From the Curse to the Crown: The Revelation of Redemption Through Thorns in the Bible
The Bible contains numerous references to thorns, briers, and thornbushes. In Hebrew and Greek, more than twenty different terms are used to describe various kinds of thorny plants, thistles, and briers.
Throughout Scripture, thorns frequently symbolize the curse of sin, desolation and divine judgment, worldly anxieties and spiritual hindrances, as well as God's presence and His redemptive work.
The following study examines the principal biblical passages concerning thorns, organized by theme, and explores their profound spiritual significance and their relationship to God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Part One: The Curse of Human Sin and the Corruption of the Earth
After humanity's first ancestors sinned, God pronounced a curse upon the ground. Thorns became a visible symbol of the consequences of sin, human suffering, and the hardships of life.
1. Genesis 3:17–18
“Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.”
2. Hebrews 6:8
“But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.”
Spiritual Significance
The Garden of Eden was originally a place of beauty, harmony, and fellowship with God. Yet humanity's rebellion against God disrupted this divine order.
The appearance of thorns and thistles symbolizes how human sin fractured the relationship between humanity and God and brought suffering into the created world.
Thorns remind us that rebellion against God brings hardship, pain, destruction, and sorrow into human existence.
The ground that once freely produced its abundance now brought forth thorns, reflecting the painful consequences of humanity's departure from the Creator.
Part Two: God Reveals Himself in the Burning Bush—His Compassionate Presence Amid Human Suffering
Although a thornbush is humble, prickly, and easily consumed by fire, God's glory appeared within a burning bush without destroying it.
This extraordinary revelation demonstrates God's holiness, His compassionate presence amid suffering, and His power to preserve those whom He calls.
1. Exodus 3:2–5
“And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”
2. Deuteronomy 33:16
“And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.”
3. Acts 7:30, 35
“And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.”
“This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.”
Spiritual Significance
The thornbush may be understood as a spiritual picture of suffering humanity.
It can symbolize the Israelites who endured oppression, humiliation, and suffering under Egyptian bondage. It can also remind us of every human being struggling under the burdens of sin, pain, and hardship.
The fire represents God's holiness and glorious presence.
Yet God did not consume the thornbush in the flames. Instead, He revealed Himself from within it.
This provides a profound spiritual illustration: God does not abandon His people in their suffering. He is present with them even in the midst of their afflictions.
God is not only the One who dwells in the highest heavens. He is also the God who revealed Himself from within the burning bush.
His holiness does not prevent Him from drawing near to suffering humanity. Rather, His love moves Him to reveal Himself, deliver His people, and lead them toward freedom.
Part Three: The Crown of Thorns Worn by Jesus and the Thorn in Paul's Flesh—Where Human Suffering Encounters Divine Grace
The climax of redemptive history is revealed in Jesus Christ, who willingly wore a crown of thorns, a powerful symbol of the suffering and curse brought about by human sin.
Likewise, the suffering experienced by the disciples of Jesus can become an occasion for experiencing God's sustaining grace through Christ's redemptive work.
1. The Ram Offered in Isaac's Place and the Crown of Thorns Worn by Christ
In the Old Testament, God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac.
Genesis 22:13
“And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.”
Before His crucifixion, Roman soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it upon Jesus' head to mock Him.
Matthew 27:29
“And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!”
Mark 15:17
“And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head.”
John 19:2, 5
“And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe.”
“Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!”
Spiritual Significance
Because of Adam's sin, the ground brought forth thorns and thistles. Yet Jesus Christ, the King of kings, willingly endured a crown made from the very thorns that can symbolize humanity's fallen condition.
The crown of thorns thus becomes a powerful picture of Christ bearing the suffering, shame, and curse associated with human sin.
The ram caught in the thicket and offered in Isaac's place may also be understood as a foreshadowing of Christ's substitutionary sacrifice, although Genesis does not explicitly identify the thicket itself as a prophecy of the crown of thorns.
Jesus, who was without sin, willingly endured humiliation and suffering for the salvation of humanity.
Through His sacrificial death, He bore the curse of sin so that those who receive His redemption might be reconciled to God and receive eternal life.
The thorns that first appeared in Genesis as a sign of the curse become, in the Passion of Christ, a profound symbol of the Redeemer's sacrificial love.
2. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh—A Revelation of Suffering and Grace
Paul used the expression “a thorn in the flesh” to describe an affliction permitted in his life.
The Greek word skolops refers to a sharp point, thorn, or stake.
2 Corinthians 12:7–9
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Spiritual Significance: The Contrast Between Christ's Crown of Thorns and Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
The crown of thorns worn by Jesus represents His willingness to bear the suffering and curse associated with humanity's sin.
Paul's thorn in the flesh represents the afflictions and weaknesses that even faithful servants of God may experience in this earthly life.
Paul's thorn was not presented as punishment for a particular sin. Instead, God permitted it to remain so that Paul would not become proud because of the extraordinary revelations he had received.
This affliction became an instrument through which Paul learned humility, dependence upon God, and the sufficiency of divine grace.
Because Jesus has accomplished the work of redemption, the suffering experienced by His disciples need not separate them from the love of God.
Instead, their weaknesses can become opportunities to experience the Lord's promise:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The crown of thorns reveals Christ's redeeming love, while Paul's thorn in the flesh reveals the sustaining grace of Christ in the lives of His disciples.
Part Four: The Parable of the Kingdom—The Cares of This World and the Deceitfulness of Riches
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus uses thorns to represent worldly concerns and desires that hinder the growth of God's Word and prevent spiritual fruitfulness.
1. Matthew 13:7, 22
“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them.”
“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
2. Mark 4:7, 18–19
“And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.”
“And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
3. Luke 8:7, 14
“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.”
“And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
Spiritual Significance
Worldly anxieties, greed, materialism, and selfish desires resemble tangled thorns that gradually choke the seed of God's Word.
A person may hear God's truth, yet become so consumed by worldly ambitions, financial concerns, and personal pleasures that the Word cannot produce mature spiritual fruit.
Jesus warns His disciples that spiritual life cannot flourish when the heart remains dominated by worldly desires.
We must therefore examine our hearts continually, remove the thorns of worldly attachment, and allow God's Word to take deep root within us.
Part Five: Spiritual Fruit and Discernment—A Corrupt Tree Cannot Produce Good Fruit
Jesus uses thornbushes to illustrate the relationship between a person's inner nature and the fruit produced by that person's life.
He particularly emphasizes the importance of discerning false prophets by their actions and spiritual fruit.
1. Matthew 7:16
“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”
2. Luke 6:44
“For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.”
Spiritual Significance
Just as thornbushes cannot naturally produce grapes or figs, a life governed by sin and rebellion against God cannot produce the genuine spiritual fruit that comes from abiding in Christ.
True spiritual transformation requires God's grace, the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, and a living relationship with Jesus Christ.
Outward religious appearances, eloquent teaching, or impressive achievements cannot replace genuine obedience to God's Word.
Jesus teaches that people are to be recognized by their fruit.
Therefore, the disciples of Jesus must discern truth from falsehood not merely through words, titles, religious authority, or outward appearances, but through lives that demonstrate obedience, righteousness, love, and faithfulness to God.
Part Six: Thorns as Symbols of Enemies, Snares, and Obstacles
Throughout Scripture, thorns frequently symbolize hostile opposition, the dangers of rebellion, and the snares created by sinful conduct.
1. Numbers 33:55
“But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.”
2. Joshua 23:13
“Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.”
3. Ezekiel 2:6
“And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.”
4. Ezekiel 28:24
“And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”
5. Proverbs 22:5
“Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.”
6. Proverbs 15:19
“The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.”
7. Proverbs 26:9
“As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.”
Spiritual Significance
Sin and rebellion that are permitted to remain in one's life can become persistent sources of pain and spiritual danger.
The path of disobedience is filled with obstacles, traps, and suffering.
God's warnings remind His people that they must not tolerate sin or allow worldly influences to draw them away from His commandments.
A life of righteousness, vigilance, and obedience to God's Word is the path of spiritual protection.
The disciples of Jesus must therefore resist temptation, reject evil, and remain faithful to the Lord.
Part Seven: Thorns as Symbols of Desolation, Judgment, and Destruction
When cities, nations, or lands experience divine judgment, once-prosperous places are often described as becoming overgrown with thorns and briers.
Such imagery represents abandonment, devastation, and the consequences of rebellion against God.
1. Isaiah 5:6
“And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.”
2. Isaiah 7:23–25
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns.
With arrows and with bows shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.”
3. Isaiah 9:18
“For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.”
4. Isaiah 10:17
“And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.”
5. Isaiah 32:13
“Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city.”
6. Isaiah 34:13
“And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.”
7. Hosea 9:6
“For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.”
8. Hosea 10:8
“The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.”
9. Jeremiah 4:3
“For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.”
10. Psalm 58:9
“Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.”
Spiritual Significance
Sin ultimately brings people under the righteous judgment of God.When nations abandon God's commandments and persist in wickedness, the prosperity they once enjoyed may give way to destruction and desolation.
Cities that once flourished become ruins, and places of worship that once appeared glorious become overgrown with thorns.
These images remind us that material prosperity, political power, and outward religious splendor cannot protect a people who persistently reject God's truth.
God's holiness and justice cannot be disregarded. The disciples of Jesus must therefore remain watchful, repent of sin, and faithfully obey God's Word.
Part Eight: Thorns in Biblical Parables and Historical Illustrations—Symbols of Foolishness and Arrogant Power
1. Judges 9:14–15
“Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.”
2. 2 Kings 14:9 and 2 Chronicles 25:18
“And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.”
Spiritual Significance
In these biblical illustrations, the thornbush or thistle symbolizes arrogance, weakness disguised as power, and destructive leadership.
The bramble offers its shade as though it were a mighty tree, yet it possesses neither the strength nor the majesty of the cedars of Lebanon.
Likewise, the thistle that arrogantly seeks equality with the cedar is easily trampled by a passing wild animal.
These images warn against pride, self-exaltation, and the misuse of authority.
Human power that is not grounded in righteousness and humility may become destructive and ultimately fall under judgment.
True greatness does not come from arrogance, political influence, or outward authority, but from humility before God and faithful obedience to His will.
Part Nine: God's Restoration and Redemption—Thorns Replaced by Trees of Life and Beauty
God promises that when His salvation and restoration come, the thorns and briers associated with desolation and suffering will be replaced by flourishing vegetation.
Isaiah 55:13
“Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Spiritual Significance
The thornbush, which symbolizes pain, desolation, and the consequences of sin, is replaced by a flourishing tree.
The brier, which represents suffering and barrenness, gives way to the beautiful and fragrant myrtle.
This transformation provides a powerful picture of God's redemptive work.
Through Jesus Christ, God calls people out of sin and spiritual desolation into a renewed life of righteousness, peace, and hope.
Those who abide in Christ are invited to experience the transforming power of God's grace.
The barren ground of the human heart can become fruitful through the work of the Holy Spirit.
What was once marked by rebellion can become a testimony of obedience. What was once dominated by despair can become a life filled with hope.
God's promise of restoration points toward the ultimate renewal of His creation and the everlasting glory of His kingdom.
Part Ten: The call to return to God
Throughout Scripture, God's Word reveals His eternal truth through the recurring imagery of thorns.
The existence of thorns carries profound spiritual significance, revealing God's righteousness, His warnings against sin, His compassionate presence amid suffering, and His magnificent plan of redemption.
Thorns are not merely sharp plants found in nature. In the biblical narrative, they become spiritual reminders through which God warns, teaches, disciplines, and calls humanity to receive His salvation.
1. Thorns Remind Us of the Sin of Rebellion Against God and Its Consequences
Thorns first appear in Genesis after humanity's first ancestors rebelled against God.
As a consequence of sin, the ground was cursed and began to produce thorns and thistles.
The first spiritual lesson of thorns is therefore to remind us of the seriousness of rebellion against God and the suffering and desolation that sin brings.
They warn us that when humanity turns away from the Creator, the source of life and light, the path of life becomes filled with hardship, pain, and sorrow.
2. Thorns Remind Us Not to Become Entangled in the World but to Return to God
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus explains that thorns represent the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things.
Through this teaching, God warns us not to allow worldly values, anxieties, and desires to dominate our hearts and choke His Word.
We must continually examine our spiritual condition and ask God to remove the thorns that hinder our relationship with Him.
Our hearts must once again become fertile ground in which God's Word can take root, grow, and produce abundant fruit.
3. Thorns Remind Us of God's Deep Compassion and Care Amid Human Suffering
God does not abandon humanity to suffer helplessly among the thorns.
In the burning bush that Moses witnessed, God revealed Himself as the One who dwelt in the midst of the bush.
Although the bush was engulfed in flames, it was not consumed.
This extraordinary revelation reminds us of God's presence, compassion, and sustaining power amid suffering.
No matter how difficult our circumstances may become, God's love and protection remain with those who trust in Him.
He is able to preserve His people and guide them through their trials.
4. Thorns Remind Us That God Gave His Beloved Son to Bear the Curse of Sin
The most profound revelation associated with thorns is seen in the suffering of Jesus Christ at Calvary.
God, in His immeasurable love, gave His only begotten Son to bear the sins and curse of humanity.
The innocent Lord Jesus willingly wore a painful crown of thorns.
This crown symbolizes His willingness to bear the shame, suffering, and curse brought about by human rebellion against God.
He endured humiliation, suffering, and death so that humanity might receive forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the gift of eternal life.
5. Thorns Remind Us to Humbly Receive the Redemption of Jesus Christ
Because Jesus has already worn the crown of thorns and shed His precious blood for our redemption, we cannot obtain salvation through our own righteousness or worldly wisdom.
Thorns expose humanity's weakness, sinfulness, and inability to save itself.
They remind us to abandon pride, open our hearts before God, and receive the precious redemption offered through Jesus Christ by faith.
Through Him, our sins may be forgiven, our relationship with God restored, and our lives renewed by His grace.
6. Thorns Remind Us to Follow Jesus Christ, Who Wore the Crown of Thorns
Redemption is not merely a momentary decision; it calls us into a lifelong journey of faithfully following Jesus.
The Lord whom we follow is the One who wore the crown of thorns and willingly endured the suffering of the cross.
When we encounter persistent afflictions—the thorns that cannot easily be removed from our lives—we must not lose heart.
The Lord has promised:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
We must willingly take up our own cross, learn obedience through suffering, depend upon God's grace, and faithfully follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
7. Thorns Remind Us to Follow Jesus on the Path to the Kingdom of Heaven and Eternal Life
The biblical story of thorns does not end in despair.
It points toward God's glorious promise of restoration.
God declares that the fir tree shall replace the thornbush and the myrtle shall replace the brier.
Through this promise, God calls us to recognize the emptiness of worldly pursuits and to follow Jesus Christ wholeheartedly.
We must walk the path that leads beyond worldly entanglements and toward the kingdom of heaven and eternal life.
Through His redemptive grace, God is able to transform the pain and suffering of our lives into testimonies of His glory.
The crown of thorns ultimately directs our attention toward the everlasting crown of life promised to those who remain faithful to Him.
The Spiritual Revelation We Receive from Thorns
When we consider the curse and suffering associated with thorns, together with the immeasurable redemption God has provided through Jesus Christ, we must never take His grace and salvation lightly.
Neither should we continue to allow ourselves to become entangled in the cares, temptations, and desires of this world.
To respond faithfully to God's grace and His warnings, we must embrace the following spiritual commitments.
1. Fear God
We must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, reverently acknowledging His holiness, righteousness, authority, and power.
To fear God is to recognize that His Word is supreme and that every person is accountable to Him.
2. Repent and Return to God
We must turn away from rebellion, sin, and unrighteousness, and return to God with all our hearts and souls.
True repentance requires more than words. It involves a genuine turning away from evil and a wholehearted commitment to God's will.
3. Obey the Commandments of Jesus
We must no longer follow our selfish desires or allow worldly culture to determine our values.
Instead, we must love Jesus and obey His teachings with all our hearts and souls.
As Jesus declared in John 14:15:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
4. Abide in Christ
Just as branches remain connected to the vine, we must continually abide in Jesus Christ.
We must depend upon His grace, receive His life, and allow His love to sustain us through every hardship and affliction.
As Jesus teaches in John 15:5:
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
5. Give Thanks to God and Praise Him
We must offer unceasing thanksgiving for God's compassion revealed in the burning bush and for the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ upon the cross.
With our hearts and voices, we must praise the Lord for His love, His victory over sin and death, and His glorious power to overcome suffering.
6. Serve God and Glorify His Name
We must present ourselves as living sacrifices to God.
Through our daily lives, ministries, and service to others, we must demonstrate the love of Christ.
May every affliction we endure become an opportunity to testify to God's grace, faithfulness, and glory.
7. Follow Christ on the Path to the Kingdom of Heaven and Eternal Life
We must willingly follow the Savior who wore the crown of thorns.
We must take up our own cross, remain steadfast in faith, obey His commandments, and continue faithfully on the path God has prepared for His children.
Our ultimate hope is not found in the temporary pleasures or achievements of this world, but in the eternal life promised through Jesus Christ.
Final Exhortation: From the Thorns of the Curse to the Crown of Eternal Life
The revelation of thorns throughout Scripture leads us to a profound understanding of God's plan of redemption.
In Genesis, thorns appear as a consequence of humanity's rebellion against God.
In Exodus, God reveals His holy presence from within a burning bush that is not consumed.
In the Gospels, Jesus Christ willingly wears a crown of thorns, bearing humiliation and suffering for the redemption of humanity.
In Paul's testimony, the thorn in the flesh becomes an occasion for experiencing the sufficiency of God's grace.
And in Isaiah's prophecy, the thornbush is replaced by a flourishing tree, revealing God's promise of restoration and renewal.
Thus, the biblical imagery of thorns traces a remarkable spiritual journey:
From sin to repentance, from the curse to redemption, from suffering to grace, from spiritual barrenness to abundant life, and from the crown of thorns to the everlasting crown of life.
May we all respond to the Lord's calling, turn away from the entanglements of this world, receive the redemption of Jesus Christ, and faithfully obey His Word.
May we love God with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our minds; seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; abide continually in Christ; and faithfully do the will of our heavenly Father.
May we willingly take up our own cross and follow Jesus Christ on the path that leads to the kingdom of heaven and eternal life.
May the Lord, who wore the crown of thorns for our redemption, lead us beyond the suffering and bondage of sin into the everlasting glory of His kingdom.
Amen!
