Question: Dear Dr. Roane, will you please explain what the radiance of God is? Why do some people claim that to be in His presence is like a spiritual glow? Have you seen it? Do some of the saints have it? What is your opinion?
Answer: Well, dear friend, all I can do is to answer from experience and what the Bible has to say about this phenomenon.
First of all, Moses' face we are told was so bright after talking with God that he had to shield his face from the people since they were afraid to come near him (Exodus 34:29-36; 2 Corinthians 3:7). Also at the Mount of Transfiguration the whole presence of Jesus glowed (Matthew 17:2); then of course there is the case of Stephen our first martyr (Acts 6:15) who had the face of an angel when he was on trial for preaching the Gospel of Christ. And, of course, there are other examples.
Now, as for myself, I have never seen such a light; although, I have seen the radiant glow on the faces of those who stay as it were close to God. Mother Teresa was one of those, and was my father-in-law, Alfred Cawston, and there are others. Not luminous, mind you, but in a radiance sense that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
No doubt about it, some people have more charisma than others. But charisma can be misleading, so we must be careful. As we do know that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). So, keep in mind that all that glitters is not gold.
Answer: Well, dear friend, all I can do is to answer from experience and what the Bible has to say about this phenomenon.
First of all, Moses' face we are told was so bright after talking with God that he had to shield his face from the people since they were afraid to come near him (Exodus 34:29-36; 2 Corinthians 3:7). Also at the Mount of Transfiguration the whole presence of Jesus glowed (Matthew 17:2); then of course there is the case of Stephen our first martyr (Acts 6:15) who had the face of an angel when he was on trial for preaching the Gospel of Christ. And, of course, there are other examples.
Now, as for myself, I have never seen such a light; although, I have seen the radiant glow on the faces of those who stay as it were close to God. Mother Teresa was one of those, and was my father-in-law, Alfred Cawston, and there are others. Not luminous, mind you, but in a radiance sense that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
No doubt about it, some people have more charisma than others. But charisma can be misleading, so we must be careful. As we do know that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). So, keep in mind that all that glitters is not gold.
Trust this helps,
JimR_/
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