God's Perspective on Being Perceived as Terrifying Sometimes

The concept of God being perceived as terrifying is multifaceted in biblical thought, encompassing both a holy reverence and a dreadful apprehension, depending on the individual's relationship with God. The Bible describes a "fear of the Lord" that is characteristic of true piety, distinct from an unholy, slavish dread ^[5].

This godly fear is not a terror that drives one away, but a reverence that draws one into a right relationship with God. It is described as wisdom (Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10) and a hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13) ^[6]. Proverbs 8:13 states, "The fear of the Lord is seen in hating evil: pride, a high opinion of oneself, the evil way, and the false tongue, are unpleasing to me" ^[1]. This fear is a "fountain of life" (Proverbs 14:27) and is sanctifying (Psalm 19:9) ^[6]. It is a filial and reverential fear, commanded in both the Old and New Testaments (Deuteronomy 13:4; Psalm 22:23; Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Peter 2:17) ^[6]. Motivations for this godly fear include God's holiness (Revelation 15:4), greatness (Deuteronomy 10:12, 17), goodness (1 Samuel 12:24), and forgiveness (Psalm 130:4) ^[6]. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that this "fear of the Lord" in the Old Testament is a designation of true piety, conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread but rather filial reverence ^[5]. The name "Jeruel" and "Jeriel" even mean "fear, or vision of God," indicating the deep connection between God and this concept of fear ^{[7, 9]}.

However, the Bible also presents instances where God is perceived as terrifying in a more dreadful sense, particularly for the ungodly or those who stand in opposition to Him. Psalm 89:7 describes God as "very terrible, In the secret counsel of His holy ones, And fearful over all surrounding Him" ^[3]. This aspect of God's nature is often associated with His judgment and wrath. Hebrews 10:31 warns, "It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God" ^[2]. John Gill, in his commentary on this verse, clarifies that this refers to falling into God's hands "not in a good sense," distinguishing it from the general sense in which all humanity is in God's hands as His creation or believers are in His hands for protection ^[14]. Adam Clarke elaborates that "to fall into the hands of God is to fall under his displeasure; and he who lives for ever can punish for ever" ^[12]. This dreadful prospect is particularly relevant for apostates and those who persecute God's cause ^[12].

The contrast between these two types of fear is significant. The unholy fear is a characteristic of the wicked (Revelation 21:8) and is often described as a fear of idols, man, judgments, or future punishment ^[4]. It is overwhelming, consuming, and often stems from a guilty conscience (Genesis 3:8, 10; Psalm 53:5; Proverbs 28:1) ^[4]. This fear seizes the wicked (Job 15:24; 18:11) and surprises the hypocrite (Isaiah 33:14, 18) ^[4]. God is said to mock this fear when it is realized (Proverbs 1:27; 10:24) ^[4].

Calvin highlights this distinction, noting that while the godly are cheered by God's presence because they behold His goodness, the ungodly are terrified because their conscience convicts them that He comes as a severe Judge ^[11]. He also observes that God does not forbid the godly to experience fear, as it is unavoidable, but He bids them overcome the "excessive terror by which the ungodly are swallowed up" ^[15]. This suggests that even for the righteous, there can be moments of apprehension, but it is tempered by faith and trust in God's goodness.

The perception of God as terrifying can also arise from His holiness and the awareness of human sinfulness. When Moses descended from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the law, his face shone, and the Israelites "were afraid to come nigh him" ^[13]. Adam Clarke suggests that this fear stemmed from their guilty consciences due to their recent transgression, and they had not yet received atonement ^[13]. The very appearance of superior sanctity can awe the guilty into respect ^[13].

God's actions in the world can also evoke terror in the wicked. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that God is glorified in the afflictions of the wicked (Exodus 14:4; Ezekiel 38:22, 23) and holds them in derision (Psalm 37:13; Proverbs 1:26, 27) ^[8]. Their afflictions are often sudden (Psalm 73:10; Proverbs 6:15) and judicially sent (Job 21:17; Psalm 107:17) ^[8]. John Gill, commenting on Psalm 10:5, suggests that the "ways" of the wicked can "cause terror," as antichrist has made the world tremble ^[16].

The concept of "sanctifying the God of armies" means to exalt His power, remembering that He governs the world and controls the beginning and end of all actions ^[10]. When individuals fail to give God the honor due to Him, they "rob" Him of His holiness ^[10]. This implies that a proper understanding and reverence for God's power and sovereignty can prevent the kind of "immoderate alarm" that arises when people do not look to heaven ^[10].

The Bible consistently presents God as both loving and just, merciful and righteous. His terrifying aspect is not arbitrary but is a manifestation of His absolute holiness and justice in the face of sin and rebellion. For those who are in a right relationship with Him, this aspect inspires awe and reverence, leading to obedience and trust. For those who reject Him, it portends judgment and punishment. The distinction lies not in God's nature, but in the human response to it.

Sources

Proverbs “Proverbs 8:13 (BBE) — The fear of the Lord is seen in hating evil: pride, a high opinion of oneself, the evil way, and the false tongue, are unpleasing to me.”
Hebrews “Hebrews 10:31 (Geneva1599) — It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God.”
Psalms “Psalms 89:7 (YLT) — God is very terrible, In the secret counsel of His holy ones, And fearful over all surrounding Him.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Unholy — A characteristic of the wicked -- Re 21:8. Is described as A fear of idols. -- 2Ki 17:38. A fear of man. -- 1Sa 15:24; Joh 9:22. A fear of judgments. -- Isa 2:19; Lu 21:26; Re 6:16,17. A fear of future punishment. -- Heb 10:27. Overwhelming. -- Ex 15:16; Job 15:21,24. Consuming. -- Ps 73:19. A guilty conscience leads to -- Ge 3:8,10; Ps 53:5; Pr 28:1. Seizes the wicked -- Job 15:24; 18:11. Surprises the hypocrite -- Isa 33:14,18. The wicked judicially filled with -- Le 26:16,17; De 28:65-67; Jer 49:5. Shall be realised -- Pr 1:27; 10:24. God mocks -- P”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fear of the Lord the — Is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Comp. Deut. 32:6; Hos. 11:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Gen. 31:42, 53), i.e., the God whom Isaac feared. A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion, and as an incentive to penitence (Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 5:11; 7:1; Phil. 2:12; Eph. 5:21; Heb. 12:28, 29).”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jeruel — fear, or vision of God”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions of the Wicked, The — God is glorified in -- Ex 14:4; Eze 38:22,23. God holds in derision -- Ps 37:13; Pr 1:26,27. Are multiplied -- De 31:17; Job 20:12-18; Ps 32:10. Are continual -- Job 15:20; Ec 2:23; Isa 32:10. Are often sudden -- Ps 73:10; Pr 6:15; Isa 30:13; Re 18:10. Are often judicially sent -- Job 21:17; Ps 107:17; Jer 30:15. Are for examples to others -- Ps 64:7-9; Zep 3:6,7; 1Co 10:5-11; 2Pe 2:6. Are ineffectual of themselves, for their conversion -- Ex 9:30; Isa 9:13; Jer 2:30; Hag 2:17. Their persecution of saints, a cause of -- De 30:7; Ps 55”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jeriel — fear, or vision of God”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 14.21: immoderate alarm is, that wretched men do not raise their eyes and minds to heaven. The Prophet now, therefore, proposes a suitable remedy for allaying terrors, that they who dread the evils which threaten them may learn to give to God the honor due to him. To sanctify the God of armies means to exalt his power highly; so as to remember that he holds the government of the world, and that the beginning and the end of good and evil actions are at his disposal. Hence it follows that, in some respects, God is robbed of his holiness, when we do n”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 19.15: soon as they have mentioned God, they speak of joy and gladness, because the godly will feel that he is gracious and merciful to them; but when they address the ungodly, they hold out the judgment of God, and speak of grief and mourning. As the godly are cheered by the presence of God, because by faith they behold his goodness; so the ungodly are terrified, because the testimony of their conscience reproves and convinces them that he comes as a severe Judge. Since even hypocrites pretend that they eagerly long for the day of the Lord, and bo”
Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 10:31: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God - To fall into the hands of God is to fall under his displeasure; and he who lives for ever can punish for ever. How dreadful to have the displeasure of an eternal, almighty Being to rest on the soul for ever! Apostates, and all the persecutors and enemies of God's cause and people, may expect the heaviest judgments of an incensed Deity: and these, not for a time, but through eternity.”
Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 34:30: They were afraid to come nigh him - A sight of his face alarmed them; their consciences were still guilty from their late transgression, and they had not yet received the atonement. The very appearance of superior sanctity often awes the guilty into respect.”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:29: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. For this is to be understood not in a good sense; so in general all mankind may be said to fall into, or be in the hands of God, as they are the work of his hands, the care of his providence, and are subject to his sovereignty; and in especial manner, believers, whose times and persons are in God's hand, which bespeaks his great affection for them, their nearness to him, the support they have by him, and protection from him; and they choose to fall into the hands of him as a chastising Father, rather th”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 14.20: God, cheered their hearts whenever they mentioned the name of Immanuel . But the ungodly, overcome by terror, thought of nothing but the assistance of the Assyrians, did not consider that there is help in God, and did not betake themselves to him. The Lord certainly does not forbid the godly to fear , for they cannot avoid that; but he bids them overcome that excessive terror by which the ungodly are swallowed up. Let us not, therefore, by their example, gaze around in every direction, and rush headlong to seek unlawful aid; and especially w”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 10:5: His ways are always grievous,.... To God and to his people; or, "his ways cause terror" (a), so Aben Ezra; make men fear; as antichrist has made the whole world tremble at him, Rev 13:4; or, "his ways are defiled", as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin render it; for to him is nothing pure, his mind and conscience being defiled, Tit 1:15; or, "his ways always remain" (b); they are always the same, there is no change in them for the better: or they "prosper" (c) as Jarchi interprets it; and this is sometimes stumbling to the saints, Jer 12:1; thy judgments are far abov”

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