Has anyone ever seen God?

The question of whether anyone has seen God is fundamental to understanding divine revelation and human interaction with the divine. The Bible presents various instances where individuals claim to have seen God or experienced His presence in different forms. This study will explore these instances, their contexts, and the theological implications they carry.

Old Testament Accounts

Theophanies and Manifestations

In the Old Testament, God is often depicted as appearing to humans in various forms, revealing aspects of His character and will.

• Genesis 17:1:
  • “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.'”

Here, the Lord appears to Abram (later named Abraham) and identifies Himself as Almighty God, establishing a covenant with him.

• Exodus 3:2-6:
  • “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.’ Moreover He said, ‘I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.”

In this famous encounter, God manifests Himself as the Angel of the Lord in a burning bush, revealing His holiness and commissioning Moses for a special task.

Moses’ Desire to See God

Moses, in his deep relationship with God, expresses a desire to see God’s glory.

• Exodus 33:18-23:
  • “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.’ And the Lord said, ‘Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.'”

In response to Moses’ request, God promises to reveal His glory in a limited way, shielding Moses from His full presence to protect him.

Encounters with the Angel of the Lord

The Angel of the Lord appears in several instances in the Old Testament, representing a divine presence. Most conservative expositors have here recognized the second person of the Godhead as the Angel of the Lord.

• Genesis 16:7-13:
  • “Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. And He said, ‘Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.’ The Angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.’ Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, ‘I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.’ And the Angel of the Lord said to her: ‘Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your affliction. He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.’ Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him who sees me?'”

Here, the Angel of the Lord speaks as God Himself, revealing His omniscience and divine attributes.

Prophetic Visions and Experiences

Isaiah’s Vision of God

Prophets like Isaiah receive visions that depict the glory and majesty of God.

• Isaiah 6:1-5:
  • “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!’ And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.'”

Isaiah’s vision of God’s throne room underscores the holiness and transcendence of God, prompting Isaiah’s profound sense of unworthiness.

New Testament Accounts

The Incarnation of Jesus Christ

The New Testament introduces the concept of the Incarnation, where God becomes flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.

• John 1:14:
  • “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Through Jesus Christ, God’s glory is revealed in a tangible and accessible way to humanity.

Witnesses of Jesus’ Transfiguration

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, some disciples witness His transfiguration, where His divine glory is briefly revealed.

• Matthew 17:1-5:
  • “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. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'”

Peter, James, and John witness Jesus in His glorified state, affirming His divine identity as the Son of God.

Theological Reflections

Seeing God in His Glory

The Bible portrays instances where individuals perceive God’s glory, either directly or through visions and manifestations. These encounters highlight God’s transcendence and holiness, often prompting reverence and awe in those who experience them.

• Revelation 4:2-3:
  • “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.”

John’s vision in Revelation depicts God enthroned in heaven, surrounded by symbols of His majesty and glory.

The Mystery of God’s Essence

While the Bible records various encounters with God, it also acknowledges the mystery surrounding His essence and the limitations of human comprehension.

• 1 Timothy 6:15-16:
  • “He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.”

This passage underscores the incomprehensibility of God’s essence, emphasizing His unapproachable light and transcendence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Old Testament records various instances of theophanies, angelic manifestations, and prophetic visions where individuals encounter God in different forms. These encounters reveal aspects of God’s character, holiness, and divine will, prompting awe and reverence among those who experience them.

In the New Testament, the incarnation of Jesus Christ represents the ultimate revelation of God’s glory, as He becomes flesh to dwell among humanity. While these accounts provide glimpses into God’s presence and glory, they also underscore the mystery and transcendence of His divine essence, which surpasses human understanding. As believers reflect on these biblical accounts, they are invited into deeper reverence and worship of the God who reveals Himself through both visible manifestations and the hidden mysteries of His divine being.

Check out the Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics. 

In His service,
BibleAsk Team