The concept of God's appearance in the Bible is a profound and complex topic, as God is described as both invisible and yet manifest in various forms throughout the Scriptures. The Bible presents God's appearance in ways that emphasize His holiness, majesty, and transcendence, while also revealing His desire to communicate with humanity.

Invisibility and Transcendence

The Bible frequently emphasizes that God is spirit and invisible. In John 4:24, Jesus states, "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." This underscores the idea that God is not bound by physical form. Similarly, 1 Timothy 1:17 refers to God as "the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God," highlighting His transcendence and the fact that He cannot be seen by human eyes in His full essence.

Theophanies

Throughout the Old Testament, God occasionally reveals Himself through theophanies, which are visible manifestations of God to humans. One of the most notable theophanies is found in Exodus 3:2-6, where God appears to Moses in the form of a burning bush. The text states, "There the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed." This encounter emphasizes God's holiness and His ability to reveal Himself in extraordinary ways.

Another significant theophany occurs in Exodus 24:9-11, where Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel see a vision of God. The passage describes, "They saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself." This vision underscores God's majesty and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence.

Visions and Dreams

God also communicates through visions and dreams, providing glimpses of His appearance. In Isaiah 6:1-5, the prophet Isaiah describes a vision of the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of His robe filling the temple. The seraphim call out, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." This vision highlights God's holiness and glory.

Similarly, in Ezekiel 1:26-28, the prophet Ezekiel describes a vision of a figure resembling a man, surrounded by brilliant light and a rainbow-like radiance. Ezekiel writes, "This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD." Such visions convey the splendor and majesty of God's presence.

Incarnation of Christ

The ultimate revelation of God's appearance is found in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In John 1:14, it is written, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus, as God incarnate, provides the most tangible and personal manifestation of God to humanity. Colossians 1:15 further affirms this by stating, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

Symbolic Representations

The Bible also uses symbolic language to describe God's appearance, often employing metaphors and imagery to convey His attributes. For example, in Revelation 1:14-16, John describes a vision of the glorified Christ with hair white like wool, eyes like blazing fire, and a voice like the sound of rushing waters. These symbols communicate aspects of God's purity, omniscience, and authority.

Conclusion

While God's appearance is ultimately beyond human comprehension, the Bible provides various ways in which God has chosen to reveal Himself to humanity. Through theophanies, visions, dreams, and the incarnation of Christ, God communicates His holiness, majesty, and love, inviting believers to know Him and worship Him in spirit and truth.Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Topicalbible.org

Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Topicalbible.org

John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Topicalbible.org

Dream and Reality
... I. The heathen dream of incarnation. In all lands we find this belief in the appearance
of the gods in human form. It inspired the art and poetry of Greece. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/dream and reality.htm

Argument: Octavius Attests the Fact that Men were Adopted as Gods ...
... And, in Addition, He Laughs at the Ridiculous and Disgusting Absurdities Which the
Heathens Continually Allege About the Form and Appearance of Their Gods. ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxi argument octavius attests the.htm

Of those who Maintain that they Worship the Gods not for the Sake ...
... any one may, in consideration of human frailty, despise the falling pinnacles of
an earthly kingdom, these gods have presented such an appearance as to seem ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 1 of those who maintain.htm

And Whence, Finally, do You Know Whether all These Images which ...
... of the gods above, there must then be said to dwell in heaven also a god such as
the image which has been made to represent his form and appearance; [4636] and ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/10 and whence finally do.htm

What Has Become of the Gods?
... begotten of men who are mortal and short-lived make an appearance even until ... even
the country places also are inhabited, how ought not the gods, who, according ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter iii what has become of.htm

"You do not Worship the Gods," You Say; "And You do not Offer ...
... persons of whom we have no knowledge, or who make a sudden appearance, have fallen ...
it were divine, since even at this day men of culture make gods of those whom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter x you do not.htm

The Lateness of the Revelation of Marcion's God the Question of ...
... [2505] Meanwhile, whatever is the (created) substance, it ought at any rate to have
made its appearance in company ... [2511] Now, begin to reckon up your gods. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xv the lateness of the.htm

The Octavius of Minucius Felix
... And, in Addition, He Laughs at the Ridiculous and Disgusting Absurdities Which the
Heathens Continually Allege About the Form and Appearance of Their Gods. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/felix/the octavius of minucius felix/

Section 9, 10. Unless Father and Son are Two in Name Only, or as ...
... answer to such, If to acknowledge Father and Son, is to hold two Gods, it instantly ...
be a similitude of man, which are two in being and in appearance, but one ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 9 10 unless father.htm

But You Will, Perhaps, Say that the Gods have Indeed Other Forms.. ...
... But you will, perhaps, say that the gods have indeed other forms, and that you have
given the appearance of men to them merely by way of honour, and for form's ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/16 but you will perhaps.htm

Is Jesus a myth? Is Jesus just a copy of the pagan gods of other ancient religions? | GotQuestions.org

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