THEOSISAndrew of Caesarea
The brightness of the heavenly powers is indicated, and their purity, which surpasses the great radiance of the stars and luminaries.
Revelation 18:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And after these things, I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power: and the earth was enlightened with his glory.
μετα και μετα ταυτα ειδον αλλον αγγελον καταβαινοντα εκ του ουρανου εχοντα εξουσιαν μεγαλην και η γη εφωτισθη εκ της δοξης αυτου
The Church Fathers on this verse
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Primasius of Hadrumetum
I think this signifies the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who in Isaiah is called the Angel of Great Counsel (Is 9:6). At His first coming He said, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Mt 4:17), and He destroyed the power of worldly authority. And the earth was illumined by the splendor of Him Who Himself is the true Light, Who enlightens every man coming into the world (Jn 1:9).
Beda Venerabilis
This mighty angel who illumines the earth can signify both the incarnate Lord Himself and the teachers of the Church. Filled with heavenly light, they preach concerning the end of the world, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Mt 4:17).
Borodin P.M.
Unrestrained and luxurious life bore the fruits that became the cause of Babylon's fall.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ezek 43:2And behold the glory of the God of Israel came in by the way of the east: and his voice was like the noise of many waters, and the earth shone with his majesty.
- Luke 17:24For as the lightning that lighteneth from under heaven shineth unto the parts that are under heaven, so shall the Son of man be in his day.
- Rev 10:1And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head: and his face, as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.
- Isa 60:1Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
- Isa 60:3And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light, and kings in the brightness of thy rising.
- 2 Thess 2:8And then that wicked one shall be revealed: whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: him
- Rev 17:1And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven vials and spoke with me, saying: Come, I will shew thee the condemnation of the great harlot, who sitteth upon many waters:
- Rev 21:23And the city hath no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of God hath enlightened it: and the Lamb is the lamp thereof.
The original text
Greek text, 20 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
- ΜετὰmetawithG3326 · μετά
- ταῦταtautathisG3778 · οὗτος
- εἶδονeidonI knowG1492 · εἴδω
- ἄλλονallonotherG243 · ἄλλος
- ἄγγελονangelonan angelG32 · ἄγγελος
- καταβαίνονταkatabainontaI go downG2597 · καταβαίνω
- ἐκekfrom outG1537 · ἐκ
- τοῦtoutheG3588 · ὁ
- οὐρανοῦouranouthe skyG3772 · οὐρανός
- ἔχονταechontaI haveG2192 · ἔχω
- ἐξουσίανexousianpowerG1849 · ἐξουσία
- μεγάληνmegalēnlargeG3173 · μέγας
- καὶkaiandG2532 · καί
- ἡhētheG3588 · ὁ
- γῆgēthe earthG1093 · γῆ
- ἐφωτίσθηephōtisthēI illuminateG5461 · φωτίζω
- ἐκekfrom outG1537 · ἐκ
- τῆςtēstheG3588 · ὁ
- δόξηςdoxēshonorG1391 · δόξα
- αὐτοῦautouheG846 · αὐτός