Originally Posted by Don Gelles

What is being discussed here is what we call a Theophany. Put simply, a theophany is the presence of God manifested in a way in which man can see and interact with him. A good example of this would be Genesis 18:1-2

Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw {them,} he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth,

Here we have God appearing to man in a form that man can interact with. And WOW- he appears as three men!

The same thing is seen when Jacob wrestles with "God" in Gen. 32:30

"So Jacob named the place Peniel, for {he said,} "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved."

But scripture teaches us that it was an angel that he wrestled with: Hosea 12:4 Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel And there He spoke with us,

So.... how are these texts reconciled? Simple. God in various ways and at many different times appeared to man in a form in which man could see, touch and interact with physically. Put simply- a theophany.

So the scripture is true and just when it says "no man has ever seen God.... John 1:18"

Kindly offered,
Don

Originally Posted by Don Gelles

Oh, your good Lee...I'll give you that! Your good!