Light

Light in its literal use reminds man that his existence depends on light. Gen. 1:3; Eccl. 11:7; Jer. 31:35.

"Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light." (Genesis 1:3, NASB)

"The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun." (Ecclesiastes 11:7, NASB)

"Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name:" (Jeremiah 31:35, NASB)

The physical universe is designed to illustrate spiritual realities of God's plan. Light reveals the character of God. 1 John 1:5; Rev. 21:23; 1 Tim. 6:16.

“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.” (1 John 1:5, NASB)

“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:23, NASB)

"who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." (1 Timothy 6:16, NASB)

Light was used for the divine guidance of Israel by night. Exodus 14:20.

"So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night." (Exodus 14:20, NASB)

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the light that reveals divine essence. The Gospel is called the light of the glory of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4:4; 2 Tim. 1:10.

“in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4, NASB)

"but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," (2 Timothy 1:10, NASB)

Being saved brings the believer out of darkness into light. Luke 1:79; 1 Peter 2:9.

"TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace."" (Luke 1:79, NASB)

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

Light portrays the believer’s privilege of possession of a luminous body in Satan’s world system of evil. Matt. 5:14; Dan. 12:3; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:12-13; John 12:36; Phil. 2:15; Acts 13:47.

““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;” (Matthew 5:14, NASB)

“For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6, NASB)

“for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8, NASB)

““For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”“ (Acts 13:47, NASB)

Light is a synonym of the edification complex of the soul that is constructed from epignosis Bible doctrine. The believer with the edification complex reflects the glory of God. Thus a believer “shines.” Psalms 43:3; Psalms 119:130; Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:8; 1 John 2:8.

"O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places." (Psalms 43:3, NASB)

"The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." (Psalms 119:130, NASB)

"The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Romans 13:12, NASB)

"for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light" (Ephesians 5:8, NASB)

"On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining." (1 John 2:8, NASB)

Jesus Christ was described in His incarnation as the “Light of the world.” John 3:19; John 8:12; John 12:46; John 9:5.

““This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19, NASB)

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."” (John 8:12, NASB)

““I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46, NASB)

“"While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world."” (John 9:5, NASB)

Because of the Word’s vital relationship to divine guidance, it is described in terms of light. Psalms 19:8; Psalms 119:105; Exodus 13:21-22.

“The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalms 19:8, NASB)

“Nun. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105, NASB)

“The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” (Exodus 13:21-22, NASB)

The absence of light characterizes man apart from regeneration (unbeliever) or apart from spirituality (carnal believer). Light is also used with reference to the believer’s regeneration at salvation. John 8:12; John 3:19-20; 1 Peter 2:9; Col. 1:13.

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”“ (John 8:12, NASB)

“"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” (John 3:19-20, NASB)

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9, NASB)

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,” (Colossians 1:13, NASB)

Light is used with reference to the believer’s spirituality. Eph. 5:8-14; Job 3:1-9; 1 John 2:9-11.

“for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”“ (Ephesians 5:8-14, NASB)

“The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:9-11, NASB)

Spirituality is walking in the Light. 1 John 1:7.

“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.” (1 John 1:7, NASB)

Light depicts the spiritually mature believer’s spiritual life. 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 5:14.

"For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, NASB)

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

Jesus Christ at the Second Advent will come as the Sun of Righteousness. Mal. 4:2; Matt. 4:2; Matt. 24:29-31.

““But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.” (Malachi 4:2, NASB)

““But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31, NASB)

Judgment in the Word is expressed in the sense of darkness with regard to heaven or earth. Exodus 10:21; Job 3:4; Matt. 27:45; Matt. 24:29; John 12:46; Joel 2:2; Rev. 8:12.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt.”“ (Exodus 10:21, NASB)

“"May that day be darkness; Let not God above care for it, Nor light shine on it.” (Job 3:4, NASB)

“Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour.” (Matthew 27:45, NASB)

“"But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Matthew 24:29, NASB)

““I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46, NASB)

The eternal state has no night nor need of sun or moon - God is Light and He will illuminate the universe forever. Rev. 21:23-26; Rev. 22:5.

“And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5, NASB)

“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it;” (Revelation 21:23-26, NASB)

Light Reveals Evil

Light is seen in a new way, as a revealer of evil. Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16.

"And He was saying to them, "A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? " (Mark 4:21, NASB)

" "Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. " (Luke 8:16, NASB)

The production of the believer is designed to expose the evil, to make it manifest. Titus 1:9-11.

"holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain." (Titus 1:9-11, NASB)

Purpose of light is to make manifest that which was hidden. Mark 4:22; Luke 8:16-17; Eph. 5:13.

" "For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. " (Mark 4:22, NASB)

" "Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. "For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. " (Luke 8:16-17, NASB)

"But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light." (Ephesians 5:13, NASB)

Here we see that not only are the things (secret sins) of others manifested by the production of the believer, but they are reproved by it. The light reproves as well as manifests. For a believer to cover, conceal, or neutralize their spiritual production, the light fails to reprove the secret sins of the other individual. In Ephesians 5:13, “exposed” is ἐλέγχω (elegchō) and means to show someone their sin and to summon them to repentance. It implies educative discipline.

The Believer’s Reflected Light in the Spiritual Life

The growing believer is to be a light to the world. Matt. 5:14-16.

" "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. " (Matthew 5:14-16, NASB)

Light has several meanings in the Greek. The word φῶς (phōs) and means light as seen by the eyes, an organ adapted for reception. Man in salvation has received the spiritual organ of reception. In Luke 16:8, believers are called “sons of light” and means a light, primarily a light giver, one that produces light.

" "And his master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. " (Luke 16:8, NASB)

Light is used of believers in Philippians 2:15 and used of Christ in Revelation 21:23.

"so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world," (Philippians 2:15, NASB)

"And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb." (Revelation 21:23, NASB)

In 2 Corinthians 4:6, light used as an illumination of the Gospel. Here, light is φωτισμός (phōtismos) and means the act of enlightening or illumination.

In Matthew 24:29, φέγγος (pheggos) is used of the light of the moon.

" "But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. " (Matthew 24:29, NASB)

The use of light in Matthew 5:14 is φῶς (phōs) implies that those benefitting will have a capacity of reception, therefore, ability to benefit from it. Therefore, production here is described as “light” which other believers will be able to see and respond to.

" "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; " (Matthew 5:14, NASB)

In Matthew 5:15, “lamp” is λύχνος (luchnos) and refers to a hand-lamp. The term “to give light” is λάμπω (lampō) and means to illuminate so as to see. The basket was a clay earthen pot used to store flour and was placed under the lampstand. The lampstand was a protrusion from the wall upon which the lamp was put that the light might provide light for all that enter the room. The room is the sphere around a believer in their spiritual production. This would be a pastor and his congregation, a teacher and their class, a manager in their business. The lampstand is the location of your spiritual production.

" nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. " (Matthew 5:15, NASB)

In Matthew 5:16, the purpose for the lamp and the lampstand is that others may see by producing “light” to all in the house. “That they may see” is the aorist active subjunctive of ὁράω (horaō) and means to perceive, discern, notice, pay attention to. “Good” is καλός (kalos) and means excellent in that it is so constructed to answer the purpose for which it was created. “Works” is ἔργον (ergon) and is a noble action in this context. “Glorify” is the aorist active subjunctive of δοξάζω (doxazō) and means to magnify, praise, honor. The purpose being that they might give honor to God.

" "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. " (Matthew 5:16, NASB)

Therefore, to cover your production or veil it in privacy, you keep others from the benefits of your spiritual production of giving proper glory and honor to God.