If we are to be like Jesus, then are we not to model ourselves on His example? For is this not why the Word (which represents the nature of God) made Himself flesh through Jesus? So that we could all grasp the way and truth and life of His nature through His example?

And of His example, is it not written that He “made Himself of NO REPUTATION, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient TO THE POINT OF DEATH, even the death of the cross”? Philippians‬ ‭2:7-8‬.

So if we are to be the exact representation of Jesus, and the radiance of His glory, are we not to likewise make ourselves of NO REPUTATION? So that in all that we are, and all that we do, that Jesus alone gets all the glory? Just like Jesus made Himself of no reputation so that His Father alone got all the glory? “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being (nature)” Hebrews 1:3. And is this not why we pray that HIS name be hallowed?

And is it not said that He humbled Himself “to the point of death”, EVEN the death of the Cross? Which is to die to self? Which is to die to having a reputation or needing the glory. So that HIS name may be hallowed, not ours. So that HIS kingdom may come, not ours. So that HIS will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Is this not what it means to humble oneself to the point of death? Is this not the example of what dying to self means?

And because Jesus made Himself of no reputation, does Philippians 2 then not continue in verse 9 to say that because He made Himself of no reputation, and because He humbled Himself to the point of death: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name”? Philippians‬ ‭2:9‬.

It is the nameless, faceless generation of sons and daughters who truly take on the nature of Jesus — which is to humble themselves to the point of death, which is to die to their own name, which is to die to fame, which is to die to glory, which is to die to all that is you, which is when the Word is made flesh in each of us — who, just as for Jesus, the Father will likewise exalt in due time. For is it not promised plainly in black and white: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time HE may exalt you.” 1 Peter 5:6. If we humble ourselves, is it not GOD Himself who will exalt us? Not ourselves? For is God a man that He should lie?

And where else do we see the pattern of this example? Is it not in Ezekiel 37? In Ezekiel 37, do we not read of the army of Israel that lay in a field as dead bones? And do the dead bones not represent all those who have died to self? Do the bones not represent all those who have humbled themselves under the mighty hand of Almighty God “unto the point of death”? And is it not these who God will in due time raise to life? Just like He raised His Son to life in due time who likewise died to self? Is it not this company of dead bones who God will raise up for Himself into the great army of God?

Only when we die to self will the power of the age-to-come anointing come upon us. It does not come upon a living person, but upon dead and dry bones. And is being one of those who are raised from death into resurrection life not one who has been exalted? And is being one of those called into the great end-time army of God not a matter of being exalted? Is it not a truly great and exceptional privilege to be part of the last days remnant?

And of His glory, what does He say? Does He not say that He will give His glory to no one? “I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not give My glory to another” Isaiah 42:8. For just like the moon has no light of its own, but merely reflects the glory of the sun, we merely reflect the glory of God, just like Moses‘ face did. The glory is His and His alone. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17.

And what does God say about stealing His glory for our own name and reputation? Do we not read in Matthew that Jesus Himself says: “Many will say to Me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:22-23.

Are these not those who did works in the name of God for their own gain? For financial gain? For their own names to be hallowed? For their own kingdom to come? For their own will to be done? Have they not stolen the glory of God for themselves? And of them being “workers of lawlessness”, is it not written that we fulfil all the law by doing this one thing - by loving our neighbour as ourselves? Galatians 5:14. And are those in Matthew 7:22-23 not workers of “lawlessness” as Matthew is referring to those who have not fulfilled the law since their primary motive is themselves rather than their neighbour, to love themselves more than their neighbour - either God in heaven or the neighbour on earth? The power of the age-to-come anointing will not be given to those who are full of themselves. But only to an empty, dead person.

And if we think that the glory of God is something to trifle with, we have this pointed example to meditate and reflect on: “When they came to the threshing floor of Nachon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.” 2 Samuel 6:6-7. Are those who have stolen the glory of God not those who have touched the glory of God?

For all those who store up for themselves treasures on earth, which includes the treasure of having a name and reputation on earth, the wisdom of God states clearly that these are all treasures that moth and rust will certainly destroy. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20.