DARKNESS Vs LIGHT

LIGHT is that which penetrates and dispels darkness. The concept of "light" appears numerous times in both the Old and New Testaments. God created light. However, a careful reading of the Scriptures reveals that the physical entity that we call "light" is actually only the second form of light in the universe, since everywhere the Bible declares that God Himself is light.

Psa 27:1, The LORD is my light and my salvation;...

In Psalm 104:2, the psalmist testified of the Lord who "covered himself" in light.

John 8:12, Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Such expressions make at least two things abundantly clear. First, the origin of light rests with God. Second, in some sense God Himself is the very essence of light. Such statements do not suppose that God is light and nothing more, but they do stress that God is the ultimate source of all knowing and understanding. To this end Psalm 119:105 informs us that God's Word is a "light" to one's path. Here the emphasis lies upon perception and understanding gained when darkness is dispelled and light revealed.

John 3:19, "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.

Such statements reveal that the character of light is to reveal and to provide understanding and purity, while the opposite of light or darkness is designed to obscure, to deceive, and to harbor impurity.

Eph 5:14, Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. KJV

Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

A small problem confronts the interpreter who discovers that Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 5:14, "Ye are the light of the world." Yet in John 8:12, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." What appears to be a contradiction is not one at all. The moon provides light for the earth just as the sun does. Yet, the actual source of light for both the sun and the moon is the sun. The moon only reflects the light of the sun. By the same token, Jesus, the God-man, is the source of all light. His disciples become reflectors in a darkened world, transmitting through their lives the true light of the eternal Son of God.

As newsman Clarence W. Hall followed American troops through Okinawa in 1945, he and his jeep driver came upon a small town that stood out as a beautiful example of a Christian community. He wrote, "We had seen other Okinawan villages... down at the heels and despairing; by contrast, this one shone like a diamond in a dung heap. Everywhere we were greeted by smiles and dignified bows. Proudly the old men showed us their spotless homes, their terraced fields... their storehouses and granaries, their prized sugar mill."

Hall said that he saw no jails and no drunkenness, and that divorce was unknown in this village. He was told that an American missionary had come there some 30 years earlier. While he was in the village, he had led two elderly townspeople to Christ and left them with a Japanese Bible. These new believers studied the Scriptures and started leading their fellow villagers to Jesus. Hall's jeep driver said he was amazed at the difference between this village and the others around it. He remarked, "So this is what comes out of only a Bible and a couple of old guys who wanted to live like Jesus."

Eph 5:14, For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you."

The light will cause harmony to exist where confusion existed before. Walking in confusion and fighting is walking in darkness.

Rom 8:28, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1 John 1:5, And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. 9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

DARKNESS

The absence of light is used in both physical and figurative senses in both the Old and New Testaments. The darkness which covered the deep before God's creation of light symbolizes chaos in opposition to God's orderly creation.

Gen 1:2, And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

Elsewhere darkness, as well as light, is recognized as the creation of God. Darkness is a place for evil doers to hide; however, darkness does not hide one from God.

Psa 139:11, If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night," 12 Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee.

Darkness was thought of as a curse. Thus the Old Testament speaks of death as a land of darkness. Darkness is frequently associated with supernatural events involving the judgment of God, such as the plagues of Egypt, the coming of the Lord, and Christ's crucifixion. The day of God's judgment is often described as a day of darkness. Elsewhere darkness forms part of God's punishment on the disobedient.

Have you ever toured a cave? The guide will often at some point have you set down and then turn out the lights, The darkness is so thick you can almost feel it. If the guide left you there, you'd probably never find your way out. Anyone lost in a large cave could become insane within a week from the oppressive loneliness.

After about 30 seconds, often someone in the party can endure it no longer and will cry out, "Turn on the lights! I'm going crazy now!"

Think of the "outer darkness" of Hell. The Father of Heaven still invites men to the wedding feast of salvation. Through the Savior's atonement He has provided the perfect garment of righteousness that every sinner needs. You can avoid the horror of blackness that each doomed soul will experience in Hell. Without delay, receive Him who is the Eternal Light!

In the New Testament, the place of punishment for humans and sinful angels is designated "the outer darkness". Darkness often has an ethical sense. Scripture speaks of:

Ways of Darkness.

Prov 2:13, From those who leave the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness;

Walking in Darkness

John 8:12, Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."

2 Cor 6:14, Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Eph 5:8, for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

Works of Darkness

Rom 13:12, The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

In this ethical sense God has no darkness in Himself. Powers hostile to God can be termed darkness. People thus face a choice of whether to yield allegiance to God or to darkness.

Luke 22:53, "While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours."

Darkness also symbolizes ignorance, especially of God and of God's ways.

John 12:46, "I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.

1 Th 5:4, But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief;

God's deliverance (either from ignorance or hostile powers) is described as lighting the darkness.

1 Pet 2:9, But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Page created and hosted by

[Home][Sermon Notes][Guest Book][Prayer Chain][WebMaster]