***..For no man has seen God and lived.***
Really?
Jdg 13:21 But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he [was] an angel of the LORD.
Jdg 13:22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because WE HAVE SEEN GOD.
Jdg 13:23 But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these [things], nor would as at this time have told us [such things] as these.
Stephen likely saw him before being stoned and died moments from stoning. That can be assumed because Hhe saw Christ at the right hand of GOD. He would have too seen both or the glory thereof. John saw Him as well. John was shown heaven and the Throne Of GOD. How could either see GOD? They had sinned had they not? Yet they were very much alive and no Purgatory. Because they were made righteous before GOD through Jesus Christ.