As a messenger sent from God (as all angels are, Psalm 103:20; Hebrews 1:14), every angel has “great authority” (a God-given right to say and/or do as he has been instructed). Of this angel it is expressly said that he has “great authority,” which can only mean that there was something extra about his presence that communicated more persona than the average angel. The extra receives elucidation in the effect this angel had on the earth: “The earth was made bright with his glory.”