Seeing God’s Face

  • Thread starter Thread starter FinallyPeace
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

FinallyPeace

Guest
So I know that it is a sin to see God’s face. So if someone saw a real image or photo of God would that still be committing the sin or does it have to be face to face. Obviously this wouldn’t happen but I’m just asking.
 
Last edited:
Not sure where you got an idea about any of this being sinful, is all.
 
I think I kinda get what you are trying to say, but correct me if I am wrong. So like in Exodus 3, Moses was afraid to look at God at the burning bush. I don’t necessarily think it is a sin to look at God because so many people saw what Jesus looked like when He was preaching, healing, and so on. In the same way, I don’t think someone would be sinning if they saw a picture either.
 
Last edited:
Lots of Christian art and iconography portrays the face of Jesus, and Jesus is God. Jesus also lived on earth, and appeared to saints after His ascension.

I’m guessing you mean the Father’s face? Does He even have a “face” that a person could see? I don’t know that the idea of it being a sin to see God’s face is really a thing in Christianity. Certainly nothing for you to worry about.
 
Exodus 33:20 “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
 
FinallyPeace said:
I don’t know exactly what it means by no one will live
Click to expand...
He is a consuming fire and only one who loves him enters the fire to give his whole self to God just as God gave his whole life into us for union. The Name | SoftVocation In the OT only Moses was not afraid to die in God, and after being with(in) God and returning to the people his face was radiating light.

We are not afraid to enter the Fire.
 
Last edited:
It’s not a sin to see God’s Face; indeed, it’s our ultimate goal. That said, the sinful cannot see God’s Face and live, which is why He forbids His People to see His Face. Without Christ, we cannot attain the requisite purity to tolerate being in His Presence.
 
Totally agree with that. You can see God’s face in the Eucharist at every Mass that we go to as Catholics and we partake in the body and blood of our Lord.
 
FinallyPeace said:
Exodus 33:20 “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
Click to expand...
Peculiarly, the only two individuals who specifically asked to see the face of God in the Old Testament but were refused – Moses and Elijah – were the exact two who saw the transfigured face of Jesus with Peter, James and John.
If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:7, 9)

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. (Matt 7:1-8)

Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Luke 10:23-4)
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
We’re actually exhorted numerous times in the Old Testament to seek God’s face. To see God is to know Him, in a direct or immediate manner, and that’s exactly the knowledge Jesus came to give or reveal:
"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:9
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3

And this initimate knowledge is the object of the gift of faith, and while it begins here it’s only fully realized in the next life:
"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Cor 13:12
 
Last edited:
I always interpreted this to mean that seeing God’s face would be so overwhelming that you would not be able to live through the experience.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top