Mt Sinai (Law) and Mt Zion (Grace)

Mt Sinai (Law) and  Mt Zion (Grace)
Mt Sinai (Law) and Mt Zion (Grace)

Thursday, August 1, 2013

LIGHT of God...of the World

When we go to the Book of beginnings we see that the first thing that God spoke in recorded scripture is, "Let there be light", Genesis 1:3. Immediately there was light.

This was the beginning of day 1. We know that this light was not from the sun, because the sun was not lit up until day 4. This was a light directly from God.

In Hebrew the word "God" here is Elohiym, אלהים. This is plural. That is because God exists in three. In Genesis 1:1-3 we see the three:
"In the beginning, God".... this is the Father (Elohiym)
"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters"....this is the 3rd person of the Godhead, the Spirit of God.
"And God said.." this is God's Word, the 2nd person of the Godhead. John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
"And God saw the light that is was good..."

The name by which God revealed Himself is not written until Genesis 2:4. This is Jehovah,  יהוה, but out of respect for the Holy Name is rendered as LORD in the King James Bible. Some try to pronounce as, Yahweh. For the Hebrews it is a name that cannot be pronounced. There was an elaborate ritual that went into Hebrews transcribing "the Name" which included bathing and changing clothes as well as new ink whenever they encountered His Holy Name.

Even now orthodox Judaism say, HaShem, while meditating on יהוה. This name shortened is Jah or Ya ,יה, which we see in Halleujah and Elijah; which mean, praise to Jehovah and God's strength of Jehovah respectively.


When God sent His son into the world to be born of a woman, he was to be named, Jesus. In Hebrew this is   Joshua or Yeshuah. The first letters are, יה, or Jah. The translation of the name Joshua is: Jehovah is Salvation. Jesus is part of the Godhead and was born on earth as the Messiah, God in flesh.

So back to God's first words in Genesis 1:3. Literally translated, God said Bring forth light. The Hebrew word to "bring forth" is Yahee, יהי. Can you see it? The first thing out of the mouth of God was Jah! The name of Jesus! With Him came light. This was supernatural light that dominated darkness and emanated from Him who later said "I am the light of the world", John 8:12.


We as Christians know this, but it is always wonderful to find further evidence that Jesus is the manifestation of God. In Jesus dwells the fullness of the Godhead, Colossians 2:9.

John 1 further states that the life of Jesus was the light of men. By Him were all things made that were made.
He was the Word of God made into the flesh of man. He is the one who made the world, but the world did not recognize Him.


I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life, John 8:12.

Jesus is not telling us that we have to by our own will be righteous as He is. He is telling us to follow Him in His light and His righteousness.  2Corinthians 5:21,  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.


Psalms 56:13  For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?
God would not have included this in scripture if we could not do it.



The light of Jesus is the place where we were meant to dwell. Not just in eternity, but here, now.

Jesus is the living Word and light is with Him. So, when we read the Bible we release some of His light into our lives.

The paths of our lives can be lighted and direction given if we would but walk in the light where Jesus is.


The Word of God is direction for us in the paths of our life.


Walking in the light with Jesus is something we learn and practice by faith here on planet earth.


In Jesus' light and in His salvation we are led to the life and light which is eternal and will never end.
John 3:21...he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.


1John 1:5,  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

When Ezekiel saw the Lord (8:2), he described God as appearing as a fire from His loins downward and a fire from His loins upward.


In 1Timothy 6, Paul writes to Timothy of the light of Jesus, verse 16,  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Yet because of Jesus' sacrifice on the tree for us, we are able to walk in His light because of His goodness and not our own, by faith, and in His love.

Truly, His blood cleanses us from all sin, and we can walk in His light. A place for us to dwell and receive that which God has prepared for us, in the Grace that only comes through Christ Jesus.

The light that came into the world from the first word that God spoke is also the light that will be here on earth for eternity.


You see, it has always been God's plan to move heaven to earth. In the last chapters of Revelation, we see that the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven to earth. Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.


The dimensions of this city are approximately 1500 miles X 1500 miles X 1500 miles. When that description is given, most imagine a cube.


I believe that God in His magnificent Glory will plant the New Jerusalem on and in the earth in a way that makes a perfect balance.


The Word says that the city will have no need of the light of the sun, because the light of God and Jesus will light the city. Now, it does not say there is no sun, for the rest of the earth needs the sun.


The kings of the earth will come on the Lord's feasts and bring their honor and glory before God in the city. There the saved can bask in the light of God.


Coming out from the thrones of God and Jesus is the river of the water of life. On each side of the river are the trees of life which bear fruit every month. When humans eat of this they never age. The leaves of the trees are for healing of the nations. Apparently people still get hurt. We know that there will be no disease or sickness there. 


I believe that the city will look nothing like our cities. The walls will look natural like mountains, but garnished with precious stones and translucent gold.


It will be more than we can imagine, beautiful and natural inside. As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, 1 Corinthians 2:9.


There will be many who are immortal that have been transformed or resurrected as is described in Corinthians and Thessalonians and have a glorified body, similar to the body that Jesus has. But there will be a world full of people, just like Adam. And, now in the glorious light of God and Jesus they will eat of the tree of life and never age...never die. Yes, the end of the Bible is day one of eternity. 

Back to the light of life that Christians have in them and are able to walk in the light of Jesus. Our Lord spoke of us sharing this light...
Matthew 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.


We are to let Jesus' light shine to the world through us. By His Grace and guidance of the Holy Ghost and the Spirit of Christ in us we can be faithful servants of the King of the universe and be a blessing to those around us. So that they might learn of God and come to Him for He loves people and it is not His will that any would perish.



All quotes are from the KJV. Pictures and art were found on the Internet.

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2 comments:

  1. I appreciated reading your work here on Christ and the world. Thank you. Even your pictures were thoughtfully sought and shared for us. It must have taken you a lot of time. It is appreciated.

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