This question goes right to the heart of how the Bible describes God.
Scripture clearly says, “No one has ever seen God” (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12).
And yet, we also read of people like Moses, Isaiah, and Abraham who saw God and lived to tell the story.
So, how can both be true? Let’s explore what the Bible really teaches.
1. God Is Spirit, Yet He Can Reveal Himself
The Bible tells us that God is spirit (John 4:24). He doesn’t have a physical body like ours.
But that doesn’t mean He’s unable to show Himself in visible form. In fact, He has done so many times throughout Scripture.
Here are a few examples:
- In a burning bush: When God called Moses, He appeared as a flame that burned but did not consume the bush (Exodus 3:2–6).
- As a dove: At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit of God descended “like a dove” (John 1:32).
- As a man: In the Old Testament, “the Angel of the Lord” appeared as a person speaking with divine authority (Judges 6:11–24; Genesis 18).
These weren’t illusions or mere symbols. They were real, physical manifestations—ways in which the invisible God made Himself visible and approachable.
Think of the sun. You can’t look directly into its blazing core without being blinded. But you can see its light reflected on clouds, water, or the earth around you.
In a similar way, God’s full glory is far too overwhelming for human eyes. Yet He graciously reveals Himself in ways we can bear and understand.
2. The Greatest Revelation of All: Jesus Christ
The clearest and most personal way God has ever revealed Himself is through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus is “the exact representation of God’s being.”
In Him, the invisible became visible. The eternal Word of God “became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14).
That’s why John writes, “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known” (John 1:18).
We cannot see the Father directly—but we can see the Father perfectly in the Son.
Think about a great author. You can’t read the author’s mind directly, but you can know their heart and character through their writings.
In the same way, Jesus is the “living Word” of God—revealing God’s thoughts, love, and character in human form.
When we look at Jesus—His compassion, His power, His truth—we are looking at the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
3. Why We Can’t See God’s Full Glory
When Moses asked to see God’s glory (Exodus 33:18–23), God allowed him only a glimpse, saying,
“You cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live.”
Why? Because the full radiance of God’s holiness would overwhelm finite, sinful humanity.
It’s not that God wants to harm us—it’s simply that His glory is too pure, too powerful, for fallen eyes to endure.
Even righteous men trembled at His presence:
- Isaiah cried, “Woe is me!” when he saw the Lord on His throne (Isaiah 6:5).
- Manoah, Samson’s father, thought he would die after seeing the Angel of the Lord (Judges 13:22).
Moses likely saw a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ—a limited revelation of God’s glory. It was enough to transform his face, but not enough to destroy him (Exodus 34:29–35).
Standing too close to a lightning bolt would be fatal—not because lightning is evil, but because it’s too powerful.
In the same way, God’s holiness is pure and radiant. Without His grace, no one could stand before it.
The Beautiful Truth
So, how can God be seen if He is invisible?
- God is spirit, yet He lovingly reveals Himself in ways we can understand.
- He has shown Himself through signs, through His Word, and ultimately through Jesus Christ, the visible image of the invisible God.
- And one day, when our sin is fully removed and we are made new, we will see Him face to face (1 John 3:2).
Until then, we see His light reflected—in His creation, His Word, and most clearly, in Christ Himself.
Stand Firm! 