When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead (Revelation 1:17).
Many claim they want to see Jesus, but in the verse above, John describes the universal response of human beings who see Christ in His exalted state. This in spite of the fact that this same “disciple whom Jesus loved” had calmly laid his head in the Master’s lap when He walked the earth (John 20:2; 13:23). Even the sinless Seraphim cover their eyes in the presence of deity (Isaiah 6:2-3). And the hosts of hell? They squeal for mercy whenever they meet Him (Matthew 8:31). When Christ is truly seen for who He is, His Creation can do nothing but kneel, and one day, “at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10 NLT). When God completely reveals Himself, no one is left standing.
God reveals Himself to scare some, and to save others. Abimelech and “all his officials . . . were very much afraid” after God had revealed to the pagan king, “You are as good as dead” because Abraham’s wife was among his harem. (Genesis 20:3,8). “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us.” (Titus 3:4-5). Whether the effect of God’s revelation of Himself is fear or forgiveness, His purpose in it is His glorification.
It is when God is revealed, when He is “seen” by those in Heaven, Hell or earth, that He is glorified. If there is no revelation of God, there is no glorification of God. And because of who He is, when He does reveal Himself, there is always automatic, irresistible, blinding, and knee-bending GLORY!. Neither man, nor angel, nor demon can stand before God when He shows Himself completely.