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Eureka
AN EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE
Sixth Edition, 1915
By Dr. John Thomas (first edition written 1861)
Chapter 10
Section 3. The Face as the Sun
The face of the angel is identical with the countenance of the symbolic Son of Man in ch. i. 16 -- "his face as it were the Sun;" or, "his countenance as the sun shineth in his strength." In the vision which Daniel saw of the same, "his face was as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire" (x. 6). Ezekiel saw the same brightness in his vision of the Elohim; "whose appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of lamps; ... the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning" (i. 13). Fire and glowing brightness are symbols of the Spirit in intense and destroying activity. "Our Deity," says Paul, "is a consuming fire." The bright and fiery aspect of this apocalyptic symbol, identifies it with spirit-manifestation. It is a symbol of which the Sun of Righteousness is a constituent; and hence the sunshine of his face. This symbolic fire and brightness John saw in vision, find their significance in part, in 2 Thess. i. 8; and ii. 8; where Paul speaks of the apocalypse of the Lord Jesus with a fire of flame, and consuming with spirit of his mouth, and destroying with the brightness of his presence. Hence, the fire and brightness of the symbol are indicative of the consuming and destroying characteristics of the hosts, which are glorified together with him, and invest omnipotence as a cloud.