Here there was no delusive manifestation, but the actual flame of fire, ascending upward toward heaven; even to the Sun its original source.
We will now turn to the Book of the Second Kings, and—in our mind's eye—join the prophets "as they walked and talked with Elijah" and witness one of the most sublime scenes the eye of man has ever beheld:
"And it came to pass as they still went on and talked, that behold there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven."
Was there not a startling, and sublime revelation, that this element controlled, can be suited, even to our enjoyment of happiness when the great change comes; when this mortal shall put on immortality?
In the Book of Malachi—the last of the Old Testament scriptures—we hear the voice of Him who had promised deliverance, speaking to us through His prophet:
"Unto you that fear my name, shall the Sun of righteousness arise."
Thus we see that the promised Messiah was spoken of as a Sun.
Turning to the record of the New Testament, we find the Saviour's advent into this world signaled by a brilliant "Star," emblematical of the Sun, shining in all its splendor, brilliancy, and beauty, and leading the wise men to where lay the "Infant of days"—the veiled "Star," or Sun, of light and immortality.
At a later day, behold Him manifesting His veiled brightness, as he stood "transfigured on the Mount" before Peter, James and John, when "His face did shine as the Sun, and His raiment white as the light."
But we deem it unnecessary to dwell upon all the symbols of fire, heat, and light, so clearly representative, which may be found interspersed throughout the Old, and the New Testament pages. We will catch up a few others as we pass along, before, in mind, taking our stand with John, the revelator, on the Isle of Patmos. St. Paul tells us,—