The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. —Isaiah 9:2, KJV

To understand darkness as it is seen in the Word of God is to be separated from God. “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” (1 John 1:5). When God created the world the first word He gave was, “Let there be light” (Gen. 1:3), and there was light. God in Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. Where does this darkness come from? Man, the crown of God’s creation, rebelled against his Maker, bringing darkness upon himself and the whole world.

This would have been the end of the story, but God revealed His plan of salvation, Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. In the fullness of time He came to dispel the darkness through His birth, life of suffering, and death for darkness-dwelling rebels. This is a recreation and making alive, restoring them from darkness to His marvelous light. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).

This light has come, and yet many walk in darkness. How can this be explained? “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:10–11). The Light is sufficient to light the whole world, but many are blinded to that light. “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed” (Isa. 6:9–10). Have your eyes been opened to see the Light?

This is what Jesus Christ came to do. He came to save His people from their darkness of sin. Christ was born in Bethlehem and lived a life of suffering and death, but death could not hold Him. He arose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of power as King of kings. He rules and guides all things in the world for His glory. Christ, through His servants, is bringing the message of this great light to the ends of the earth, gathering His elect. When the last of His elect are brought in, He will come again as Judge, separating light from darkness forever. His people shall inherit unending eternal light from Him. Those that refused the light will be cast into outer darkness, where there will be no light forever. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Rev. 22:12–13). This Light is still shining today. Ask the Lord to open blinded eyes not only to see the light but also to flee to it.

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19).

Mr. Cornelius Van Kempen known as Case, has been married to Susan for fifty-seven blessed years. They attend and are members of Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI.