Listen! The LORD God says, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!"” (Exodus 33:20) For God is holy; so holy that they who peered into the ark of His covenant were slain; saying, “He struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down of all the people, 50,070 men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter.” (1 Samuel 6:19) His voice is terrifying, His appearance fire; they seen the fire and said, “'Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, let me not see this great fire anymore, or I will die.'” (Deuteronomy 18:16)
Therefore, God has removed the sight of Him that we may not die; for even while He came down on Sinai, they “heard the sound of words, but saw no form—only a voice.” (Deuteronomy 4:12) And furthermore, when the high priest entered through the veil into the most holy, he, even he, needed a veil of incense to diminish the sight of the ark; as it says, “He shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the ark of the testimony, otherwise he will die.” (Leviticus 16:13)
Who is it that can ascend to the mount of God, to continual burning and fire, to see God and live? As it says, "Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?” (Isaiah 33:14) It was Moses who went up to God in Sinai; saying, “The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.” (Exodus 19:20) "So I (Moses) turned and came down from the mountain while the mountain was burning with fire, and the two tablets of the covenant were in my two hands.” (Deuteronomy 9:15)
So likewise now God has raised up Another, like Moses, that abides and speaks with God face to face, who dwells with consuming fire; as it is written of Moses, “Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10); and the Prophet which was to come, came, Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who lives with the consuming fire and who abides in the bosom of the Father; as it is written of Him, “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” (John 1:18)
And as Moses writes of Christ, “The LORD said to me, 'I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command him.” (Deuteronomy 18:17-18) Those who believe Moses, believe Christ, for Moses wrote of the Christ; as Christ was saying, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:46-47) So Moses is a shadow to Christ and wrote about Him.
And Christ’s speech is not booming like God; as it says of Him, “He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street.” (Isaiah 42:2) And His appearance is not the consuming fire like God; as it is written of Him, “He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.” (Isaiah 53:2) And the Spirit of Him is a gentle whisper; as it says, “After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing.” (1 Kings 19:12) Albeit these are so, “It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which He shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:19) So “Be on your guard before Him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in Him.” (Exodus 23:21)
Even as these are so, He is the Son of God, in God and apart from God. As the saying goes, “Like father, like son”, so Christ is like the Father. But how much so? When men have children, the child has an attribute or two of the father and some of the mother; so much so, people may say, “I see his father’s creativity in him; and I see his mother’s temperance in him.” But not so with Christ, for Christ doesn’t have an attribute or two of the Father, but resembles Him in His exact likeness, every attribute and every likeness, every work and every deed; as He says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?” (John 14:9)
Furthermore, the apostle says, “For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6) And by His Light He creates us anew in Himself for Himself. Furthermore, it is said of Jesus, “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) For He is God with us: the Eternal Father.
Under the Old Covenant, those who seen the Father, or even the Ark of His Covenant, died; but in the New Testament, those who see God in the face of Christ live. Those who see the face of God die, but those who seek the face of God through Christ live; as David wrote in the Psalms, “When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.” (Psalms 27:8) But he did not know the Son, he did not know His name; as it says, “What is His Name or His Son's name? Surely you know!” (Proverbs 30:4) But surely David knew faith, otherwise He would seek God’s face to death; for whoever sees God perishes, but He gives grace to those who see Christ.
However, many did see God in the Old and did not die — they did not see a fire, but an angel, the angel of God’s Presence; as Isaiah writes of Him, “In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9) One who did see Him was Gideon; as it says, “When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD, he said, "Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face." The LORD said to him, "Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die."” (Judges 6:22-23) As it says, “Peace to you, do not fear;” For with sight of Christ Jesus comes grace and peace with God.
Another who saw Him and even wrestled with Him was Jacob; as it says, “Then Jacob asked him and said, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And he blessed him there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved." (Genesis 32:28-30) For it was the angel of the LORD that wrestled with him, and He is God, yet he did not die — only the socket of his thigh was rent out of place. And like Moses, Jacob saw God face to face and spoke with Him.
And another example is Manoah and his wife; as it says of them, “Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the LORD. So Manoah said to his wife, "We will surely die, for we have seen God." But his wife said to him, "If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have let us hear things like this at this time."” (Judges 13:21-23) And their lives were spared; they received the favor of God, receiving the promise of a son, Samson, the deliverer and judge of Israel. And what about Hagar who seen the angel of the Lord and called Him, “The God who sees”.
But all of these did not know the Angel's name; they only seen the Angel, for His name had not yet been disclosed to them; as it says in the account, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” (Judges 13:18) And, “Why is it that you ask my name?” (Genesis 32:29) Therefore, no name was given; thus the answer to the question, “What is His Son’s name?” was not known during those days. Just as it was in the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for the patriarchs did not know the Father God’s name; as God says, “I am the LORD; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.” (Exodus 6:2-3)
But when He revealed Himself to Moses, “God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.’” God furthermore said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.” (Exodus 3:14-15) Then the LORD made for Himself a glorious name; as it says, “Who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, Who divided the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name, Who led them through the depths? Like the horse in the wilderness, they did not stumble; As the cattle which go down into the valley, The Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. So You led Your people, To make for Yourself a glorious name.” (Isaiah 63:12-14) And when God ceased, His name remained on earth, sanctified.
So likewise, when the Son of God, the Angel of the LORD, was to be revealed, His name was made known; saying, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:31-33) And His name was made great by many signs and miracles and wonders by the power of the mighty hand of God, as it is even to this day.
For the Father God visited and left, leaving His great name to be called upon through faith; and Christ Jesus came and left, sanctifying His name for salvation to everyone who believes; saying, “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Therefore, if on earth they do not revere His holy name, certainly they will not revere Him when He comes in great power and glory to execute wrath on His enemies. Unless you, oh man, think otherwise? But I ask you, who know the Scriptures, who is it that will gather together to battle against the Son of God on the day of His visitation (Revelation 19:19)? Is it not they who do not fear His name? Won’t they not revere Him when He comes even in great glory?
Therefore, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15) For when a person is absent, it is necessary to come or another to come in his name; and Jesus Christ has come in the Father’s name, working His works and speaking His words; and He has left, leaving His name for us to call upon for salvation; as it says, “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” (Romans 10:13)
And now, Christ is absent until He comes again; and where His absence is, there is given His Spirit and righteousness by faith; as He says, “I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7) And, “concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;” (John 16:10) For if He were here, we would see Him and the righteousness thereof could not come by faith, for faith is the conviction of things unseen. But we who see Him, do so by faith to life; for who can call on Him unless they believe in Him?
So therefore, seek faith! I ask you, know you not the eyes of faith? As the writer of Hebrews says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2) Is it our physical eyes that he is talking about? Of course not! Who of us has seen Him risen, except the apostles? He is speaking of the eyes of our mind; just as Paul says about those who have no faith, “even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) And we can now only see God through the image of God, that is Christ; and even so now, only through faith, through the image of our mind, through the vision of our head, do we see Him; as Solomon says, “And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness. The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness.” (Ecclesiastes 2:13-14)
For even the Holy Son of God needs to be sought after through this kind of vision; and this is the vision we preach: faith. It is sight without seeing, for God is terrifying, a consuming fire; who can see Him? So thus, we need Christ, our Mediator, and furthermore, faith. For while Christ dwelt with them, they were constantly terrified, even of Him, putting even great kings to fright. And this is the vessel of faith: the eye of our understanding. As it was with Adam and Eve, their eyes were opened; or do you think Adam and Eve were led by the hand being blind before they ate of the fruit? As it says, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.” (Genesis 3:7) Rather, it was the eye of their understanding that was opened, for although they were naked, they did not perceive it. God makes humans physically blind that we would see this; as He says, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?” (Exodus 4:11)
Just as Paul was physically blind when he seen the living Christ; as it says, “Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.” (Acts 9:8) For those who are blind need to be led by someone who can see. Likewise, the spiritually blind also need leading, as Paul was saying, “and are confident that you (teachers of the Law) yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness.” (Romans 2:19) Or even the Lord, “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?” (Luke 6:39) And, “Let them (Pharisees) alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." (Matthew 15:14)
Concerning spiritual vision: how did Paul see when he was blind? As it says later, “and he (Paul) has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” (Acts 9:12) If he were blind, how could he see? Therefore, anyone who seeks God must seek Him through spiritual means, which is faith, for God is Spirit. The one who sees God in spirit sees more than the one seeing only in the flesh; the one who is physically blind and believes has more sight than the one who is sees. As it says, “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8) But, “whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.” (John 3:15)
Who led the multitude of soldiers by the hand when Elisha struck them with blindness? As it says, “When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:18) But no-one led them by the hand, for it was their understanding that was blinded, and they became blind in mind; and they needed a leader. It was Elisha who they sought after, it was Elisha who led them right into the enemy territory; as it says, “This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." And he brought them to Samaria.” (2 Kings 6:19) “Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, "My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?"” (2 Kings 6:21) So there was none to lead them by the hand, for they were not physically blind.
Furthermore Christ says, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." (John 9:39) For true blindness is unbelief; and true sight is faith; and Christ making the physically blind see, gives true sight as well, but to those who do not believe are hardened; as He says, “WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.” (Mark 4:12) For many who were hardened by unbelief, although having eyes, they did not see, nor perceive; as Christ says, “HAVING EYES, DO YOU NOT SEE? AND HAVING EARS, DO YOU NOT HEAR?” (Mark 8:18)
Give us, Oh Lord, “eye salve” (Revelation 3:18) that we may see! For, “When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.” (John 9:6-7) And help us with our unbelief; saying, “Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."” (Mark 9:24) Help us to see Your works that we may see You; saying, “let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight.” (Exodus 33:13) For we know You are gracious and merciful, abounding in lovingkindness and truth!
Therefore, whoever you are, open up your eyes, and awake! Circumcise your hearts and ears; come to the Light! For, “We grope along the wall like blind men, We grope like those who have no eyes; We stumble at midday as in the twilight, Among those who are vigorous we are like dead men.” (Isaiah 59:10) “By day they meet with darkness, And grope at noon as in the night.” (Job 5:14) For the one who walks in the darkness “does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:11) But Christ has become to us who are blind, the great Shepherd and Leader of the sheep, the Light of the World, and the Way to life.
Come to the knowledge of Christ! Jesus Christ crucified for you! The love of God in Christ Jesus. See! Not with eyes of flesh, but with eyes of spirit; as it says, “before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.” (Galatians 3:1) For “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Just as a blind dolphin can see by triangulating noises in water through hearing, and a submarine by echolocation, so we can see Christ through hearing the testimony of Him; and by seeing Him through faith, the righteousness of God comes; saying, “The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.” (3 John 1:11) So the one who does good has seen Him.
Open up your eyes and see where you have come to! “You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:20-24) For even Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And God answered the man of God with a physical sight to see, “And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17)