The term translated as “made bright” comes from the Greek word for “light.” When God initially created this world, the earth was dark (Genesis 1:2) till God created light (Genesis 1:3)—and some days later a source for light and heat in the sun (Genesis 1:14–19). As a result, we are accustomed to changing levels of natural light on this earth. With the fall into sin, a (metaphorical) darkness settled over God’s world. John wrote in his Gospel that Jesus Christ is “the light of men” who “shines in the darkness” (John 1:5). He gave light by being the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The evil allies of Revelation 17 (the prostitute, the beast, the kings and the horns) ganged up on “the Lamb” (Revelation 17:14), in an effort to undo the blessed work that Christ Jesus accomplished through his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. Had they triumphed, they would have plunged this world into deep (metaphorical) darkness, with no hope for “light” among mankind. As it is, “the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14); Jesus’ triumph on the cross ensured his exaltation (Revelation 5:1–14). So this fallen world can be and is characterized by light, the light of God’s gospel. The Lord sent his messenger (angel) from heaven to reassure John of the blessed effects of the Lamb’s victory: there is light for the world. This angel’s “glory,” coming as he does from God’s own presence, brightens up the whole world with the good news of the gospel. Shades of dark that readers feel as they read of the prostitute (Babylon), the beast, the kings and the horns are pushed away by the light this angel embodies. The light has overcome the dark (John 1:5); we are to understand that today’s world is no longer characterized by darkness but by light! With the coming of so much light, all works of darkness are invariably exposed (John 3:19; 1 John 1:5; 1 John 2:8–9).