In part 2 of “Let There Be Light,” we looked at a selection of OT scriptures that point forward and prophesy Jesus as The Light.
In the New Testament scriptures, we find the writers consistently referencing Old Testament scriptures to provide context to their readers. In the Gospels, Jesus is recorded declaring that He is the fulfillment of the law and prophets. He repeatedly referred to Himself as the Light of the world.
In letters to the believers in Corinth and Colossae, Paul references OT scriptures regarding light as he encouraged them in their identity and the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven.
In the gospel of John, chapter one, John establishes the foundation of his letter:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.” (vs1-10)
The writer John says that the life in Jesus “was the light of men,” and that “Light shines in darkness.” He then describes John the Baptist’s role as “a witness to testify about the Light.” And that John “himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the Light. The true Light who give light to every man.”
Jesus, the Light of the world. Light is revelation. Light is truth. Light is life. Light is freedom.
In John chapter 3, we have a scripture in verse 16 that perhaps is one of the most well known verses in the Bible. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John then says that Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it.
If we look deeper at the context of this passage, we find in verses 19- 21, “the verdict.”
“And this is the verdict: The 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. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.” (vs19-21).
Jesus, the Light of the world, offers salvation, refuge, freedom, provision, life abundant. We each get to choose to “come into the light” or to “love the darkness.” Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have the privilege to choose our citizenship.
Complimentary to John chapter 3 is the following passage in Colossians 1:12-13:
… “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son . . .”
There is a kingdom of darkness and a kingdom of Light.
In John 12:35-36, 46, Jesus tells the crowd: “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light. . . . I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.”
In Luke 11:34-36 (also found in Matthew 6:22-23), the physician records Jesus describing the eye as the lamp of the body: “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness. Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness. So if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, you will be radiant, as though a lamp were shining on you.”
Physically, the human eye is how we see the physical realm. Metaphorically, “the eye” refers to one’s perception or lens of how we view ourselves, our circumstances, other people, etc. Really, our perception/ our lens is how we define reality. If our lens / processing is through the kingdom of light, we will see according to the revelation of the Father, through Jesus. We will see as children of God, motivated by love. If our eye/lens is “bad” (v 34), then we will see / process according to the kingdom of darkness, as orphans, motivated by fear.
Additional references, for your review / study regarding Jesus’ declaration that He is the light of the world: John 8:12 & John 9:5.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages the believers in chapter 4:4 & 6, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. . . . For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
I believe in verse six, when Paul states, “For God, who said ‘Let light shine out of darkness,” he is referencing Genesis chapter one. Paul is referencing this passage as he encourages these believers that God has “made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (v6)
I offer that Jesus is the literal fulfillment of “Let there be light.” And this light shines in our heart and is the revelation of both the Father’s heart and the Kingdom of His beloved Son.
Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus as “the radiance of God’s glory.”
In the book of Revelation, chapter 21:23, John is describing the new Jerusalem: “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.”
Revelation 22:5: “There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them. . . .”
The book of Revelation is considered to be the culmination of fulfilled prophesy and the summation of God’s revelation to His chosen creation in His written word. In this context, we find the the fullness of God’s intent from Genesis 1:3, “Let there be light.”
Specifically in these two passages from Revelation 21 and 22, Jesus reveals to the beloved disciple that “the Lamb” is the light of the New Jerusalem. From the foundation of the world, God declared the fullness of His intention and purposes would be fulfilled in His Son, the Light of the world.
Scripture is multi-layered. The Old Testament layers include archetype and foreshadowing – “looking forward.” The New Testament layers “look back” at the OT scriptures for context and references these scriptures in declaring their fulfillment.
Simply ….. “This is that which was foretold.”
The 66 books that comprise the Bible were written by approximately 40 different authors over the span of 1,500 years. This three part abbreviated study of the typology and fulfillment of light is but one of numerous themes found in the canon of scripture.
I hope this fosters curiosity and a sense of wonder regarding the Word of God, which is living and active. And may you continue your journey to ask, seek, and knock; that the door may be opened to you.
