John the Apostle addressed this topic twice in his writings.  He wrote in John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”  He also wrote in 1 John 4:12, “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” 

Speaking of the Lord Jesus, we read in Colossians 1:14-15, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of THE INVISIBLE GOD, the firstborn of every creature.”  Since God is invisible, it stands to reason that no one has ever seen Him.  John 4:24 tells us that “God is a spirit…” and a spirit does not have a presence that can be seen.

With that being said, there are a few verses to consider such as, “Deuteronomy 34:10, “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew FACE TO FACE.”  (See also Numbers 12:7-8).  These are words that speak figuratively and simply identify the relationship Moses had with the Lord.  It describes the closest familiarity and greatest friendship.  So, we understand this relationship was as a man with his friend.  It basically indicates that none were permitted to such familiarity with God as Moses had.  In fact, we have these words from the Lord to Moses, “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” (Exodus 33:20). 

We do have instances where God took on the form of a man that could be seen.  We read of an event in the life of Abraham where he saw the Lord in the form of a man.  Genesis 18:2 tells us of Abraham, “And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground.”  We learn that one of these men was actually God for that is made clear in verses 9-14.

Now, let’s consider the words of the Lord Jesus in John 14:7-9, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” As we noticed in Colossians 1:14-15, Christ is the very “image of the invisible God.”  1 Timothy 3:16 assures us that in the person of Christ, “God was manifest in the flesh.”  So, in the person of Christ, many saw God in the face of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus. 

For all those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a day coming when we will see Him.  1 John 3:2-3 tells us, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”  My dear friend, do you know Christ as your savior?  Will you SEE HIM and BE LIKE HIM when He comes again?  I do pray that you have realized your sinfulness and your hopelessness without Christ.  I pray you have put your faith in Him as the ONLY means of salvation.  Christ, Himself, stated in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  If you have never put your faith in the Lord Jesus as your savior, I adjure you to do it today before it is eternally too late.  Ephesians 2:8-9 makes is so simple and clear, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  (CC)  (704.6)