It is axiomatic that where darkness exists there is an absence of light and where absolute darkness is present no flesh can see. Such was the condition which obtained when the Creator, by the exercise of His might, created the heavens and the earth, Gen. 1:1-2. In order to pursue the processes of creation which were in the Divine mind culminating in the creation of humans able to respond to the Deity, it was first necessary to dispel the pervading darkness. Thus the directive “let there be light,” Gen. 1:3 — “and there was light.” It is not only interesting but of paramount importance to note this action was taken on day 1 in order to appreciate the significance of the principle of Divine revelation, the means by which it would be accomplished, and that it was a prerequisite to life. This light on day 1 could not be the shining of the sun, moon and stars — they were “made” on day 4 (v. 16), and appointed their permanent place in the Divine scheme of things, so that both light and darkness could continue unabated with all their implications and lessons to those who would be called “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Pet. 2:9).
With the rotation of the earth and placement of sun and moon the result was the 24 hour diumals with which we are familiar — the “morning and evening” of Gen. 1, and the provision of light, without which God’s creation (both flora and fauna) could not live and reproduce “after their kind.” Such conditions were desirable and necessary to effect the purpose of Deity and were therefore pronounced “very good.” But His purpose went far beyond the creation of animate and inanimate objects, although, indeed a manifestation of His might, because the essence of His purpose was to have His name honored. Such an objective could not be achieved by creation only. There had to be something else which involved the human family. There was, therefore, the bestowal of the characteristics of reason and emotions in such a way that such characteristics could be increased and brought to a completeness in harmony with the Divine objective. For the said characteristics to be developed, the minds of our first parents were enlightened by the giving of a directive which made it clear that life depended upon following His way. By this means ‘light’ shone into their minds and they understandingly became responsible to His judgments. As the pervading darkness upon the earth at the time of creation was dispelled by the light which emanated from the Creator (day 1), so had their darkness begun to be dispelled by the light of God’s truth which shone into their minds via the words of Elohiym.
Of the fact that the sons of Adam have generally been in darkness concerning the purpose of God since the beginning is beyond question (Is. 60:2). It is the reason for the world’s continuing chaos which can only be changed when the light of God’s truth becomes the full environment of this earth, The method by which light has come into the world has remained the same since the beginning although the media have changed. The method is the Word of the Lord (Ps. 119); also Jn. 6:63 — “the words that I speak unto you, are spirit and are life”) The media have been the Elohiym, the prophets, the Word made flesh, the apostles and those sent forth in this era for the purpose of the dissemination of the written Word (He. 1:1; Ro. 10:13). By this means the Psalmist was able to say (Ps. 27:1) “Yahweh is my light (same word as Gen. 1:3) and my salvation: whom shall I fear?” and (Ps. 18:28) “For thou will light my lamp: Yahweh my Elohiym will enlighten my darkness.”
Divine omniscience is declared by the Psalmist in Ps. 104:1-5. According to Strong’s concordance, the word ‘light’ in v. 2 means ‘luminary (in every sense, including happiness)’ and since the Psalmist in v. 1 recognizes the memorial Name in “Yahweh my Elohiym” he elucidates here that the Lord is covered or veiled in light which in measure is bestowed upon those only who He wishes to become part of that Name. The apostle Paul sets forth the manner in which this bestowal is performed in Eph. 1:17-19. It is the enlightenment of the blind, the influence of which is the means of the formation of character in harmony with God’s way thus shining forth in prevailing darkness as “a city set on a hill that cannot be hid.” If “our gospel” or this ‘enlightenment’ is hid, it is hid to them that are lost (2 Cor. 4:3-6), or who are in darkness because there is no light in them. In the day soon to come, the day of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and the saints, they “will not need a candle or the light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light” (Re. 22: 5), which light — pictured as a “pure river of water of life preceding out of the throne of God and the Lamb” (Re. 22:1) — will shine upon the nations to heal them from the darkness of their understanding (Re. 22:2) bringing honor to God.
In 1 Cor. 13 the apostle indicates that “we now see through a glass darkly until that which is complete is come” i.e. the fulfillment of the prophecy of Re. 22 when the effulgence of the saints will be the permanent ambient light emanating from God and the Lamb, in which they dwell. It is clear, however, particularly from Jn. 1 and 1 Jn. 1:5-7 that considerable light has come into the world (brought by the Word made flesh) and to walk in it is a prerequisite to becoming sons of God. It is enlightening to note what ‘light’ is, as defined by various passages: —
1 Ti. 6:16 — immortality: Ja. 1: 17 — gifts from above: Ps. 4:6 — favor of God: Pr. 16:15 — the king’s countenance: Job 29: 14 — an influential man: Jn. 4, 5, 9 — illuminator of men: Ps. 119:105 — illuminating power of scriptures: Is. 51:4 — judgments of God: Is. 58:10 — guidance of God: Jn. 5:35 — witness: Est. 8:16 — prosperity and general well being.
Such passages are helpful in providing a clear perspective on the characteristics of that light which emanates from the Deity, which was embodied in our Lord (Lu. 2:32) and which is so important to all aspiring constituents of the kingdom of God.
On day God said “let there be light, and there was light,” but we know that that light became darkness because of transgression. It has been made clear in the Word that all who are in darkness will receive the wages of sin (Ro. 6) and will sleep a permanent death, therefore not being subject to resurrection — Is. 26:14: Je. 51:57. The corollary to that is that all who are in light (according to God’s determination) will be subject to resurrection to be judged according to their efforts in keeping the Divine way — Ro. 2:12 “As many as have sinned without law (of God) shall also perish without law. As many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law” — (Jew and Gentile).
The scriptures make it clear that God dwells in light, began the creative process in light, has imparted some of that light to those of His selected creation, and will conclude the plan which began in Eden in light when He is “all and in all.” It also becomes clear that those who have been removed from the darkness of ignorance concerning the plan of salvation and to whom He has revealed Himself have become obligated to attempt to fulfill His requirements and with such responsibility having been placed upon them will be subject to the judgment of our Lord according to His infinite wisdom. The bringing of responsibility by light is therefore a doctrine fundamental to an understanding of the Divine purpose in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One