isaiah himself, the nation, and Uzziah, for he too confesses

'I Saw Also the Lord' -- In the year that King Uzziah died.

'Also I Heard the Voice of the Lord' -- After Isaiah had confessed

This 'seeing' and 'hearing' is in direct contrast to the failure of

Israel which is manifested in verse 10.

'Then said I, Woe is me!' (Isa. 6:5).

The effect of the vision of the Lord upon the beholder has ever been

the same.  Job the 'perfect' man, said that if he could stand before the Lord

he would maintain his integrity, but when at last his wish was gratified, he

'I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth

Thee.  Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes' (Job

Daniel's comeliness turned to corruption in the presence of an angel

(Dan. 10:8); Peter besought the Lord to depart from him because he was a

sinful man (Luke 5:8); and John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, fell at His

feet as one dead, when he beheld His glory (Rev. 1:17).