THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT

The early morning hours portray some of the most beautiful scenery. Watching the sun come up and looking at the rays as they shimmer across the sky creates a beautiful portrait that only God could paint. Sunny days are the days when the light of the sun can be the brightest and on some summer days the light of the sun can be almost blinding. On snowy days the sun sometimes shines on the surface of newly fallen snow and bounces off the surface with rays of bright light. Rainy days may have thunder and spikes of lightning reaching from the sky to the ground. These same rainy days can paint a portrait of a rainbow arching from one end of the sky to another point in the sky where it ends. The colors sparkle and glow and for me it reminds me of God’s promise in Genesis. Although the world was once covered with a flood, God promises that the earth will no longer be covered with water that will literally wipe man off the surface of the earth. The rainbow is a reminder of that promise. Of course, there are the days that are foggy, cloudy and rainy, blustery with snow so thick that you can’t see the sky, and cloudy days when the rays of the sun simply do not find their way to earth. They have a canvas of different colors, mostly muted and colored with shades of gray and dull white.

As the evening begins there is a change in the scenery. The sun slowly sets in the west and usually turns the sky with colors of red and orange. It usually gives the colors in streaks and some of the most gorgeous shades of color can be found in a sunset. One by one another set of lights begin to glimmer in the dark colors of the night. The stars dot the sky with sparkles of light and moon hangs in the sky with one of its many phases. It may be a crescent, half moon, or a full moon but its light is there for all to see. Slowly the lights of homes and businesses come on creating even a different type of light in the sky. The lights of large cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Washington DC are dotted with some of the brightest lights and are especially beautiful to see from an airplane or from some point that is higher than the city itself. At Christmas the lights from homes and cities are even brighter and in some areas like Gatlinburg, TN the lights are so bright that it is hard to even see the traffic lights.

Bright lights reveal how the darkness of the world around us can be dotted with light. That light may be in the day or night but it is a reminder that darkness can be uncovered. The Bible describes many instances where the brilliant light has been shown in the past. While Saul, later renamed Paul, was on the Damascus road, “he journeyed [and] came near Damascus and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.” (Acts 9:3). One concordance explains that light as being so intense and penetrating that Saul fell to the ground. Even the men who were traveling with him fell to the ground and although they could see nothing, they were able to hear the voice of God. (The Nelson Study Bible).

Another incident is in the Old Testament and describes Zion, the holy city. It is a prophecy of things to come. According to Isaiah 60:1-2 we are told to “Arise, shine. For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth and the deep darkness the people but the Lord will arise over you and His glory will be seen upon you”. This verse is often quoted around Christmas or Easter as a reminder of just how wonderful it was for Christ to come to earth and be the propitiation for our sins.

The New Testament is filled with glimpses into the Son of God and how his light will shine on us. These references prepare us for the coming of the Son of Man and the way that His presence will fill the sky. In the coming of the Lord, Matthew 24:27 reveals “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” His glory will light up the sky and it will be visible to everyone. Revelation 21:23 informs us that “The city [the New Jerusalem] had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine it in for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is the light.” The glow of God’s light is so great that it overflows and fills the entire area around it. There is no reason to have any other light than the light of Christ. Again, the Holy City was described by John, the author of Revelation, in his vision of the Holy City as it came down to earth. “And He carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal” (Revelation 21:10-11)

Imagine, if you will, all the types of lights we have here on earth. Then consider how magnificent the light will be if you are a Christian who has asked for forgiveness for your sins. You will be able to bask in the Light of the Lamb of God. The Light will guide us on another journey even greater than the one we are on right now. Are you really ready?