You asked some great questions for discussion Carrie!

Exploring this together I would like to read your thoughts as well. As I tired thinking this through while going back to the text it gave more for consideration. The concept is that this is path to perfection where one builds on the next. But as I write that it also introduced a cyclical effect where once we "achieve" love we continue to grow further by starting back at beginning and going through the process again. As I laid in bed last night thinking about this an analogy came to mind, so let me try putting this into words.

Picture a spiral staircase that's going around and around as it heads ever higher. But in this example we have (4) directions that you can face (north, south, east, west) as you go around. Let's say that when you start the climb you begin by facing north. When you climb the spiral staircase and go around once you will find yourself again facing north, but you are at a higher level as you start around again! Now let's apply this to the concept of the (3) glories. In our path to perfection we must go through the cycle to reach the next higher glory, then go through the cycle again to reach the Celestial. Anyway, it's just an analogy given for something to consider.

Now is it possible to jump one step on this staircase or take two at one time? I guess it's possible but would be difficult. The reality is the foundations necessary to complete our process of perfection, or to continually develop ourselves to be like Jesus. He is complete perfection and calls us to be like him. So then we can always have our source of help by our side and the example for what we are striving to become always within our sight. I guess it's much easier climbing a mountain, enduring all the hardships and trials when we can continually keep the summit in our sight!

Just pondering... image

In Christ I Serve,

Steve image