Can humans see God?

The question of whether humans can see God is one that has intrigued theologians, philosophers, and believers for centuries. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous references to encounters with God, from direct communication to indirect manifestations of His presence. However, there are also clear assertions that God’s full and unmediated presence is not something that can be directly experienced by human beings. This article explores what the Bible says about seeing God, the nature of God’s presence, and the implications of these teachings for believers today.

The Nature of God’s Glory

One of the central reasons humans cannot see God in His full glory is His overwhelming holiness and majesty. The Bible consistently describes God as a being whose very nature is beyond human comprehension and whose glory is too great for any mortal to behold without perishing. In Exodus 33:18-20, Moses asks God to show him His glory, but God responds by saying that no one can see His face and live.

Exodus 33:18-20 (NKJV):
“And he said, ‘Please, show me Your glory.’ Then He said, ‘I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But He said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me and live.'”

God’s glory is so pure, radiant, and perfect that no human can endure the direct experience of it. His holiness would consume anyone who tried to stand before Him without being protected or veiled. In this sense, the question of whether humans can see God is not just about physical vision but also about the limitations of human beings in the face of divine purity and majesty.

God’s Manifestations and Human Encounters

While it is clear that no one can see God in His fullness, the Bible also records numerous encounters with manifestations of God that people could see. These manifestations are not the full revelation of God’s glory but are ways in which God has chosen to reveal Himself to humanity in a manner that is comprehensible and survivable.

Theophanies in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, there are several instances of God appearing in a visible form to humans, often referred to as “theophanies.” These are temporary and partial revelations of God’s presence, meant to communicate something of His nature or will. One of the most well-known examples is the burning bush that appeared to Moses in Exodus 3. While God spoke to Moses from within the bush, it was clear that Moses was not seeing God in His full glory but rather in a form that allowed him to survive the encounter.

Exodus 3:2-6 (NKJV):
“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.’ So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.'”

This encounter illustrates how God can reveal Himself in ways that humans can comprehend, but it also highlights the sacredness of His presence. God told Moses to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground, signaling the need for reverence and respect when coming into God’s presence.

The Cloud and Fire in the Wilderness

During the Exodus, God led the Israelites through the wilderness in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. These were visible signs of God’s presence with His people, though they were not direct revelations of His full glory. They served as a guide for the Israelites, leading them and protecting them as they journeyed to the Promised Land.

Exodus 13:21-22 (NKJV):
“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.”

These manifestations were not only signs of God’s direction but also reminders of His constant presence with His people. However, as with other theophanies, the Israelites were not seeing God in His full essence but were encountering representations of His guidance and protection.

God Appears in the Form of a Man

In certain instances in the Old Testament, God appears in the form of a man, though these appearances are generally understood to be pre-incarnate manifestations of Christ, often referred to as the “Angel of the Lord.” One of the most notable examples of this is when Abraham was visited by three men, one of whom is later revealed to be the Lord Himself.

Genesis 18:1-3 (NKJV):
“Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the ground.”

In this instance, God appeared as a visitor, not in His full glory, but in a form that allowed Abraham to interact with Him. This kind of manifestation, while not a direct vision of God’s essence, was a way for God to engage with humanity in a tangible, understandable form.

The New Testament and the Full Revelation of God

In the New Testament, the ultimate revelation of God is found in the person of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is the incarnate Son of God, fully God and fully man. Through Jesus, humanity is given the clearest and most complete picture of God’s nature, character, and will. Jesus revealed the Father to His disciples, but even then, the fullness of God’s glory was veiled.

Jesus as the Revelation of the Father

In John 14:9, Jesus tells Philip that anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father, indicating that Jesus is the fullest expression of God that humans can comprehend. However, this revelation of God was still in the form of a human being, and while Jesus was fully divine, His glory was often hidden behind His humanity.

John 14:9 (NKJV):
“Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’”

This statement emphasizes that in seeing Jesus, the disciples were seeing the full revelation of God, yet this was still limited by the human form that Jesus took. He did not reveal the full, unmediated glory of God but instead displayed God’s character through His life, teachings, death, and resurrection.

The Transfiguration: A Glimpse of Divine Glory

One of the most significant moments in the New Testament when the disciples were given a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory is the Transfiguration. In Matthew 17:1-2, Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, and His face shines like the sun, revealing a temporary manifestation of His divine nature. While this was a powerful display of Jesus’ glory, it was not the full revelation of God in all His majesty.

Matthew 17:1-2 (NKJV):
“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”

This event allowed the disciples to catch a glimpse of the glory that Jesus had before His incarnation and would fully reveal after His resurrection. However, even in this moment, the disciples were not seeing God in His full essence but rather a limited revelation of His divine nature.

Seeing God in Eternity

The Bible does promise that there will come a time when believers will see God face to face. In Revelation 22:4, it is stated that the redeemed will see the face of God in the New Jerusalem. This is the fulfillment of the hope for the full and unhindered presence of God, something that is currently beyond human experience but will be realized in eternity.

Revelation 22:4 (NKJV):
“They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.”

This future promise offers the ultimate hope for believers: that one day, they will be in the direct presence of God, without any barriers, and will see Him face to face. It is only in the eternal state that humans will be able to experience God fully, as the barriers caused by sin, human limitations, and the fallen world will be removed.

Conclusion

While humans cannot see God in His full glory due to His holiness and the limitations of human nature, the Bible provides numerous examples of God revealing Himself in ways that are understandable and survivable. From theophanies in the Old Testament to the full revelation of God in Jesus Christ, God has made Himself known in ways that are both profound and gracious. In the future, believers are promised the incredible privilege of seeing God face to face in the eternal state, where His glory will be fully revealed and no longer veiled. Until that time, Christians are called to live by faith, trusting in the revelation of God through Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ.