The Sun of the Glory of Christ
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The metaphor of the "Sun of the Glory of Christ" is a profound biblical image that encapsulates the radiant and life-giving presence of Jesus Christ. This imagery draws from both Old and New Testament scriptures, highlighting Christ's divine nature, His role in creation, and His redemptive work.

Biblical Imagery and Symbolism

The sun is a powerful symbol in the Bible, often representing God's glory, righteousness, and the illumination of truth. In Malachi 4:2, the prophet speaks of the "sun of righteousness" rising with healing in its wings, a prophecy that many Christians interpret as a reference to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. This imagery suggests that just as the sun brings light and life to the earth, Christ brings spiritual light and life to humanity.

In the New Testament, the Apostle John describes Jesus as "the true Light which gives light to every man" (John 1:9). This passage emphasizes Christ's role as the divine illuminator, dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance. The sun, as a source of physical light, serves as an apt metaphor for Christ's spiritual illumination.

Christ's Divine Glory

The glory of Christ is a central theme in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul writes, "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" . Here, the creation of light in Genesis is paralleled with the revelation of God's glory through Christ, underscoring the transformative power of His presence.

The transfiguration of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 17:2, further illustrates His divine glory: "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" . This event provides a glimpse of Christ's heavenly majesty, affirming His identity as the Son of God.

Christ as the Light of the World

Jesus Himself declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). This statement reinforces the concept of Christ as the spiritual sun, guiding believers out of darkness and into the light of truth and salvation.

The Apostle Peter also speaks to this theme, encouraging believers to "pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19). The "morning star" is another reference to Christ, symbolizing the hope and renewal He brings.

Eschatological Significance

The imagery of the sun is also present in eschatological contexts, where Christ's return is likened to the rising of the sun. In Revelation 21:23, the Apostle John describes the New Jerusalem: "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp" . This vision portrays a future where Christ's glory fully illuminates the world, rendering the physical sun unnecessary.

Conclusion

The metaphor of the "Sun of the Glory of Christ" is a rich and multifaceted biblical image that captures the essence of Christ's divine nature and His transformative impact on the world. Through this imagery, believers are reminded of the light and life that Christ brings, both now and in the age to come.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 17:2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 1:16
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shines in his strength.
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Revelation 10:1
And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was on his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
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Library

That the Righteous Shall ever Abide with Christ Our Lord we have ...
... think it difficult that they should have the brightness of the sun, and be ... are
represented as being hereafter to be conformed to the glory of Christ's body? ...
/.../46 that the righteous shall.htm

Christ the Pearl of Great Price.
... to men in darkness, and there is need of a lamp until the sun rise; and ... by which
we are introduced so as to be able to see the glory of Christ, to which the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/9 christ the pearl of.htm

Christ as Light; How He, and How his Disciples are the Light of ...
... And as when the sun is shining the moon and the ... Christ, again, the light of the world,
is the true light as ... of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/24 christ as light how.htm

The Shining of the Righteous. Its Interpretation.
... one star differeth from another star in glory: so also ... contrary says, "They shall
shine as one sun." I think ... gathers from the whole kingdom of Christ all things ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/3 the shining of the.htm

The Word Made Flesh.
... As the sun chases away darkness, so Jesus, the light of ... the Light will fill the redeemed
world with his glory. ... more plainly to the thought that Christ is the ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the word made flesh.htm

Justin Adduces Other Proofs to the Jew, who Denies that He Needs ...
... not refer to Solomon, and that this [Christ] existed before ... on until, His name endureth
before the sun, and all ... the whole earth shall be filled with His glory. ...
/.../chapter lxiv justin adduces other proofs.htm

John's Introduction.
... v.35); but not the Sun of righteousness" Malachi 4:2], but came that he might bear
witness of the light.9 There was the true ... [The glory of Christ was not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/ii johns introduction.htm

Ascension the Kingdom of Christ.
... The Kingdom of Christ. 7,7,7,7. ... And my heart with rapture beat,. Now Thy glory is
display'd,. ... Far and wide, Thou heavenly Sun,. Now Thy brightness streams abroad, ...
/.../ascension the kingdom of christ.htm

How to Become Like Christ.
... his hope that even he may one day become like Christ. ... They at once recognised that
that was the glory of God ... difficult for us to look at the sun reflected from ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/how to become like christ.htm

Psalm LXXII.
... be wanting the Church of God, that is, Christ's body on ... of the Father, this is to
endure with the sun. For the brightness of the eternal glory is understood to ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxii.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about sun worship? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org

Is it true that the sun stood still? | GotQuestions.org

Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Sun

Sun Gate

Sun: Created

Sun: Diurnal Motion of

Sun: Does not Shine in Heaven

Sun: Figurative

Sun: Kings of Judah Dedicate Horses To

Sun: Miracles Concerning: Darkening of

Sun: Rising and Setting of

Sun: Shadow of Went Back on the Sun-Dial of Ahaz

Sun: Stood Still

Sun: Worship of, Forbidden

Sun: Worshiped

Tanning

Tanning: General Scriptures Concerning

The Sun of Christ's Coming

The Sun of God's Favour

The Sun of Supreme Rulers

The Sun of the Glory of Christ

The Sun: (Before or in Sight of) of Public Ignominy

The Sun: (Darkened) of Severe Calamities

The Sun: (Going Down at Noon) of Premature Destruction

The Sun: (Its Brightness) of the Future Glory of Saints

The Sun: (Its Clearness) of the Purity of the Church

The Sun: (Its Power) of the Triumph of Saints

The Sun: (No More Going Down) of Perpetual Blessedness

The Sun: Called the Greater Light

The Sun: Clearness of Its Light Alluded To

The Sun: Compared to a Bridegroom Coming Forth from his Chamber

The Sun: Compared to a Strong Man Rejoicing to Run a Race

The Sun: Diffuses Light and Heat to all the Earth

The Sun: God: Appointed to Divide Seasons

The Sun: God: Appointed to Rule the Day

The Sun: God: Causes to Know Its Time of Setting

The Sun: God: Causes, to Rise Both on Evil and Good

The Sun: God: Created

The Sun: God: Exercises Sovereign Power Over

The Sun: God: Placed in the Firmament

The Sun: Indicates the Hours of the Day by the Shadow on the Dial

The Sun: Made to Praise and Glorify God

The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Darkened at the Crucifixion

The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Shadow Put Back on the Dial

The Sun: Miracles Connected With: Standing Still for a Whole Day in the Valley of Ajalon

The Sun: The Jews: Commenced Their Day With the Rising of

The Sun: The Jews: Commenced Their Evening With the Setting of

The Sun: The Jews: Consecrated Chariots and Horses, As Symbols of

The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the East by Rising of

The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the West by Setting of

The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the Whole Earth By, from Rising of, to Setting of

The Sun: The Jews: Forbidden to Worship

The Sun: The Jews: Made Images of

The Sun: The Jews: Worshipped

The Sun: The Power and Brilliancy of Its Rising Alluded To

The Sun: The Rays of Change the Colour of the Skin

The Sun: The Rays of Frequently Destructive to Human Life

The Sun: The Rays of Pleasant to Man

The Sun: The Rays of Produce and Ripen Fruits

The Sun: The Rays of Soften and Melt some Substances

The Sun: The Rays of Wither and Burn up the Herbs of the Field

The Sun: Worshippers of, Turned Their Faces Towards the East

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Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

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Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

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Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

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Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Sun of Supreme Rulers
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