“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.” Psalm 24:3,4
There are several instances in the Old Testament where the prophets had a vision of God. Some saw Him sitting upon a throne. Every vision that God gave to these men of Himself was a clear unveiling, or revelation, of His nature, His holiness, perfection and power. The vision itself was often times difficult to write about, first of all because of the limited capacity of men to grasp what he saw, and then to communicate it faithfully. However, it was primarily difficult for another reason, we might even say, impossible. The vision of God is one of God’s choosing, in His time and in His way, for His purposes. It is specific, clear, powerful in its effects, and certainly a strengthening stimulus to faith. That which is so remarkable about this vision is the measured magnitude of it. It is measured by the wisdom and knowledge of God, so that in revealing the truth of Himself to the prophet, the servant of God can then seek in some measure to write down what he sees. The vision is solely by the revelation that God chooses to give of Himself, in Spirit and truth. This is seen in the first chapter of the book of Revelation when John the Apostle wrote: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet, saying, ‘I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.'” (Rev.1:10,11) It was by the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation,” that God revealed to John what he needed to see of the glorified Christ. It would also be only by the Spirit that he would hear the words of the Lord, spoken with such power and authority. The revelation that God gave of Himself to prophets and apostles was a special and specific one. The question needs to be asked: “Is it possible for the believer since Pentecost, to “see God?” The believer has the same Spirit as the Apostle John and the prophets. What does God desire to reveal of Himself to the heart and mind of the believer, and why?
In Psalm 24:3,4, we find where David writes of approaching God, ascending to the hill of the Lord, and standing in His holy place. He goes on to say that if one comes in a right way, seeking God, that he will receive the blessing of the Lord, and “righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (v.5) Jesus, in the New Testament reaffirmed these truths: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeing in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matt. 6:6) Was not David saying the same thing as the Lord Jesus, with regard to true prayer, approaching God in a right manner, and receiving the blessing of God?
Again, in Matthew’s gospel, the Lord Jesus taught: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (5:8) What did He mean by this? Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right had of the Father. Paul heard the voice of the Lord Jesus. Does God the Father, by the Spirit, desire that we should have an increased perception of the nature and glory of Christ, as we worship Him in truth by the Spirit? David wrote in Psalm 63:1,2: “…O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee…to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.” God gave to David a clear perception of His glory and power as he worshipped Him.
What then are the conditions of drawing near, and perceiving his glory? It is as the believer seeks God, truly and specifically trusting Christ to wash his hands clean of every act, and attitude of sin, and creating in him, a pure, perfect, and clean heart, that he can with assurance come to God in faith. The reward is the revelation of Christ.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to behold Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.