Blinded By The Light Understanding The Things Which Are Not Seen
Light and dark are used symbolically throughout scripture to give us an understanding of things which we might not otherwise comprehend. They are even used to give us an understanding of understanding itself. This is not an introduction to mythical mysticism or meandering philosophy but a reference to Paul's statement about understanding the things which we cannot see.
"For the invisible things of him (God) from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they (men) are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools," Rom. 1:20-22.
(All scriptures are KJV unless noted otherwise.)Psa. 19 echoes Paul's statements.
The heavens declare the glory of God.
The earth's movements speak knowledge,
Where ever speech and language exists.
The heavens and firmament witness to the whole world.
The sun is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber.
Nothing is hid from the sun's heat.
The testimony of the Lord make the simple, wise.
(Psa. 19:1-8).Why is it important to understand the symbolism of light and darkness? Does Paul's experience with temporary physical blindness during his conversion from Judaism to Christianity have some deeper meaning for us? Do the "signs" of Gen.1, (the sun, moon, and stars) have some significance other than measuring time or being a useful utility? Is there more to the relationship between light and truth than just symbolism? According to Paul's statement, the answers to these and other questions can be understood from the things we can see, which would include scripture. What do we see in scripture?
"Let there be light . . " "And the earth was without form (shapeless) and void (uninhabited): and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening (dark) and the morning (light) were the first day." Gen.1:2-5.
The earth was covered by water and in total darkness. To provide light, he either created the sun in its place or moved it from somewhere else, close enough to the earth to provide heat and light, but not so close as to burn it up. Without light there would be no photosynthesis (a requirement for plant life) and therefore no physical life of any kind on this planet. More likely, the darkness was due to a heavy cloud cover that blocked the sunlight, as the earth would freeze over if the sun were not nearby. [Recent undersea discoveries reveal primitive life forms existing near volcanic vents, in total darkness. However without the sun's light and warmth, the oceans would eventually freeze over.]So the light was necessary for physical life to exist and to be sustained. In the darkness, which is an absence of light, there was no physical life.
God was the ultimate source of the light, and of the life. In James 1:17, he is called the "Father of lights". "God is the Lord, which has showed us light", Psa. 118:27.
Christ is compared to a light given by God. "Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring (or sunrising) from on high has visited us,
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:78-79.Notice that the "first day" (of approx. 24 hours) consisted of the "light" called "day" and the "darkness" called "night". Twilight is not a factor in these definitions. In Gen. 1:16, God says the "greater light" (sun) was to rule the day while the "lessor light" (moon) was to rule the night. Therefore, if the sun is above the horizon, it is "day" and if it is not above the horizon, it is "night". This is also seen in Gen.28:11, 15:17, Josh. 10:26-27, and Pro.7:9. (Although the moon is sometimes visible in the daytime, it can only "rule" (be the primary light) in the absence of the sun, or after the sun is below the horizon.)
God offers us a choice of only two options.
"See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil:"
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed (children) may live:" Deu. 30:15,19.
Light symbolizes life, and darkness symbolizes the absence of life, which is death. There is no state of "twilight" between life and death. There is no "dusk" or gray area between good and evil. In the absence of light, there is only "darkness". In the absence of good, there is only evil. In the absence of life, there is only death.Light Is Associated With Truth "O send out your light and your truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto your holy hill (God's high place, God's place for worship) and to your tabernacles (dwelling)." Psa. 43:3
"And this is the condemnation (of non-believers, v.18), that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light lest his deeds should be reproved.
But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:19-21.Light Is Associated With Understanding "The entrance (hearing) of your words gives light: it gives understanding unto the simple." Psa. 119:130.
"And I will bring the (spiritually) blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight (make the difficult, understandable). These things will I do unto them and will not forsake them." Isa. 42:16.
"For my people are foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish (silly, foolish) children, and they have no understanding: they are wise (sophisticated, cosmopolitan, or street smart) to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light." Jer. 4:22-23. (". . . this present evil world, . . .", Gal. 1:4.)"There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him;" Dan. 5:11 (also v. 12).
"The poor (humble, poor in spirit) and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lightens both their eyes." Pro.29:13. [Whether they are good or evil, their understanding, if they have any, comes from God.] It is God who gives "light" (understanding) to their eyes. (See Jonah and Ninevah.)
"Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is upon you.
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you.
And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." Isa. 60:1-3. [A prophecy of the understanding of salvation being offered to the Gentiles.]
Light Is Associated With Knowledge "Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, . . . were found in the same Daniel, . . ." Dan. 5:12.
"Then was the secret (of the king's dream) revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
And he changes the times and the seasons (sustains the earth's orbit around the sun): he removes kings and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
He reveals the deep and secret things: he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him." Dan. 2:19-22."For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor.4:6.
Light Is Associated With Righteousness "And he (God) shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday." Psa. 37:6.
"Oh Lord, my God . . .
Who covers yourself with light as with a garment: . . ." Psa. 104:1-2."Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily: and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your (rear guard)." Isa. 58:8.
"Rejoice not against me, O my enemy:
when I fall, I shall arise;
when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.
I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him,
until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me:
he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness." Micah 7:8-9.
Light Is Associated With Salvation and Eternal Life"Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12.
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." 1 Pet. 2:9-10."For you are my lamp. O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.
You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your gentleness has made me great." 2 Sam. 22:29, 36."For my eyes have seen your salvation,
Which you have prepared before the face of all the people:
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." Luke 2:30-32."For with you is the fountain of life: in your light shall we see light." Psa. 36:9.
Light Is Associated With God's Law And Judgments "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life." Pro. 6:23.
"Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and my arms shall judge the people; . . .". Isa. 51:4-5."Therefore have I hewed them (cut them down) by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth and your judgments are as the light that goes forth." Hosea 6:5.
Light Is Used To Describe God's Appearance ". . . (God's) glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
And his brightness was as the light; he had horns (bright beams of light) coming out of his hand: . . . ". Hab. 3:3-4."The Lord is my light and my salvation: . . " Psa. 27:1.
"Where shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me."
Psa. 139:7, 11."O house of Jacob, come you, and let us walk in the light of the Lord." Isa. 2:5.
"His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude." Dan. 10:6.
"And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones." Isa. 30:30.
Light Is Associated With "Good Works" "And if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noonday." Isa. 58:10.
Light Is Associated With Christ's Gospel (Good News) "In whom the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Cor. 4:4.
Light And Darkness Are Compared to Good and Evil "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isa. 5:20.
"But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day (the Day of the Lord, Christ's return).
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble." Pro. 4:18-19."And when they shall say unto you, 'Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?'
(Look) To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:19-20."I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things." Isa. 45:7. [Note, God created Lucifer (Heb. "morning star") perfect, but he became evil and known as Satan (opponent). God allows Satan to work as part of God's long range plan which will eventually benefit all mankind. God is not evil, but he is in charge of all that exists. The evil which men suffer is brought upon themselves individually or collectively.]
"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single (if your thoughts are single minded, not double minded), your whole body shall be full of light.
But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness!
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. . . . " Mat. 6:22-24.
"Take heed therefore that the light which is in you be not darkness.
If you whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle does give you light." Luke 11:35-36.Isa. 59:1-8 discusses the sins of the Jews. Verses 9-10 explain, "Therefore is judgment far from us, neither does justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men."
(Verses 11-15 continue the discussion of their sins, that we might learn from their mistakes.)Paul spoke about his commission from God to the Gentiles: "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
"That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." Acts 26:18, 23."Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness: and what communion has light with darkness?" 2 Cor. 6:14.
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:5-8.
"Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: Because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines.
He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now."
1 John 2:8-9 (see also verses 10-11)."The light of the righteous rejoices: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out."
Pro. 13:9."Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness." Ecc. 2:13.
Eph. 5:3-5 lists the works of the flesh (evil works), which are compared to "darkness". "For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Eph. 5:8.
"But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever makes manifest is light.
Wherefore he said, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the (spiritually) dead, and Christ shall give you light." Eph. 5:13-14."Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us meet (suitable) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear son:" Col. 1:12-13.
Darkness Is Associated With Punishment And Death "Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and my eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, . . ." Jer. 13:16-17.Jeremiah also records a prophecy against Babylon which can be considered to have a dual fulfillment, one past, one yet to come. "Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts; Because you have not heard (been responsive to) my words, . . .
I will . . . utterly destroy (you) . . .
Moreover . . . I will take from them . . . the light of the candle.
And this whole land shall be a desolation, . . " Jer. 25:8-11.Revelation contains more about the future fulfillment of the punishment upon "Babylon".
" . . . Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. (Babylon is symbolic of ". . . this present evil world, . . .", Gal. 1:4)
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in you: . . ." Rev. 18:21, 23.Ezekiel contains a prophecy against Egypt which had a previous fulfillment and obviously has another to come. "And when I shall put you out (extinguish, like a light), I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.
All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and set darkness upon your land, says the Lord God.
I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shall bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries which you have not known." Eze. 32:7-9."Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.
As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it" Amos 5:18-20. In other words, things really are going to get worse.Christ is compared to a fire, which gives light, and also destroys the wicked.
"Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day:" Isa. 10:16-17.
Christ Is The "Light" "Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12.
"Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes.
While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. . . . "
"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believes on me should not abide in darkness." John 12:35-36,"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined." Isa. 9:2. (See also verses 3-8).
"The people which sat in darkness saw great light (Christ); and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." Mat. 4:16.
"That (Christ) was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world."
John 1:9."A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." Luke 2:32.
"In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shined in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not." John 1:4-5."And this is the condemnation (of non-believers), that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:19.
"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:5.
The Light Is Given To The Righteous "Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous." Psa. 112:4.
We Are To Be Led By The Light "O send out your light and your truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto your holy hill (your place of worship), and to your tabernacles (your dwelling places)." Psa. 43:3.
(Note, David was not talking about church buildings or synagogues, neither of which had been invented yet. See Psa. 139:7, 11.)"Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psa. 119:105.
(See John 1:1-5, ". . .the Word was with God . . .". and Proverbs 30:5, "Every word of God . . .".)"Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12.
"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way: and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." Ex. 13:21-22.
We Are To Be Clothed With Light "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." (Rom.13:11-12).
We Are To Be Lights Christ said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:5. But he is no longer "in the world". He is now at God's throne (Jn. 16:28). But we are "in the world" (Jn. 17:11, 15, 18-26).
"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
And you yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open unto him immediately." Luke 12:35-36.
In the parable of the virgins, the wise were ready, with oil in their lamps, when the bridegroom came (Mat. 25:1-13). At the Passover of Exodus, the meal was to be eaten "with your loins girded", ready to travel. Therefore, their lights would have been "burning" (Ex. 12:1-39, esp. verses 11-12)."That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world;" Phil. 2:15.
"I the Lord have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles:" Isa. 42:6.
"And he said, It is a light (small or easy) thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation unto the end of the earth." Isa. 49:6
[This applies to Isaiah, whose message is still being "heard" today and to those who repeat Isaiah's words to the world, (Mat. 10:41).]John the Baptizer was a "light". "He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light." John 5:35. See also verses 32-34.
Paul and Barnabas were "lights" to the Gentiles, Acts 13:47, 26:23."What I tell you in darkness, that speak you in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach you upon the housetops." Mat. 10:27.
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Mat. 5:14-16. (Also Luke 8:16-18, 11:3-36).
What Is Light To A Blind Person?
Some people who are "legally blind" can still see a difference between light and dark. Paul, speaking about understanding the things of God, described our imperfect or partial understanding as, "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then (in the future) face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.", 1 Cor. 13:12. In other words, we look forward to the time when we shall see God and the things of God as clearly as He sees us.But what if you have no vision at all? What is light to someone with no eyes? To someone who has never seen it, light is only a concept described by others. Having someone describe it for you is not the same as experiencing it for yourself.
If you are blind you must depend upon others to tell you whether there is light or darkness. If they lie, how would you know the difference? If they don't understand the extent of their own blindness, how will that affect your future?
One of Christ's parables asked, and answered, ". . .Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?", Luke 6:39.Regarding the Pharisees (the respected leaders and teachers of the religious mainstream) Christ said, "Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.", Mat. 15:14.
"And Jesus said, for judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Jesus said unto them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.", John 9:39-41.
If the educated and respected religious leaders couldn't recognize their own blindness, how can the ordinary "publican" (Lk. 18:9-14) recognize it in himself or in others?
Diagnosing Blindness Peter wrote, in the context of receiving salvation, " . . . add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (love).
But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, . . . ". 2 Pet. 1:5-9.Christ answered the Pharisees' question about blindness by speaking about sin (John 9:39-41 above).
John wrote, "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.", 1 John 1:5-8.
An awareness of our sins, which are defined by God's law (Rom. 7:7, 12), is necessary to overcome blindness, as we see in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Lk. 18:9-14).
Spiritual blindness is beyond the scope of this article and deserves to be addressed separately and at length. But the overlap between the subject of spiritual blindness and the symbols of light and darkness are clearly stated by the apostles and the prophets.Jeremiah described an inhabited world that was [and is] as dark, spiritually, as the pre-Adamic world was dark, physically. In utter darkness, there is no light and no sight, because there is no life. [Jer. 4:19-31, and "Let there be light . . " (see above)].
The spiritually blind are described as being dead. In response to a reluctant disciple, Christ said, ". . . Follow me; and let the (spiritually) dead bury their (physically) dead.", Mat. 8:22.
Seeing A Light That Isn't There The human eye can work with the human mind in such a way that we can believe we saw things that weren't there or never happened. That is why illusionists or "magicians" can attract large audiences. That is why eyewitness accounts of an accident will often be contradictory. Can we suffer "illusions" about our own light or the light of others?
The Pharisee of the parable was under the illusion that he was righteous (Luke 18:9-14).
Job was under the illusion that God was persecuting him unfairly (Job).God warned, through Isaiah, "Behold, all you that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that you have kindled, This shall you have of my hand; you shall lie down (die) in sorrow."
"Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of his servant (the prophets), that walks in darkness, and has no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay (rely, depend) upon his God.", Isa. 50:11, 10.
Christ said, "Take heed therefore that the light which in you be not darkness.", Luke 11:35. (See Mat. 7:21-23 regarding "many" calling themselves "Christians" and doing "wonderful works" rejected by Christ for working "iniquity".)
And, ". . . If any man walk in the day, he stumbles not, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.", John 11:9-10.
Regarding the 1st century controversy among the "Christian" Jews about the circumcision of converted Gentiles, Paul wrote, "Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the law, and make your boast of God,
And are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes . . ."
(verses 20-23 point out their hypocrisy)
"For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, . . .", Rom. 2:17-24.With specific reference to ministers who proclaim their own righteousness, Paul wrote, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light,
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their works.", 1 Cor. 11:13-15.According to Christ, the disciples and the prophets, some of those who claim to be ministers of "light" are actually ministers of Satan. When one cannot distinguish between "light" and "darkness", that person is said to be "blind".
Christ said he came, as a "light", so that the blind could see. He also said that those who could "see" would become blind, like the Pharisee of the parable in Luke 18:9-14.
Paul "Sees the Light", and Becomes Blind Paul, a Pharisee, was a principal enemy of the followers of Christ, tracking them down, persecuting them, imprisoning them and even having them killed (Acts 9:1-2; 26:10).
God, in whose image we were given a sense of humor and an understanding of irony, confronted Paul. This led to his conversion, and to his apostleship to the Gentiles (a term used then, for non-Jews and also for Israelites who did not practice Judaism). But the manner of Paul's conversion was unique.Paul (known as Saul prior to his conversion) thought he was already doing "the work of the Lord". He was on his way to Damascus to search for more people to arrest when Christ "appeared" (Acts 26:16) to him in the form of a light brighter than the sun at mid day. The contrast was literal since it was the middle of the day (v. 13).
There were others with Paul, who saw the light and heard a voice. But they neither went blind, nor understood what the voice said (Acts 22:9, 11; 9:7)(perhaps because Christ spoke in the current tongue of the Palestinian "Hebrews" which was Aramaic, or perhaps because the others only spoke Greek, the international language of that day, even for Palestine. Or perhaps as a demonstration of how you can see without seeing and hear without hearing, Mat. 13:14.)This event demonstrates several things. One is that you may think you are doing "the work of God" based on scripture or tradition or both, and be totally wrong. Another is that Christ can appear to you in broad daylight, brighter than the sun and speaking aloud, and you can go your way, totally clueless and still unconverted (as those with Paul did).
Paul had physical sight and believed that he had great spiritual insight and righteousness, at least by the measure of his mainstream religious contemporaries (but he later called it all "dung", Phil. 3:5-8). He probably thought of himself as a "light" to others. But in the presence of Christ, he became just another blind man, stumbling and falling down.
Paul, who could see (as the world "sees") was in the darkness described by Jeremiah (Jer. 4:23). In the presence of Christ's light, Paul became physically blind, recognized his spiritual blindness, and became receptive to the spiritual light of God's truth. Upon Paul's conversion, Christ gave him spiritual light and later restored the light of physical sight. So Paul, who thought he could "see" and was in the "light", was actually "blind" and in "darkness", until Christ, who blinded him, gave him "sight" which is "light".
To those who were with Paul, the light probably seemed to be just lightning.
(Compare, "His countenance was like lightning, . . . ", Mat. 28:3. ". . . his face did shine like the sun, and his raiment was as light as the light.", Mat. 17:2. ". . . dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; . . .", 1 Tim. 6:16.)
To Paul's companions, the voice probably seemed to be just thunder.
(Compare, ". . . Then came there a voice from heaven, . . . ". "The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: . . . ". John 12:28-29.)
To Paul, it was an "appearing" of Christ and a conversation with him. To the others, it was probably just a freak lightning storm on a clear day. Which is similar to how Christ described his Second Coming.
Like Lightning
"For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Mat. 24:27.
"For as the lightning, that lightens out of the one part under heaven, shines unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day." Luke 17:24.John in his vision of heaven describes, "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: . . . ", Rev. 4:5.
". . . I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.", Rev. 18:1.
Since Revelation shows a union of nations fighting against Christ at his return, apparently the majority of the world will be almost as clueless as were Paul's companions (Rev. 17:12-18).
Can You See The Signs? When the disciples asked Christ about the end of the world, he described great signs in the heavens (Mat. 24:29-30), including the sun, moon and stars becoming dark or disappearing. He said, "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: . . .", (Mat. 24:29-30).
When he was on earth as a man, he said that the only sign (of his messiahship) that would be given, was the "sign of the prophet Jonah". After three days and nights of being in darkness (inside the fish), Jonah appeared in Nineveh to announce it's impending destruction (Mat. 12:40; Jonah 1:17).
Even the Pharisees understood Christ to mean his time in the grave (Mat. 27:63).
Christ reappeared on earth, alive, after three days and nights in the grave (Luke 24:13-35), proving that he is the Messiah.In Gen. 1, God calls the sun and moon, "signs". The Hebrew word translated as signs is owth, which means "a signal (lit. or fig.), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy or evidence." (Strong's 226). Genesis explains that these "lights" are "for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights . . . to give light upon the earth." (Gen. 1:14-15). Their functional purpose as lights is the last reason given for their presence. The earth's orbit around the sun gives us years and seasons. Seasons are necessary for plants and animals. The days and nights are due to the earth's rotation on its axis and are beneficial for the rest cycles of men and animals, as well as being necessary for many plants to reproduce.
The first reason for their presence is not for seasons or for lights. The first reason for their presence is for "signs" meaning signals, monuments, omens, and evidence. Paul was inspired to write that we could understand the invisible from the visible."For the invisible things of him (God) from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they (men) are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools," Rom. 1:20-22.Did you ever wonder why we have only one sun and one moon while some planets have several moons, and stars like our sun are often found in clusters? In the context of Paul's statement, did you ever think about understanding God or the Creation and our place in it, while looking at the Creation above and around us?
Between the Creation and scripture, there is a lot to notice and to consider.
The Sun1. In our view from earth, which is the perspective God gave us, the sun is the brightest object in the sky. The others are all pale by comparison. Our part of the universe, which is the only place we as physical beings can inhabit, has only one sun, which God called, "the greater light" (Gen. 1:16).
There is one "God, the Father" (Deu. 4:35; 1 Sam. 2:2; Isa. 44:6, 8; 45:5, 6, 14, 18, 21, 22; 46:9).
2. Without the sun's light and warmth, there would be no physical life on earth.
Without God, there would be no life in either the physical or spiritual worlds (Gen. 1).
3. The sun produces light of itself (although as a physical thing, it was created by God). It appears to us as a self-sustaining energy source.
God is omnipotent (all-powerful) (Job 42:2, Mat. 19:26, Isa. 44:6) and self-existent ("I Am", Ex. 3:14), and eternal (Psa. 90:2, Isa. 57:15.)
4. If we stare at the face of the sun, we will become physically blind, and be "in the darkness".
As we saw above, darkness is equated with death. God said no man could look on him and live (Ex. 33:20).
5. Astronomically, our galaxy, including earth, is oriented around our sun. But everything in space is mapped and measured by man as seen from earth. This means our view of the creation places man as the center of the universe. From the 1633 until about 1866, the works of Copernicus and Galileo were banned by the Catholic church because these early astronomers explained that the sun and not the earth is the center of our galaxy. In Oct. 1992, the Vatican acknowledged that there was room for more than one point of view. Apparently they still don't believe it.
"Professing themselves to be wise, they became as fools." Rom. 1:22. See also Isa. 46.
The Moon 1. The moon is called a "light" (Gen. 1:16).
Christ is a "light" (Jn. 8:12), the "light of the world" (Jn. 8:12, 9:5, 12:46), a "light to guide the nations" (Isa. 42:6) and the "true Light" (Jn. 1:9).
2. The moon is a bare rock.
Christ is called "the Rock" (1 Cor. 10:4), and a "stone" (Mat. 21:42).
3. The moon's movements are very complex and there is much confusion over the scheduling of the feast days (because of men's blindness, not because of God's complex creation).
Christ is called the "stone of stumbling" and a "rock of offense" (1 Pet. 2:8).
4. We have only one moon that orbits the earth, which God called, "the lessor light" (Gen. 1:16).
There is only one Christ the Messiah (1 Cor. 8:6).
5. The moon is the second brightest light in our part of the universe.
Christ is the son of God (Mat. 3:17).
6. The moon does not and cannot produce light of itself.
Christ said he could of himself, do nothing (Jn. 5:19, 30).
7. The moon reflects the light of the one sun (but not of any other sun or of the stars).
Christ said "he that has seen me has seen the Father", (Jn. 14:7-9).
8. When the moon approaches the sun at conjunction, we have only "one" light, not two.
Christ said, "I and my Father are one." (Jn. 10:30).
9. From the position of the sun, the fully illuminated moon (full moon) would be in conjunction with the earth.
Christ prayed that we would be "one" as he and the Father are "one" (Jn. 17:11).
10. The moon is closer to us than the sun.
God does not dwell with man (Deu. 31:17-18, Psa. 89:46; Eze. 39:27-29). Christ said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the world", (Mat. 28:20).
11. All the objects in space conform to general rules except our moon. It didn't break off from the earth and earth's gravity is too weak to have captured it from space. According to the rules, it shouldn't be here. According to the rules, it's in the wrong plane of orbit and it's too close to the earth. Nothing else in space has so many variables in its movement (almost 1,500 according to The Flammarion Book of Astronomy, 1964, p. 101).
Christ is the only spirit being to have experienced being human. He broke all the rules of human existence, living a perfect life, being resurrected as a spirit, and going to the throne of God (1 Pet. 2:22; Acts 2:31-32, Jn. 3:13, Heb. 12:2).
12. The moon orbits the earth.
" . . .he that trusts in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about." (Psa.32:10) ("compass" means "revolve" around, travel in a "circuit").
Christ spoke of placing a hedge around us (encircle like a wall)(Mk. 12:1).13. Its orbit regularly brings it between us and the sun. No other object in space comes between us and our sun.
Christ is the sole mediator between man and God (1 Tim. 2:5).
14. The moon's orbit always leads us back to the sun.
Christ leads us to the Father (Jn. 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17).
15. Even when the moon comes directly between us and the sun, it cannot overwhelm the sun's light. A total lunar eclipse of the sun can only cover a part of the earth at any one time, never the whole earth at once. Otherwise we would be in total darkness.
Christ is subject to the Father and directs us to worship the Father, not himself. If we worship any other god but the Father, we have sinned (Ex. 20:1-5) and are in darkness (1 Jn. 1:5-10).
16. The moon disappears for approximately 3 days each month. An expression exists in mythology, so old it cannot be dated, that "the 'old man' moon dies and is in the earth for three days and nights".
The one sign given to man that Christ was the Messiah was that he would be in the grave for three days and nights (Mat. 12:39-40).
To follow Christ's example (baptism by John), we must also symbolically "die and be buried" before we can "live" in Christ (2 Tim.3:12) and walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). The Heb word for "new moon" means "newness" or "newly illuminated". As we saw above, light is equated with righteousness.
17. When the moon first appears after the 3 days of darkness, it is just after the sun sets but before total darkness.
Christ was buried just before sunset (Mat. 27:57-60, Mk. 15:42-46, Lk. 23:52-54, John 18:31-42). Three full days later would also be near sunset (not sunrise). (When Mary arrived at the tomb "in the morning", Christ was already gone. Mat. 28:1-6, Mk. 16:1-6, Lk. 24:1-6, Jn. 20:1-2).
18. When the moon first appears, it is not fully illuminated or in its full "glory".
Christ told Mary, after his resurrection, that he was not yet glorified (Jn. 20:16-17).
19. When the moon is full, (fully illuminated) we can still look at it.
After Christ had been to the Father and was glorified, he returned and appeared to many people (Acts 1:3).
20. From our point of viewing on earth, the moon disappears as it approaches its conjunction with the sun. Later it reappears to us.
When Christ left, or disappeared from, the earth, he went to the Father (Jn. 13:1, 3, 14:12, 28, 16:10, 16, 17, 28, 20:17, Rev. 3:21). He shall return (Jn. 14:3, 28, Acts 1:11).
21. The moon's phases are sometimes called "new", "old", and the "dark" phase.
Christ, "which is, and which was, and which is to come;" (Rev. 1:4).22. The moon first appears to us as its orbit takes it away from the sun.
Christ first came to us from the Father (Jn. 12:49, 16:28).
23. The moon did not split off from the earth. This theory was disproved when it was discovered that the moon contains minerals not found on earth.
Christ came to the earth from God. (Mat. 1:18-23, Lk. 1:26-35).
24. The moon is very similiar but not identical in composition to the earth.
Christ was born of woman. He was human when he was here. But he was begotten by the Holy Spirit of God, not by man (Mat. 1:18-23, Lk. 1:26-35).
25. The moon orbits the earth and is called "the earth's moon". But in astronomical reality, it is more a satellite of the sun and its magnetic pull, than it is of the earth. (Flammarion Book of Astronomy, p.155.)
Christ is called both the "son of God", which he was first, and also "the son of Man".
26. Throughout human history the first visible crescent has been associated with the beginning of the month. (Only within the relatively young science of astronomy has the term "new moon" been adapted to refer to the invisible moon beginning after the moment of conjunction.)
God instructed Israel to sound trumpets at the beginning of the months, Num. 10:10.
The "new moon" is the beginning of the month, 1 Sam. 20:5-6.
The feast of Trumpets is on the first day of the seventh month, Lev. 23:23-25.There are a number of details given in scripture about the events leading up to, during, and just after the Second Coming of Christ. One part says that "every eye shall see him" (Rev. 1:7) indicating a fully public arrival announced by great and loud trumpets out of heaven (Rev. 8-11).
Some believe that Christ's next return will be on the Feast Day of Trumpets.27. Another part of prophecy, explained by Christ himself, says that his coming will be like a thief in the night, in other words, unexpected, (Mat. 24:42-44, Rev. 16:15) at a time which no man knows(Mat. 25:13). Therefore, we are told to "watch".
While the dark phase of the moon is approximately 3 days, because of the many variations in the cycles of the earth and moon in relation to the sun, it can be more or less than three days. According to professional astronomers who spend years watching and measuring, it is impossible by observation alone to know exactly when a new crescent will be visible. It is possible by calculation to know when it ought to be visible. It is also possible, by continually updating their models and calculations to know when it should be visible under ideal conditions. But this is based upon one being awake and watching for it. Even if you have everything correctly calculated, if you are "blind", you will not see it.
In some months, the first visible crescent is so faint and so near the horizon, that it is visible only for a few minutes and only by concentrated observation in a specific part of the sky. Much like a thief might be difficult to spot, and who could quickly disappear in the darkness.
In Christ's parable of the virgins, all of them are expecting and waiting for the groom but half are in the wrong place when the time comes. In the parable, the wise hear the call and go out to meet the groom in the darkness. (Mat. 25:6-10). When the foolish return later, the door remains closed, so that only the wise are allowed to see him.In Mat. 24:27, Christ's return is described as "lightning" and with every eye seeing him. This is not the same manner as a "thief" in the night. It is not the same as virgins being called "at midnight" (Mat. 25:6). In addition, the Israelites came out of Egypt, "by night", to go into the "wilderness" to meet with and offer their sacrifices to God.
In 1 Cor. 15:52, we are told that the dead shall rise first at the sound of a trumpet, then we which are alive shall be changed and shall rise to meet him in the air". In Rev. 11:1-12, the two witnesses, who have been dead for 3 days (same period as the moon's dark phase and Christ's time in the grave) are resurrected and told, "to come up here", which indicates that they also rise to meet Christ in the air.
God's feast days (Lev. 23) are linked to the two agricultural seasons of Palestine with its spring and fall harvests. But the feasts were to be observed "three times in the year" (Ex. 23:14, 17, Deu. 16:16). The spring harvest began after the wave sheaf was offered on the second day of unleavened bread. The fall harvest would normally be finished before the "fall" holy days. The third time or "feast" refers to Pentecost. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was sent to Christ's followers who had gathered and were waiting for the promised "comforter" that Christ said he would send (Jn. 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7).
Christ is called the Comforter (Jn.14:16-18). And he referred to the Holy Spirit as "another" comforter (same verses). Pentecost is counted from the second day of Unleavened Bread and would be after the completion of the spring harvest or harvest of firstfruits. We are called firstfruits (Jas. 1:18). Revelation speaks of a harvest being ready (Rev. 14:15). The first harvest of Palestine is in the spring not the fall.When we put it all together, we see some "chosen ones" hearing a call to go out to meet the groom, in the darkness. The dead are resurrected from their darkness of the grave and the two witnesses from the darkness of three days of death. All are associated with the "sign of the Son of man" or the period of darkness.
Sometime after this, we have "every eye" seeing Christ appearing as "lightning" and as the sun.28. The moon has always appeared as a "lessor light" than the sun, even during the night. In Isaiah, when the Lord comes with "anger", the moon is described as having its light increased to equal that of the sun (Isa. 30:26-27).
"Spiritual darkness" is compared to our night time (Pro. 4:18-19). During this darkness, Christ came to bring light (Lk. 1:78-79), but not as a "greater light". He came humbly, as a man, riding a donkey (Mat. 5:21:5). At his Second Coming, he is seen riding a horse (a war animal) and "to make war". A description of him includes "flames of fire". Mal. 4:2 calls him the "Sun of righteousness". In the vision of Mat. 17:2, "his face did shine as the sun". When Christ "appeared" to Paul, he was a light 'brighter than the sun' (Acts 26:13). [Even so, the sun's light at the time of the end, will still be greater by 700% (Isa. 30:26)].
29. The full moon is by men said to "be in opposition" to the sun.
Some believe that Christ did away with his Father's laws, that Christ is more merciful than the Father. Some also believe that this is true for Mary, in opposition to Christ.
Scripture shows, that in the context of Christ's return, the moon is described as appearing as bright as the sun and the sun's light increased by 700% (Isa. 30:26-27). It is the nations of the world that are in opposition to Christ and "make war" against him (Rev. 17:14).
30. The moon's phases begin and end with the conjunction.
Christ is called the "Alpha and the Omega" (Rev. 1:8), the Beginning and the End (Rev. 22:13), the "First and the Last" (Rev. 1:17,18; 2:8; 22:13). Gen. 1 refers to "in the Beginning" and Revelation 10:6 declares "that there should be time no longer".
31. God defines the day as beginning at sunset (Gen. 1:5). The first crescent is seen just after sunset.
Christ is called the Bright and Morning Star" (Rev. 22:16) and the "day star that rises" (2 Pet. 1:19).
32. During each month the moon "waxes", increases in illumination.
We are to "walk in the light" (1 Jn. 1:7) and to "increase in knowledge" (Pro. 1:5, 2 Cor. 9:10).
33. In the middle of each month, the moon is at its fullest illumination.
The spring feast of Unleavened Bread and the fall Feast of Tabernacles both begin at the full moon, the 15th of the lunar month (Lev. 23:6, 34). These are feasts of rest from work and of rejoicing and abundance.
34. As the moon "wanes", decreases in illumination, the stars become more prominent, in the night.
We are compared to the stars (Gen. 22:17, 26:4; Ex. 32:13; Deu. 1:10, 10:22, 28:62; 1 Chrn. 27:23; Neh. 9:23; Heb. 11:8-12).
The Stars 1. The angels are called stars (Job 38:7; Jude 6, 13; Rev. 1:10). When Lucifer became evil, 1/3 of the angels followed him (Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-19). Rev. 12:3-4 describes a great red dragon, whose tail drew 1/3 of the stars of heaven".
The constellation Draco forms a semicircle around the North Star. Within its latitude Draco covers 1/3 of the sky's stars.
Job 26:13 says, "his hand formed the crooked serpent".2. Lucifer (Heb. "morning star") was also originally called "son of the morning" (Isa. 14:12).
Christ is now called the Bright and Morning Star" (Rev. 22:16) and the "day star that rises" (2 Pet. 1:19).
3. The earth's rotation is on an axis oriented approximately toward the North Star, but not exactly. Magnetic north and celestial north are never the same. The earth "wobbles" on its axis and this movement describes a circle in the area of the North Star.
Man was created by God in his own image. God's way of life is described as being straight and narrow and "few there be who find it" (Mt.7:14). This is another way of saying that most of the world has not found the path, but stumble in the dark like a drunk (Pro. 4:19; Isa. 59:1-10; 1 Ths. 5:1-7).
4. As one astronomer described it, there are "billions and billions of stars" out there. No one on earth knows how many.
Abraham's descendants are compared in number to the stars of heaven. Gen. 22:17, 15:5, 26:4, Ex. 32:13, Deu. 1:10, 10:22, 28;26, 1 Chrn. 27:23, Neh. 9:23, Heb. 11:12.
Regarding the stars, "He (God) tells (knows) the number of the stars, he calls them all by their names".
He knows our names, even how many hairs are on our heads (Mat. 10:30).
When we look at the night sky, we are looking at the symbol of the family of God, "a city" of "lights" set on a "hill" (Mat. 5:14).5. Since ancient times, it was known that some of the "stars" moved across the sky. They were termed "planets" which literally means "wanderer".
We are called "strangers" and "pilgrims" which refers to one who travels or wanders (Heb. 11:13, Hos. 9:17).
6. We can find nothing in space that does not move. The earth's wobble on its axis causes the "pole star" to be different stars at different times over a cycle of 25,780 years, after which it still does not close back upon itself but begins a different circle. ". . . it can be said that in our Universe . . . noting can give us the notion of absolute rest." (Flammarion Book of Astronomy, 1964, p. 42).
Christ said, "I will give you rest" (Mat. 11:28).
7. From observation of the stars it has become apparent that our galaxy is moving toward an area in the northern sky between the constellations of Hercules and Lyra, close to the star Herculis. We are moving away from the neighborhood of Sirius and are moving toward this point, called the Solar Apex at the rate of 1,075,000 miles per day or 390,000,000 miles per year. (Flammarion, pp. 52-53).
(In mythology, Hercules was the son of a god and a human woman.)"No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me, draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day." (Jn. 6:44).
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (Jn. 12:32).
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. . . ." (Jas. 4:8).8. This point where we are heading is not far from the head of Draco, the dragon, which faces Hercules.
". . .and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God and to his throne." (Rev. 12:4-5).
9. Some stars burn out.
Not everyone will be in the kingdom of God. Job 18:15, "the light of the wicked shall be put out."
10. The stars are always present in the sky. We just can't see them when the sun is present. At night the moon is the brightest light. Once every month the moon disappears and the stars are the only light.
The stars were created to be "lights" (Jer. 31:35). Christ called us "lights" (Mat. 5:14). While he was on earth, he was the "light of the world" (Jn. 8:12). Now we are the "lights" in the world. (Phil. 2:15) Christ said that "except for the elect's sake the whole world would be destroyed" Mat. 24:3, 22). Without "light", nothing could live.
11. From earth, the sun appears as the brightest star, the moon is the second brightest object in our sky, and the stars are the smallest or least of the lights.
"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:" (1 Cor.15:41-42).
Is Someone Going To Turn Out The Lights? In Isa. 13:9-10, the "day of the Lord" (Christ's return) is described with the sun, moon and stars becoming dark and giving no light. In Rev. 21:23, the new Jerusalem is described as having no need for the sun or the moon because the ''glory" of God and Christ fully illuminate it.
Is God going to turn off the "lights" of Genesis?In Psa. 148, David sings about the "sun, moon and stars" (the physical creation) praising God. In Genesis 1, God described the entire creation as being "good". Any good work reflects positively on its creator.
In Jer. 31:35-37, God compares the permanency of his covenant with Israel to the permanency of the light of the sun, moon and stars. If something is good and permanent, and a symbolic memorial, why would it be eliminated?In Isa. 30:26 we are told that the moon will be as bright as the sun and the sun's light increased 700%. If this referred to the physical lights then the earth would be destroyed instantly with everything in it. The distance between the earth and the sun is so critical that a slight decrease, and the earth would explode in flame like a cedar tree in a forest fire. For the same reason, if the lights go out as described in Isa.13, and stay out indefinitely, the earth would soon become a complete ball of ice.
If we put it all together, there is a period of darkness, called "the sign of the son of man in the heavens" (Mat. 24:30) which is three days of darkness. This may well be a darkness similar to that of the plague of darkness in Egypt, in which they could not see one another, even with torches (Ex. 10:21-23). It also lasted for three days, and was the final plague just prior to the Passover.
(Christ is our Passover, 1 Cor. 5:7).
(The earth would not ice over in three days, but it would cool off.)"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you." (Isa. 60:2).
This darkness is followed by the sight of God's glory.
At night, when the moon is full, it is difficult to see stars in the vicinity of the moon. It's not that they aren't there and shining, its just that the brightness of the moon prevents us from seeing them. At high noon, when the moon approaches conjunction with the sun, we can't see the moon. Neither can we see any stars during the main part of the day. They are there and shining but the brightness of the sun prevents us from seeing them.
In Isa. 30:26 we are told that the moon will be as bright as the sun and the sun's light increased 700%. In the many scriptural analogies above, the sun represents the Father and the moon represents Christ. Verse 27 of Isaiah explains that, "Behold, the name of the Lord (note that the name is not considered as something separate, such as a magic word) comes from far, burning with his anger, . . . his tongue as a devouring fire;". "And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones." (verse 30).
When Christ "appeared" to Paul, it was with a brightness greater than the sun (Acts 26:13).
Notice that Rev. 21:23 does not say that there is no sun or moon, simply that they aren't needed for illumination because the "glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
Remember that in Gen. 1:14-15, providing illumination was only one of the purposes given for the "lights" and that it was the last one mentioned.Zech. 14 describes the day of the Lord. "Behold, the day of the Lord comes, . . . ".
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark;
But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light."Verse 7, mentions "evening" which indicates that the sun has set. Verse 8 mentions summer and winter which relate to the earth's annual orbit around the sun. Verses 12-16 discusses the punishment upon the people who fight against Jerusalem (and Christ), including a plague upon the livestock. In verse 16, the survivors will be observing the feast of Tabernacles, an agriculturally related festival which is scheduled according to the appearance of the moon. Verse 17 mentions the withholding of rain as a punishment upon the disobedient. So it appears that the sun and moon are still functioning after Christ's return.
Finally, notice that the sun and moon are not needed "in the new Jerusalem". It does not say that they are not needed, or non-existent, outside of Jerusalem.
In Isa. 60:20, "Your sun shall no more go down; . . ."
We shall no longer dwell in spiritual darkness, and the earth shall no longer have "darkness" upon it (Gen.1:2). God will no longer withdraw from mankind.Verse 20, ". . . neither shall your moon withdraw itself: . . ."
Christ, whose proof of messiahship and whose return to the Father is pictured by the moon each month, shall reign over the kingdoms of the earth "for ever and ever" (Rev. 11:15).Verse 20, " . . . for the Lord shall be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended."
The mourning was for Christ, by his confused disciples, while he was in the grave (Mk. 16:10; Lk. 24:13-53; esp. Jn. 14:28).The mourning is by the righteous, for all wicked men (Isa. 57:17-18, Mat. 5:4).
There is, "A time to mourn and a time to dance" (Ecc. 3:4). A time to rejoice (Phil. 4:4; 1 Ths. 5:16).
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready." (Rev. 19:7).
". . . Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. . . ." (Verse 9).There are some who have "light".
"And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go you out to meet him. . . . And they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." (Mat. 25:6, 10).There are some who don't have "light", and who "buy" a cheap substitute.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." (Mat. 25:6, 10-12).There are some who are blinded by the "light".
"Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity." (Mt. 7:22-23).When Paul was blinded by the light of Christ's appearing, he asked, "Who are you, Lord?", (Acts 9:1-5).
In a discussion with Moses, God said, "You can not see my face: for there shall no man see me and live." (Ex. 33:20).
In Revelation, fire, which produces light, is frequently associated with the appearance or activity of God or Christ.
". . . and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like brass, as if they burned in a furnace; . . . and his face was as the sun shining in his strength." (Rev. 1:14-16).
". . . the son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire, . . .". (Rev. 2:18).Even the two witnesses, who represent God, use fire. "And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, (they call for it), and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed." (Rev. 11:5, also 3).
The righteous are described as being able to stand on "as it were", "a sea of glass mingled with fire:", (Rev. 15:2).
Meanwhile the unrighteous are scorched with heat and fire (Rev. 16:8-9). "Babylon", symbolic of "this present evil world", will be burned with fire (Rev. 18:2, 8).
Christ, returning as a warrior and a king, is described as having eyes "as a flame of fire," (Rev. 19:12).
The "beast" and the "false prophet" are cast alive into a "lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Rev. 19:20).
After the first millennium of Christ's rule on earth, the nations again gather to fight against him (Rev. 20:7-9). God, who appears to be still in heaven at this time (verse 9), sends down fire to consume them.
In Rev. 20:10, Satan is also cast into this "lake of fire".
In chapter 21, the "fearful and unbelieving, the abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death". ("death", not eternal torment), (Rev. 21:8).
When created beings die, the body returns to dust and the "spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecc. 12:7).
["spirit", Heb. ruwach, "wind, or breath, fig. life", i.e. the essence of life, not an immortal soul. ". . . Our Lord Jesus Christ; . . . Who only (Who alone) has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; . . ." (1 Tim. 6:15-16).]2 Pet. 3:10-11 describes the day of the Lord as a time when the "earth and the works therein shall be burned up" and the "heavens shall be on fire".
Will it all be incinerated?
Deu. 4:24, "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, . . .".Regarding the enemies of Israel, Moses was inspired by God to say, "Understand therefore this day, the Lord your God is he which goes over before you; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before your face: . . " (Deu. 9:3).
"For our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. 12:29).
The unrighteous cannot see God's face and live, because the unrighteous contain darkness. God is light and "in him is no darkness" (1 Jn. 1:5). Darkness is made non-existent in the presence of light, it is "consumed" by the light as fire consumes fuel. To the unrighteous, God's presence would be "hell", but a temporary one.
Rather than the lights of Genesis being turned out, more and brighter lights are going to appear.
The many scriptural analogies of light and darkness show that is it important for us to understand the symbolism. Paul's experience with temporary physical blindness during his conversion from Judaism to Christianity is a symbolic explanation of spiritual conversion from imperfect and unacceptable worship (false religion). The "signs" of Gen.1, (the sun, moon, and stars) have a great deal of significance other than just measuring time or being a useful utility. The relationship between light and truth is a prominent theme throughout the Bible. As Paul explains, the answers to many of life's greatest questions can be understood from the things we can see, which includes scripture.
Can you see the light?
[For additional discussion of symbolism in the stars see "God's Holy Days in the Stars" by D. H. Hill found at: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~davhill/book/stars.htm]
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Copyright M.H. and G.H. 2001, All rights reserved.
