The Right Light

1 John 1:5-7
Ex.40:24

There are over 400 references to light in the Bible. There is artificial light because the activities of men do no always conform to day and night schedule, and natural light, which is not sufficient always to man’s needs.

In the tabernacle the light was kept burning day and night before the veil as an emblem of God’s presence. Moses instructed people, “that they bring unto thee pure oil, olive beaten for a light, to cause the lamps to bum continually.” Lev. 24:2

There is also Miraculous light. We find six references to this kind of light in the Bible. In Exodus 10:23 we find that the people of Israel had light in their dwellings while the Egyptians were in darkness. There was the burning bush from which the Lord spoke to Moses. Ex 3:2 The Lord was leading the people of Israel in a pillar of fire during their wilderness journey. Ex 13:21

Light was shining from the Angels when they announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Luke 2:9 ‘ Light from heaven shone upon Saul as he Journeyed to Damascus. Acts 9:3 On the mount of transfiguratiol1’the face of Jesus shone as the sun. Matt 17:2

God made the natural light of the sun. God also ordained time for darkness. Many people are afraid of darkness, but if we trust in God our fears will be gone. We read in Ps. 91:6 that we will not be afraid “for the pestilence that walketh in darkness.” By simple faith we accept that “the Lord is my light and salvation.” Ps 27:1

In the olden times they used oil lamps with wicks in the houses as we find in Ex 25:6 and 27:20. They have found these kind of lamps in the excavations, tombs and towns since the time of Abraham onward. These lamps were kept burning all through the night but the wicks had to be adjusted every few hours as they kept burning down.

We read of a virtuous woman in Proverbs 31: 18 “her candle goeth not out by night.” Since they had no pilot light as today they needed their light in the lamp the next morning to get the fire going.

In the Old Testament times the house lamps were not used for traveling, for that purpose they had torches, as we find with the army of Gideon when they attacked the Midianites.

Ps. 119:105 we read that “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” They had different lamps for inside use and for the out of doors use. When the Jews arrested Jesus in the night they used lanterns and torches.

The Oriental people feared darkness. Light to them was a symbol of life, joy, and peace. When light went out there was gloom and desolation. Therefore they used to put lamps to bum even in the tombs which symbolized the hope for life after death.

In the earliest part of the Bible history we learn that the light was created by God. Gen 1:1. He challenged the darkness, which covered the earth., This opened the way for t~e rest of the creation.

Prophet Isaiah says, “I form the light, and create darkness.” Isa 45:7

In the Bible light represents things of God, and darkness is a symbol of evil forces. God is not the author of sin–Satan is. Also Babylon is an example of godlessness, a place with no light. The city of God is full of light of His glory and therefore there will be no night at all. Rev. 22:5

Today there is a battle going on between light and darkness that is between good and evil. We are to take advantage of the light that God is giving us, or we will miss out of God’s guidance and help.

In the tabernacle the light was burning continuously, day and night. As the priests entered the holy place they could see the table of showbread with 12 loaves of bread on it. Also they saw the lampstand. Everything was carefully fashioned accordingly to the pattern shown to Moses on the mount. No language can describe the glory and beauty of the sanctuary. The gold plated walls reflected the light from the golden candlesticks, the brilliant colors of the embroidered curtains and the altar of incense. This was a reflection of the glory of the temple in heaven.

This glory of the sanctuary can be compared to our spiritual life. The gold speaks of value. The oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The branches in the golden lampstand corning out of one center stem portray unity. The symbol of the almond blossom was linked to God’s anointed person.

In the New Testament the golden lampstand represents the church. Rev. 1:20 Here we have a complete picture how God gives light through His Spirit to His church, who in return reflects it to the world. Yes, God provides us all the light that we need. Only we must be in the holy place to see the light and to take advantage of it. Some may say that they have a light in themselves, but this is Satan’s deception.

What more can we do for the church to arouse the members to practice the light they have received? God has appointed a work to everyone according to his talents, and expects everyone to do his best.

When the light of heaven shines into our hearts, the Lord expects our works to correspond to it. Our talents are not our own, they belong to God who gave them to us. The more we use them, the more they will increase. Our knowledge and power will increase enabling us to do better service.

Why is it that many do not have success in their work? The reason is that they trust too much in themselves and do not go forward to seek and save that which is lost. They need to have the mind of Jesus and teach the truth to others as it is in Jesus before they can expect results from their labor.

We need to be concerned what we shall speak, what we should write that we could convey the light of heaven to others, because we are the channel of light to the world. God communicates His will to the world by His church.

How do we find light to guide us through darkness and discouragement? God reminds the sinners of their transgressions and gives warning to them of their danger. This way He shows His love to them and His willingness to save them. They only have to follow His councils and accept His teachings.

In Matt 5: 16 we read, “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Be careful of how you shine your light. If it reveals the excellence of Jesus Christ it shines right. If it is turned to yourself, and attracts people to admire you it shines wrong.

How can we shine our light before men? It is done by cultivating ourselves and elevating our minds. As a flower turns to the rays of sun to perfect its beauty, the same way we turn to the Sun of Righteousness to perfect our characters, and to have a deep experience in the things of God. Anyone who still has doubts, fears, unbelief, and skepticism is lacking the spiritual growth and therefore cannot shine the light to others.

It is our duty to present Christ in the church and to the world in His fullness as our only hope of salvation. Satan is trying to prevent this. While we are preaching the commandments of God, we also need to preach faith in Jesus.

This is the light that God has given us and it is our responsibility to shine it to others. We will be judged accordingly to the light that we have received. In the end every person will have received the light of salvation.

When we walk in the light that we have then can we expect to receive greater light. We will receive greater strength and it will lead us into unity as it was in the early church. New fields will be opened to the gospel. Souls will be brought out of darkness and error to the platform of truth. There is much work to do for everyone, but it requires humility, faith, energy, perseverance and decision.

We need to overcome the spirit of se]f- sufficiency, self-importance, and independence, and cultivate a spirit that is willing to be instructed and counseled.
Whatever others say or do should not affect us. We are to follow Christ in the spirit of meekness and genuine Godliness. Without these qualities we cannot do the. work of God. When our spirits have been softened and brought into obedience to the will of Christ then we will be living epistles, known and read of all men.

We are living in the midst of the perils of the last days; Satan is tempting us constantly to become independent in the spirit, but if we depend only on Christ and suffer with Him then we will one day reign with Him. We are not to become discouraged but continue to shine the light that God has given us.

Sister white saw in a vision, an impressive scene. “In the visions of the night a very impressive scene passed before me. I saw an immense ball of fire fall among some beautiful mansions, causing their instant destruction. I heard someone say: ‘We knew that the judgments of God were coming upon the earth, but we did not know that they would come so soon.’ Others, with agonized voices, said: ‘You knew! Why then did you not tell us? We did not know.’ On every side I heard similar words of reproach spoken.

“In great distress I awoke. I went to sleep again, and I seemed to be in a large gathering. One of authority was addressing the company, before whom was spread out a map of the world. He said that the map pictured God’s vineyard which must be cultivated. As light from heaven shone upon anyone, that one was to reflect the light to others. Lights were to be kindled in many places, and from these lights still other lights were to be kindled.

“The words were repeated: ‘Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ Matt. 5:13-16.

“I saw jets of light shining from cities and villages, and from the high places and the low places of the earth. God’s word was obeyed, and as a result there were memorials for Him in every city and village. His truth was proclaimed throughout the world.

“Then this map was removed and another put in its place. On it light was shining from a few places only. The rest of the world was in darkness, with only a glimmer of light here and there. Our Instructor said: ‘This darkness is, the result of men’s following their own course. They have cherished hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil. They have made questioning and faultfinding and accusing the chief business of their lives. Their hearts are not right with God. They have hidden their light under a bushel.

“If every soldier of Christ had done his duty, if every watchman on the walls of Zion had given the trumpet a certain sound, the world might ere this have heard the message of warning. But the work is years behind. While men have slept, Satan has stolen a march upon us.” Test. Treas. #3, p. 296-7.

If anyone refuses the light of heaven he will remain in darkness, being blinded to the mysteries of God’s word. God will not force anyone to give up his or her unbelief He has given us a choice, to choose between light and darkness, truth and error. God has given us ample evidence in His word for the truth but many are deceived as the Jews. They read the Bible in the light of their own understanding and tradition. Many trust their spiritual leaders without searching the scriptures for themselves.

I close with the question, “Are we in the holy place” so that we can take advantage of it?”
AMEN.