ACTS 26.13-15: “At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. (14) And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ (15) And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. (ESV)
In the Book of Acts there are three accounts of Jesus appearing to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. One account in chapter 9 is written by Luke as a part of his historical account. The account set forth in chapter 22 and the one in the verses above were spoken by Paul (formerly known as Saul), during his testimony in court-like proceedings.
A prominent component of Jesus revealing Himself to Paul is the light from heaven, brighter than the sun, preceding the words spoken by Jesus to Paul. The light was seen, but it does not appear that Jesus Himself was seen. Paul was blinded and could not see for three days, until he received his sight again, when Ananias came to see him.
And so I believe the New Testament teaches that Jesus lives surrounded by unapproachable light. In 1 Timothy 6.16 the Apostle Paul writes regarding God the Father who “dwells in unapproachable light, who no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (ESV) And since Jesus is One with God the Father and sits at His right hand, I believe it follows that Jesus likewise lives surrounded by this unapproachable light.
During the moment of Stephen’s death by stoning recorded in Acts chapter 7, he saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. I believe God allowed Stephen to see Jesus to strengthen him during his time of agony. I believe God allowed this special revelation of Jesus and God’s glory to Stephen without this unapproachable light.
Jesus also revealed Himself to the Apostle Paul through dreams or visions. In Acts 22.17 Paul calls the vision a “trance”. This type of vision is similar to the revelation of Jesus through an angel to the Apostle John recorded in the Book of Revelation. And I’ve heard about Jesus revealing Himself to people today through dreams and visions. These accounts are believable, and the ones I’ve heard about are redemptive in content and nature. The revelation of Jesus through a dream or vision is much different than actually seeing Him on his throne at the Father’s right hand.