There is an unfortunately prominent mistake in Christianity regarding the approachability of God. The presence of the Lord is no light thing.
The theophanies of the Old Testament feature awe-filled experiences where man’s crude perceptive abilities and lack of purity were dramatically contrasted with God’s glory. Accounts of Adam and Eve, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and others in the presence of God clearly attest to the serious nature of being in God’s presence.
In ancient Israel, only the High Priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, and he could only do so once a year. Even then, he had to wear bells and tie a rope around his waist so that, if he was killed due to some impurity, the other priests could safely extract his body.
While the Lord’s mortal advent necessarily cloaked his glory in the veil of flesh, his appearance to others after his resurrection showed that his glory was as terrible and awesome as ever. The apostle John, who knew Jesus in life so well that he was denominated the apostle most beloved by Jesus, fell down in his resurrected presence, overcome by the glory he saw:
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1)
If John the Beloved was overcome by the glory of the resurrected Christ, does any man have any reason or right to assume that his presence is a light thing?
One does not simply stand in the presence of God. It is blasphemous in the extreme to think that a sinful person can casually interact with the glorified Creator of heaven and earth, the King of Kings, the Son of the Most High. We read that even angels, who possess less glory than He who created them, are described as being enveloped in unapproachable fire, sufficiently difficult to endure that the most righteous individuals in scripture—people like Daniel and John, the beloved disciple of Jesus—collapse in reverent exhaustion before them. Do you really think that one who has not given all to the adoration of God in all times and in all places, even under the threat of death—as Daniel and John had—could do better in the presence of one greater?
It is possible to find the pinnacle of joy and comfort in the presence of God. However, the greatest blessing possible comes with the greatest cost possible. To feel as a loving child in the presence of the eternal Father, you must first act like his loving child here and now.
For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? (Mosiah 5:13)
The key to comfort in his presence is consummate dedication in seeking and doing his will at all times and in all places:
21 Dear friends, if we feel at ease in the presence of God, we will have the courage to come near him.
22 He will give us whatever we ask, because we obey him and do what pleases him. (1 John 3, CEV)
If we keep God’s commandments without fail, we will be able to bear his presence, here and hereafter.