Answer # 125

The context of I John 4 shows that John was speaking of the Father (notice verse 10). No man has seen the Father in person except Jesus. Therefore, when Jacob explained, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved," he could not have meant the Father. The One whom Jacob saw face to face-the One with whom he wrestled all night long-the One who blessed him and changed his name to "Israel" which means "preserver-or prevailer-with God" was that member of the God Kingdom who became Jesus Christ. It was He that was "in the beginning..." with God, and ..... was God." For a detailed explanation of who was the God of the Old Testament who appeared to the Prophets and to Moses and Jacob, see the article entitled "Is Jesus God?" in the "Booklets and Articles" section of this web site.