What If YOU
Saw a Vision of the Lord?
I must admit I am sceptical when I read stories of people who say they saw a vision or manifestation of the the Lord (Christ). Especially in large groups, as most visions of the Lord in the OT are to individuals or very small groups. After the Ascension in the NT we only have the light and voice that appears to Paul in Scripture and John's vision at Patmos.
However, the reason for my scepticism stems primarily from the reaction of those who claim to witness such events. Their reactions seem most often to fall somewhere between exceedingly happy to spiritually ecstatic.
This begs the question, "How we expect someone (believer or non believer) to act if they saw a vision or manifestation of Jesus?".
Obviously, the best place to go for the answer to this question is scripture itself. It seems that some amazingly faithful and surprisingly not so faithful people have seen the "Angel of the Lord" or the pre-incarnate Christ in the OT. Their reactions are quite telling.
Below are just a few typical examples:
1. Moses - Exodus 3:6 And 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 at God."
2. Balaam - Num. 22: 31 "Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. Note Balaam was not a part of God's chosen people and did not follow in faith, as is revealed later in Numbers. But note his reaction upon seeing the "angel of the LORD".
3. Joshua - Joshua. 3:14 "And he said, "No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant?"
4. Gideon - Judges 6: 22-24 "Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD. And Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face." But the LORD said to him, "Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die." Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD...
5. Manoah & his wife - Judges 13:20 "And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the LORD went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground."
6. Ornan's Sons @ David's Census - 1 Chronicles 21:20 "Now Ornan was threshing wheat. He turned and saw the angel, and his four sons who were with him hid themselves."
Check out David's reaction in verse 16.
7. The Shepards - Luke 2:9 "And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
8. Paul - Acts 9: 14-16 "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet,..."
9. John - Revelation 1:17 "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying, "Fear not..." Note the description given of Jesus just before this.
Of course there are others but you get the point.
To be fair, there are instances where the reaction is not as dramatic but quite often those are related more to seeing Him in a dream or just hearing a voice. Most every indication of Christ appearing to someone has produced fear and trembling, a falling on one face, hiding ones face, humility, deep almost agonizing worship, sacrifices or building of alters in honor.
What you don't see is a joyous happy, "hey isn't it great God came by to see us!" attitude.
It would seem to me that if one came face to face with even a vague manifestation of Jesus it would be a very fearful and humbling experience. The presence of God is a powerful force. Even when Christ was walking in the flesh he had moments of revealing his deity that simply overpowered those around.
A born again regenerated believer should understand their position with respect to God's righteousness. (ie Romans 1-3) Being in the presence of God would make the price of our sin glaringly apparent. It would seem one would not be apt to jump around and cheer but hit their knees in reverent worship and acknowledge their absolute dependence on God's Grace for forgiveness.
If that were the reaction of one who claims to have been in the presence of the manifestation of Christ and they were forever changed, I might be more inclined to show support. If someone has that experience and then wants to tell everyone just how cool it was; well I'd have my doubts.
Faith is not seeing but believing as if you had seen.
God Bless
Scott Cosper
