Light as Revealed in Creation

Light as Revealed in Creation

The natural world is a visible representation to us of that which is spiritual and eternal.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…”
Romans 1:20

The Light of God can be understood in some measure by the spectrum and varieties of natural, visible light. On the fourth day, there was the creation of two great lights: one to rule over the day and one to rule over the night.

“And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.”*
Genesis 1:16

Within the first few verses of Genesis, even the most casual reader is quickly introduced to a wide range of “light”. Not only are there distinct realms of light introduced (Spiritual light and Natural light [see related article Light in this series]) but also varying degrees of light; “greater” and “lesser” light. We also read of God’s intent and purpose was for these lights to rule over specific domains. The Hebrew word used here for “rule” is elsewhere translated “dominion” (10 times) and “rule” (4 times) in various contexts of government and power. In scriptures, they are used to describe the “rule,” “dominion,” and “government” of either God or man.

In the continuing narrative of God’s creation, we see His purposes in creating the sun and moon.

“And God set them (plural) in the expanse of the heavens,
to give light on the earth….”
Genesis 1:17

God set plural expressions of light on the earth to illuminate and enable men to walk, explore and live in this new creation. We see glimpses of the truth that men may walk in domains of “greater light” or “lesser light”. Paul (as well as others) brings out this basic understanding in the New Testament.

“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”
1 Thessalonians 5:4-8

Paul makes a point of distinguishing between “children of the day” and those who are of the night. The difference is in what they do, not what they know. Those of the night are drunk (intoxicated with the things of the world) while those of the day are sober, vigilant, and clothing themselves with faith and love. Those in darkness are unaware or unmoved by the Day that is upon us and will be “overtaken” by its suddenness, as those who sleep are awakened by a thief.

Jesus told us what that Day would look like:

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
Matthew 24:37-39

What were they doing? Nothing out of the ordinary. They were eating, drinking, and marrying; all the normal things but they were oblivious to the time in which they lived and did not walk in the light of God’s righteousness. While righteous Noah was building the ark the people of the night remained unaffected by God’s coming judgment. Hebrews 11 declares that the difference between the people of the night and the people of the day was Faith! Not just a faith, but the Faith. It was a living Faith of such power and substance that Noah was moved into action by the “fear” of what would soon come to pass! While the world and many religious people were living a typical life, Noah was preparing salvation for himself and his family as a consequence of his Faith. Noah entered into the Ark prior to the judgment of God falling… so will all they who walk in the Light.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
Hebrews 11:7

Here is the principle of light revealed in the life of Noah. There was a “revelation” to him of things not yet seen! The world and the children of darkness were walking and living in the realm of natural light. They had no ability to see God’s light and lived on in ignorance until the “flood came and took them all away”. Noah, however, walked in a “greater light.” He saw “things not seen as yet” and it changed how he lived. There is a sequence of events for those who walk in the Light: Light / Faith (unto obedience), and the deliverance of God through the medium of our own obedience. Without obedience, there is no deliverance. It was in the act of Noah building the Ark that he condemned the world. So it is in our day. It is by living and doing truth that our faith is revealed. Noah’s faith would have been useless, and he would have perished with the children of the night had there been no corresponding works of obedience to his faith. James states that one who holds faith without the accompanying works is in vain.

“But wilt thou know, O vain man,
that faith without works is dead?”
James 2:20

†

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth* me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:12

*Note: “Followeth” Jesus does not say believeth. The following reveals the nature of the relationship, adherents “believe” — disciples follow. Adherents walk in the reflected light of the words, the doctrines, and the teachings of others while disciples follow the PERSON of Christ The significance of these two distinct realms of light will become more evident as this Day unfolds.

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise…”
Ephesians 5:14-15

Related Article in this series: Light

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