THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Moreover, the illumination of God's face inherently offers forgiveness, for the understanding of God leads to a fellowship with eternal life. As the Savior declared to the heavenly Father, "But this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3). The face of God and the Father is the Son, who has revealed Himself to us; no one can question this, for He embodies His image, likeness, and representation (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15; 2 Cor. 4:4). Through Him and with Him, we come to know the Father, and with this knowledge, forgiveness becomes essential, since we are justified by faith and "not according to works of righteousness which we would have done, but according to His grace" (Titus 3:5).
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We are freed from corruption and renewed in life in Christ by God's mercy. Additionally, considering the context for the Jewish people, they truly received forgiveness when the Only-begotten shone upon them. They bore an unbearable burden, as the law condemned and punished sin without mercy. However, they were justified when they later received the grace that was available only through Christ, eagerly anticipating His arrival, as they called out to the Almighty, "O God of strength, restore us; let Thy face shine upon us, and we shall be saved" (Psalm 79:8). In this way, we all receive forgiveness at the revelation of Christ.