Topical Bible: Select Readings: Lights and Shadows

Bible > Topical > Select Readings

◄ Select Readings: Lights and Shadows ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

"Select Readings: Lights and Shadows" is a thematic exploration of the dichotomy between light and darkness as presented in the Bible. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, symbolizing the contrast between good and evil, truth and falsehood, and divine presence versus separation from God. The imagery of light and darkness serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual realities and moral choices.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently uses light and darkness to convey spiritual truths. In the creation narrative, God establishes light as the first act of creation: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness" (Genesis 1:3-4, BSB). This separation sets the stage for the ongoing biblical theme of light as representative of God's presence and goodness.

Light as Divine Revelation

Light in the Bible often symbolizes divine revelation and truth. The psalmist declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105, BSB), emphasizing the guiding and illuminating power of God's Word. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the coming Messiah as a light to the nations: "I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6, BSB).

Jesus as the Light of the World

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the ultimate embodiment of light. In the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12, BSB). This declaration underscores Jesus' role as the source of spiritual illumination and life, offering redemption and guidance to those who believe in Him.

Darkness as Separation and Evil

Conversely, darkness in the Bible often represents separation from God, ignorance, and evil. The apostle Paul warns of the spiritual battle against the forces of darkness: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12, BSB). This passage highlights the pervasive influence of darkness in the world and the need for spiritual vigilance.

The Call to Walk in the Light

Believers are called to live in the light, reflecting God's holiness and truth. The apostle John exhorts, "But if we walk in the light, as He 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, BSB). Walking in the light involves living in accordance with God's commandments and maintaining a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

Eschatological Fulfillment

The theme of light and darkness reaches its eschatological fulfillment in the book of Revelation, where the eternal state is described as a place of perpetual light: "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp" (Revelation 21:23, BSB). This vision of the New Jerusalem signifies the ultimate triumph of God's light over darkness, where His presence illuminates all of creation.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of light and darkness serves as a profound metaphor for understanding the spiritual realities of God's kingdom. Through the lens of Scripture, believers are encouraged to embrace the light of Christ, reject the darkness of sin, and anticipate the eternal light of God's presence.

Nave's Topical Index

Ruth 1:1-22
Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

On the Symbols of the Essence' and Coessential. '
Select Works and Letters or Athanasius. ... that the sun and the radiance are two lights,
or different ... are divided throughout between the two readings, but it is ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part iii on the symbols.htm