Revelation 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Ezekiel 1:28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Daniel 10:17-19 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today.
Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”
Daniel 10:12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
Luke 24:37-39 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
I am not sure how we think we would react to seeing the appearance of an angel or our Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t think about it much do we? We may not even believe it could happen. In our culture, we seem to think everything is explainable because the thought of angels or Jesus appearing, or for that matter that there is a loving God of creation active in His creation. The unexplained isn’t seen as a wonder or work of God. It is just discounted as though it did not happen and should someone say it did they are discounted and not believed.
Should we see an angel or the Lord Jesus Christ on this side of eternity, I am sure we would be filled with terror at the glory of His appearance. We would be aware of nothing but the fact we are in the presence of Holiness and unworthy of being there.
Those who await the return of the Lord at His second coming with faith and hope will see Him and humbly fall on their face. I am not sure it will be in terror but in total reverence, thankfulness, and high regard. Those who are not looking for or believe in Him will see Him and when they do terror will fill their soul for they will see the glory of the Lord they did not believe in.
One thing is for certain, there awaits a day for both the believer and the non-believer, when Jesus will call to His own and gather them unto Himself – Heaven, and to those who are not He will cast away into torment forever – Hell. To the believer, be ever watching. To the non-believer, come to Him alone who can save you from the day of wrath that surely is coming soon.