“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in
darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Some 309 times in Scripture God speaks of “Light.” This is the light of the world, Jesus who
came to save us from the darkness. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of
the shadow of death, upon them hath the light
shined” (Isaiah
9:2). In Isaiah alone, God the prophet speaks of light 25 times. He reminds us
that in the beginning there was void and darkness and God said, “Let
there be light, and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3).
This is the Advent Season before Christmas. It
is the expectant time of waiting for the coming Messiah and “Light of the
world.” For the Jewish people it is the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah. It
commemorates the rebuilding of the temple and the Maccabean revolt over
Antiochus IV Epiphanes of Syria. The Maccabees overcame and took back the
temple. God miraculously provided oil
for eight days to light the Menorah candelabra. The light would not go out. It
is a celebration of triumph and God’s faithfulness.
In
Revelation we are reminded of heaven and the coming of the New Heaven and
Earth. “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives
them light: and they shall reign
for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). God Himself is the light, so no
other light is needed. He is all we need.
So, who
are we in this panorama? What do we do?
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the
praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). We are His saints, called to praise and
proclaim the truth. So do it, continually and with all your heart.
“And so we have the
prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). Yes, Jesus is
returning soon for His saints, the Rapture. He will come to rule and reign
soon. “Maranatha.” So what do we do while we wait?
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify
your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.