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 The countenance, bright as noon-day sun, reveals the glory of Christ's risen body. It is also a symbol of the enlightening power of the Gospel which leaves the wicked without excuse for their wilful blindness. "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin."

17, 18. Overcome with fear and admiration St. John fell to the ground. Our Lord then revealed His identity with words of reassurance: "Fear not, for I am the Lord who arose from the dead to die no more. " " Christ rising again from the dead, dieth now no more; death shall no more have dominion over him" because He holds the keys of death and hell. The words of Christ must certainly have carried St. John back to that other scene on Mount Tabor where our Lord revealed His glory to the three Apostles some sixty-five years before.

19, 20. Christ Himself explains the meaning of the candlesticks and stars. He thus shows that the prophecies of the Apocalypse are to be understood in an allegorical sense unless the text clearly indicates a different interpretation. In some few passages the meaning is explained. In most cases the interpretation must be sought in the writings of the prophets who used like symbols to express similar truths.