God’s light is not the light we receive from the sun, moon and stars, but power and energy. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter, Proverbs 25:2. God’s light is one of those hidden treasures and a golden theme, starting in Genesis 1:3 and going right through to Revelation 22:5, with over 200 references to light.
Definition of Light
God is light and in Him is no darkness, 1 John 1:5. In the account of creation God created light first, then later the sun, moon and stars. The light God created in Genesis 1:3 can be translated as being waves of power and energy. This action can be likened to an artist preparing a canvas before picking up a paintbrush.
To understand what that light was we need to look further, at the definition of light. Light, that travels faster than the speed of sound, and is described as a type of electromagnetic radiation, or different frequencies of light. A definition of light is energy and power, while the definition of energy is power and light. Power is then defined as energy and light.
So, we have a triune definition where these three words are so interchangeable they are used to define each other. This then lines up with the triune Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All three are total God.
Physics of Light
In the reference-frame of light, there is no space and time and God is ultimate light. God is eternal, beyond our linear timeline and thinking. We live in a God-created universe sustained by an underlying sea of quantum light of immeasurable energy and power. Electromagnetic waves of light flow through space, oscillating like a pendulum.
God also separated the light from the darkness, Genesis 1:3. Our eyes work by letting light fall on our otherwise dark retina. We need a contrast to see. If it was all blazing light, we would be blinded.
God’s Light and I Am
Moses needed a name to tell the Hebrew slaves who had sent him. The answer came back, I Am that I am, Exodus 3:14. I Am is the name that denotes the light, power, and energy of God Almighty, besides all His other attributes.
Jesus used this same title in the Gospels to reveal who He is and what He came to do. One of those statements was “I Am the light of the world”, John 8:12. Without light there is no life, and we are animated with light. Just talk to those who live in darkness for six months at the poles.
Day of God’s Power
The Day of Pentecost was a life-changing experience for Peter and the 120 followers of Jesus, Acts 2. People believed so much in the miracle working power of Peter, they wanted just his shadow to fall on them, Acts 5:15,16. The Bible doesn’t say people were healed that way, but a woman was healed by simply touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, Luke 8:43. How much power emanated from Jesus?
If we have faith of a mustard seed we can move mountains, for nothing is impossible for us, in Christ, Matthew 17:20,21. If only we could get our human mind to truly comprehend God’s light in us.
Should the fulness of God’s light fill the earth this instant, the entire globe would go into shock. Think of an atomic bomb going off and multiply that by a trillion, trillion, trillion. No one could stand before the blazing presence of God’s holy light but sadly we grossly underestimate the power of God. Jesus will slay the Antichrist with just the breath of His mouth, 1 Thessalonians 2:8.
The prophet wrote of a time when the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea, Habakkuk 2:14. That time will happen and sooner than many think.
God’s Light and Defraction
There are three things that defract light: glass, water and diamonds. Defracted light not only changes direction, it slows the light down.
We are to be transparent before God like glass, for He knows all things and makes known the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:10. We are also to be a diamond that has been formed in the depths under great pressure, as we go through fiery trials, 1 Peter 4:12,13. Our body is 60% water and even our bones are 31% water.
Through it all, we defract God’s light. It is all around us and in us. That light grows stronger when we spend time with the source, and it spreads abroad to those we come in contact with.
God’s Light Transforms
Three disciples accompanied Jesus to the mountain for a special meeting, Matthew 17:2. They were suddenly confronted with seeing see the old prophets, Moses and Elijah with Jesus. They had come to encourage Jesus for the coming valley that was so deep, as He drank the most bitter cup of all.
An angel would also strengthen Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Luke 22:43. Perhaps that angel was Michael, the war angel, for Jesus was about to go into Satan’s war zone.
Jesus was transformed on the mountain. His face shone as the sun and His garments became white as light, as God’s light clothed Him. It is no wonder Peter, James and John were transfixed with awe and actually terrified. The incident was designed to be an encouragement to these three leaders who would soon witness the death and resurrection of their Master.
God’s Light Dimmed
Were Adam and Even originally clothed with God’s light? Once the darkness of sin entered, they lost that glory in more ways than one. They discovered they were naked. Before God we are all stripped bare, that His redeeming love and mercy might fill us. Imagine if Adam and Eve had retained God’s light and the Garden of Eden covered the whole earth.
Light is easily dimmed, if we allow areas of our life to contain darkness. We are instructed to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, Romans 13:12. God alone is our protection against the wiles of Satan, 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
When a person is on fire for God, fire that cleanses, God’s light, which is the Holy Spirit shines forth. We have all met people whose soul is full of darkness. In a world that is out of control, there is more darkness than we can fully comprehend.
God’s Judgement as Light
God’s judgement is likened to light, Hosea 6:5. Israel was guided by God’s light, even in the wilderness, where they had central heating. It was a cloud covering by day and a pillar of fire by night, Exodus 13:21. God did not forsake them even when they were unfaithful to Him. They ended up doing 40 years in the wilderness in a journey that should have taken only 11 days, Deuteronomy 1:2. God is all-powerful and will not be mocked and we reap what we sow, Galatians 6:7.
If we won’t yield to God’s mighty light, we will wander in the wilderness. An entire generation perished in those 40 years. We are to live as children of light, 1 Thessalonians 5:5. Just as humans like to bathe in the sun light, we need to ‘bathe’ in the light of God. Sunlight burns the skin, while God’s light burns out the dross and sets us free from the results of our sinful nature.
God’s Light is His Glory
Christ will soon return and set up His millennial reign on earth and rule from the New Jerusalem. This holy city has no need of sun, or moon to give it light, for the glory of the Lord will be light it, for its light is the Lamb, Revelation 21:23. God’s light, power and energy are all tied in with His glory. The redeemed will live in eternity in God’s indescribable light.
All we have to do is to choose to walk in the light as He is the light, 1 John 1:7, the true light, 1 John 2:8. God has given us a free will, so the choice is always ours. God’s light is all around us and in us. As believers we are to fulfil what Jesus said, for we are the light of the world, Matthew 5:14. All we have to do is to believe, for God’s light, power and energy is in those who accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. When we submit to His will, His glorious presence will be defracted to others and He gets the glory.
Wendy Stenberg-Tendys is a freelance writer who enjoys researching a topic and sharing words of encouragement, particularly from the Word of God.
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