What Old Testament events are reminiscent of the angel's appearance in Matthew 28:3? Focus Verse “His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.” (Matthew 28:3) Recurring Imagery of Lightning and White Garments • Lightning signals divine, awe-inspiring power. • “White as snow” speaks of purity, holiness, and heavenly origin. Key Old Testament Parallels • Daniel 10:5-6 – A heavenly messenger whose “face [was] like the brilliance of lightning.” – Both scenes feature a dazzling, fear-producing angelic figure. • Daniel 7:9 – The Ancient of Days: “His clothing was as white as snow.” – The same color description underscores heavenly purity and authority. • Ezekiel 1:13-14 – Living creatures: “lightning flashed out of it… as quickly as flashes of lightning.” – Ezekiel’s vision matches Matthew’s lightning imagery, revealing God’s throne-room environment. • Exodus 19:16 – Sinai: “thunder and lightning… so that all the people in the camp trembled.” – Like the guards at the tomb (Matthew 28:4), Israel trembled before manifestations of God’s glory. • Exodus 34:29-30 – Moses’ radiant face after meeting the LORD. – A human face glowing with divine light foreshadows the angel’s brilliance. • Judges 13:6, 20-21 – Manoah’s wife: “The man of God… was very awesome.” The angel ascended in a flame, and the couple fell facedown. – Awe, brightness, and worshipful fear parallel the reaction at the empty tomb. • Joshua 5:13-15 – The Commander of the LORD’s army appears with drawn sword; Joshua falls in reverence. – Another warrior-like angelic appearance that evokes immediate, respectful fear. Why These Parallels Matter • Together they show a consistent biblical pattern: whenever heaven breaks into earth, brilliant light and spotless whiteness accompany the moment. • The resurrection angel, therefore, fits perfectly within the established scriptural record, confirming both the reliability of Matthew’s account and the continuity of God’s self-revelation from Genesis to Revelation. |
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