God is the INVISIBLE Spirit. Therefore – no one can “see God.” However, Christ is God’s VISIBLE IMAGE – the GLORY OF GOD – the LIGHT. That’s how God reveals Himself to those He wants.
- Colossians 1:15 “CHRIST IS THE VISIBLE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,”
- John 12:46 “I HAVE COME AS A LIGHT to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”
Moses DID NOT SEE the INVISIBLE Spirit of God, but GOD’S VISIBLE GLORY – CHRIST; HIS GLORIOUS PRESENCE. The “face-to-face” should be understood as “personally,” not literally the way you see other people’s fleshy faces with features. God is NOT human.
Exodus 33:18–23 “Moses responded, “Then show me your GLORIOUS PRESENCE.”
The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. But you may NOT look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” The Lord continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock. As my GLORIOUS PRESENCE passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But MY FACE WILL NOT BE SEEN.”
John 1:14 “So THE WORD BECAME HUMAN and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY, THE GLORY OF THE FATHER’S ONE AND ONLY SON.”