Throughout the Word of God we find people who has seen Jesus. Jacob saw a ladder in a dream and that was symbolic of Jesus who would be "the ladder" between God and man. Noah saw a rainbow, which was symbolic of Jesus. Abraham and Isaac saw the ram as a symbol of Jesus who would come and be our sacrificed lam.
There are many examples in the Word. There were people that have seen Jesus in His Glory. They saw Him as the Glorious King and Lord that is in heaven sitting on the right hand of God. They saw Him for who and what He is. Not many saw Him this way. Only a few people saw Jesus and they were "as dead" and the scripture reveals to us that some were in a "deep sleep". It was such an experience that God had to protect them by letting them fall into a deep sleep.
An experience of which it seems, that they had difficulty to explain what they saw. Their explanation seems so unreal to us. They had to use words and life experiences to try to explain what they saw. And yet, it was real to them and with passion they told what they saw. Even though nobody would be able to understand or maybe believe them. It was a reality to them.
Some did not know His Name. They saw Him. They knew that they saw "something" not of this world. They knew that it was God and that their whole existence depends on what they saw. The fear of God came over them. They realized that it was a matter of great importance. A life changing experience took place. How would they be able to explain to others what had happened to them and what they saw?
Words seem inaccurate. They had difficulty conveying the greatness and yet what they said, said everything. The Word of God reveals to us that which they saw in a way that we know who and what they saw. They saw Jesus. The Glorious King in all His Glory. They saw Him in His Ma jesty. The Lamb of God, worthy to be praised. The Son of God sitting at His right hand. The Lord, because He is worthy, He paid the price. It is Him that everyone heard of through the promise. Everyone that waited for that promise knew that God would do as He promised. And there were people that saw the promise and they were very happy.
Let us look at those who saw Him in His Glory. We have the privilege to look at what they saw and to know His Name. We have a relationship with Him and know Him. Let us look through their eyes and experience His Greatness and Glory.
Genesis 15:12-17
What happened to Abraham and what did he see?
1. Deep sleep fell upon Abraham
2. Horror and great darkness fell upon him
3. He saw a smoking oven and a burning torch
And it passed between the pieces of the animals that Abraham brought and cut open lay down before the Lord. He saw Jesus after his obedience to God. God told Him to bring the animals and he did. He had to cut them and he did. Abraham did exactly what God told Him to do.
After he brought that which God told him to bring, the "vultures" (: 11) come and Abraham had to drove them away. He had to protect that which he brought before God. Abraham went through a process. He had to go all the way. He humbled himself and protected that which would be the "passage" through which he saw Jesus. This all happened to Abraham because he believed in the Lord and he accounted it to Him for righteousness.
Daniel 10:5-9
What had happened to Daniel and what did he see?
1. Certain man clothed in linen
2. Whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz
3. His body was like beryl
4. His face like the appearance of lightning
5. His eyes like torches of fire
6. His arms and feet like burnished bronce in color
7. Sound of his words like the voice of a multitude
8. He was in a deep sleep on his face, with his face to the ground
We see that Daniel was mourning three full weeks. He ate no pleasant food; no meat or wine came into his mouth. He did not anoint himself.
Daniel 10
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Daniel was a young man when he was one of the sons of Judah who was taken captive to Babylon. He was one of the young men in whom there was no blemish, but good looking, gifted in wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand. He had the ability to serve in the king's palace (:4)
Now Daniel even though he was still very young purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. With the portion of the Kings delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. "Therefore he requested . . ." (:8)
Daniel took a decision and he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. This was a dangerous thing to do. He regarded not to defile himself higher than his own life. He wanted to do the will of God, no matter what. At a very young age he took a decision for God. God rewarded him for that and His features appeared, better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies (:15). God rewarded him further by giving him knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams (:17; :20)
Throughout the whole book of Daniel we see that Daniel lived a life of dedication and he did not defile himself in any way. He walked with God and had a relationship with God. Coming up to chapter 10 of Daniel we find him in a time of mourning. He sought the face of God through fasting and prayer.
Revelation 1:13-15
Reading the first chapter of Revelation we see that John saw Jesus. Jesus spoke to him and said "I am He who lives and has died and behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen" (:18)
What had happened to John and what did he see?
1. One like the Son of Man
2. Clothed with a garment down to the feet
3. Girded about the chest with a golden band
4. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow
5. His eyes like a flame of fire
6. His feet were like fine brass as if refined in a furnace
7. His voice as the sound of many waters
8. He fell at his feet as dead (:17)
The following table compares the events of the three people that saw Jesus . . .
Abraham |
Daniel |
John |
* |
* |
One like the Son of Man |
* |
Certain men clothed in linen |
Clothed with a garment down to the feet |
* |
Whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz |
Girded about the chest with a golden band |
* |
His face like the appearance of lightning |
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow |
* |
His eyes like torches of fire |
His eyes like a flame of fire |
He saw a smoking oven and a burning torch |
His body was like beryl |
His feet were like fine brass as if refined in a furnace |
* |
Sound of his words like the voice of a multitude |
His voice as the sound of many waters |
Deep sleep fell upon Abraham |
He was in a deep sleep on his face, with his face to the ground |
* |
Horror and great darkness fell upon him |
* |
He fell at his feet as dead |