Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, darkness often symbolizes evil, sin, and the absence of God's presence. It is frequently associated with anything that stands in opposition to God's nature, which is inherently good, loving, and just. The concept of darkness as something hateful is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it is depicted as the antithesis of light, truth, and righteousness.Old Testament References The Old Testament frequently uses darkness to describe the presence of evil or the judgment of God. In Genesis 1:2, before God created light, "darkness was over the surface of the deep," symbolizing chaos and the absence of divine order. In Exodus 10:21-23, one of the plagues that God sent upon Egypt was a "darkness that could be felt," a tangible manifestation of God's judgment against Pharaoh's hardened heart. The Psalms often contrast darkness with God's light. Psalm 82:5 describes the wicked as those who "walk about in darkness," indicating a life lived in ignorance and sin. Similarly, Proverbs 4:19 states, "The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble," illustrating how sin blinds individuals to the truth and leads them astray. New Testament References In the New Testament, darkness continues to represent sin and separation from God. John 3:19-20 explains, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." Here, darkness is directly linked to the rejection of Christ, who is the Light of the World. The Apostle Paul frequently uses the imagery of darkness to describe the sinful state of humanity. In Ephesians 5:8, he reminds believers, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." This transformation from darkness to light signifies a move from a life of sin to one of righteousness through faith in Christ. Spiritual Warfare Darkness is also a key element in the theme of spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 states, "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." This passage highlights the reality of spiritual forces that oppose God's kingdom and work to spread darkness and hatred. Eschatological Implications In eschatological terms, darkness is associated with the final judgment and the fate of the unrighteous. Jesus warns in Matthew 8:12 that the "sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This outer darkness represents eternal separation from God, a place devoid of His love and light. Moral and Ethical Dimensions From a moral and ethical standpoint, darkness is anything that contradicts the love and holiness of God. It encompasses actions, thoughts, and attitudes that are hateful, unjust, and contrary to the teachings of Scripture. Believers are called to reject the deeds of darkness and to live as children of light, reflecting God's love and truth in a world often characterized by hatred and moral confusion. Conclusion The biblical portrayal of darkness as anything hateful serves as a powerful reminder of the stark contrast between good and evil, light and darkness. It calls believers to vigilance in their spiritual walk, encouraging them to embrace the light of Christ and to reject all forms of darkness in their lives. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 3:4-9Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine on it. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Light. Abram the Hebrew The victory of Life (Preached at the Chapel Royal. ) Letter Xliv Concerning the Maccabees but to whom Written is ... On the Nativity of John the Baptist the First Sermon Epistle i. To Donatus. Faustus Does not Think it Would be a Great Honor to Sit Down with ... A Doomed People Of Evil Angels Epistle xviii. Reply of St. Ambrose to the Memorial of Symmachus.. ... Resources What time was Jesus crucified? What time did Jesus die on the cross? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is a day measured from evening to morning in Genesis 1? | GotQuestions.org How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.org Darkness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Darkness of Spiritual Blindness Darkness the Following Scriptures Darkness: Abstruse and Deep Subjects Darkness: Called the Swaddling Band of the Sea Darkness: Cannot Hide Us from God Darkness: Caused by the Setting of the Sun Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Great Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Gross Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Outer or Extreme Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: That May be Felt Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Thick Darkness: Effects of Causes Us to Go Astray Darkness: Effects of Causes Us to Stumble Darkness: Effects of Keeps Us from Seeing Objects Darkness: Exhibits God's Power and Greatness Darkness: Greatness and Unsearchableness of God Darkness: Inexplicable Nature of Darkness: Miraculous: At Mount Sinai Darkness: Miraculous: At the Crucifixion Darkness: Miraculous: At the Death of Christ Darkness: Miraculous: Before the Destruction of Jerusalem Darkness: Miraculous: On Mount Sinai Darkness: Miraculous: Over the Land of Egypt Darkness: Originally Covered the Earth Darkness: Over the Face of the Earth Darkness: Separated from the Light Darkness: The Punishment of Devils and Wicked Men Darkness: The Wicked are Full of Darkness: The Wicked: Perpetuate Their Designs In Darkness: The Wicked: The Children of Related Terms |
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