"And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, (4) And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: (5) For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her."
It should seem, that this other angel was a servant of the former. Hebrews 1:14. But, observe the earnest solicitude of our Lord Jesus to inform his redeemed of all things suitable for them to know, and especially of his promises. Read what he himself saith, John 15:1. The promise that is made concerning Jerusalem, plainly proves that it was not literally Jerusalem, the city, for this Jerusalem had walls then built by Nehemiah. See Nehemiah 6:15. But it is spiritually to be considered as God's people Jerusalem, to whom he is himself their security, and for whom God hath provided salvation for walls and bulwarks. Isaiah 26:1; Ezekiel 38:11. And do not forget, Reader, to mark down with peculiar strength of expression, the Lord's gracious promise, that he himself will be both a wall of fire round about, and a glory in the midst of his people. Alluding perhaps to travelers, when traversing the desert, and places infested by beasts of prey, who make fires around them at night, which intimidate those creatures from approaching. It is a sweet and beautiful figure this, to represent Christ as the defense of his people, whose presence alone restrains the great enemy of souls, that roaring lion, from seizing the flock of Jesus. And, observe the greater beauty still of this emblem. Christ is not only a fence to secure, but a fulness of blessings to supply. He is both a sun and a shield. Jesus, that is their strength, is also their glory. See Isaiah 40:19; Revelation 21:1; Psalms 125:2. Reader! I do not think it needful to remind you of Israel's history in the wilderness, how the Lord went before them in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. Sweet type also of Jesus in his constant presence and favour to his redeemed forever. Matthew 28:20.