THE PREEMINENCE OF THIS PERSON OF THE VISION

The Preeminence of This Person of the Vision

16b "And his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."

 

The central feature of any person is the face.

The central feature is the face of the person. "Face as the sun." Word face in Greek is "opsis."

This means that which strikes the eye, and properly represents the person, potentiality and prerogatives of the individual. This face was seen at the transfiguration (Mat. 17:2). It was above the brilliance of midday sun (Acts 26:13). This one is the light of the world (John 8:12). He is the day star soon to arise (2 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 22:16). He is the Sun of righteousness (Mal. 4:2). He is the one in whose face shines the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (2 Cor. 4:6). The churches are lamps that must derive their light from another source. The angels are stars, more brilliant, but still getting their light from another. The Christ is the blazing sun that is self-lighting.

17:2 "And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light."
26:13 "At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me."
8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
2 Pet. 1:19 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts."
Rev. 22:16 "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."
Mal. 4:2 "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."
2 Cor. 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

The constant operation is the shining of the sun. "Shineth"—this verb is in the present tense.

It marks the continuous, never-ending putting forth of light. The Light has always been shining (John 1:5). The Light from the Son is already shining (1 John 2:8). And this light shines in the hearts of those who own Christ as Savior (2 Cor. 4:6).

5 "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
8 "Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth."
6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

The consuming power comes from the full strength of the sun.
"In his strength" or in his might or power.

 Dunamis or power to produce results is the thing John is describing. The results are twofold: (1) There is the power to destroy (2 Thess. 2:8). This is the way Christ deals with all sin. (2) There is power to heal (Mal. 4:2). In His presence all the wounds of sin will disap­pear.

8 "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."
2 "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."