Your Light Has Come

Gideon and his people were getting prepared for total annihilation. The enemy was gaining on them, the prophet had declared that their people were reaping the evil they had sown, when suddenly an angel appeared to him, calling him mighty warrior (Judges 6:12).

Do you know who you are and what you are called to do?

The Bible says that God is light (1 John 1:5). Jesus said that He is the light of the world and that His followers will not walk in darkness but have the light of life (John 8:12). He also called us to be the light of this world (Matthew 5:14).

In the world we live in, darkness prevails on so many levels: some hidden and others explicitly evident.

Eventually, Gideon was able to lead his entire people into victory, through the revelation of the collective glorious light within (Judges 7: 20-21).

Habakkuk prophesied that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will fill the earth, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). Looking at the context of that verse, it is clear that the prophecy is warning against corruption on a personal level, then moving to a corruption on the level of cities and government and lastly gives the reason why all this labor and nation-building founded on corruption and injustice will be exposed and of no effect or value. 

I believe we are approaching the fulfillment of those times.

The Apostle Paul says that the entire creation is groaning and longing for the revealing of the sons of God in all their authority and glory (Romans 8:19). Not only injustice done on national and personal level, but also all of creation, i.e. the trees, the beasts, the mountains, the oceans and the atmosphere and all that is subject to futility because of the fall of man will likewise recover from the effects of the distortion of truth, original design and intent.

In all of this, we human beings, we children of God, have a key role to play and Jesus gave us that key when He called us to be the light of the world. As stated by the early church fathers in the Nicene Creed: the "Light of Light" has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light to be a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9).

All this for a purpose, for a reason, for a day, for a marvelous day that will shine on all. The way history has been progressing will change. The way nations deal with other nations has been changing and will change at an even faster pace. Eventually, the Prince of Peace will replace a man-made and flawed United Nations and the knowledge of the truth shall become so evident that going against it will be a ridiculous thing to do. In fact, it will soon after not even be a possibility. And the Universal Church, the body of Christ will play a crucial and leading role in all of this.

So where does that leave us now and today?

Jesus said no one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or under a bed, but puts it high on a stand for all to see (Luke 8:16). He said nothing will remain concealed but all will be revealed. Jesus was prophesying of an age to come, which all the prophets before him foresaw. Jesus said you are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden (Mt 5:14). Jesus has called us to undergo training and preparation as we advance His rule and reign right now and right here on Earth, as it is in Heaven.

In the second chapter of his first epistle, the Apostle Peter encourages the church to make benefit of the evil times to train in this business of light so that our light may shine ever more bright. This shining business seems to be a craft by which the great master builder Jesus carves us into stones with which he builds His Church, a structure resembling a city, a community, a home for Him to dwell in communion with His people.

The Apostle Paul calls us to examine ourselves and see where we stand in this process, whether we feel Christ Jesus within (2 Corinthians 13:5). He goes on to say that he has indeed passed the test and if he appears weak, it is only because he is laboring to make the church strong because he says "your restoration is what we pray for".

The Apostle Peter outlines this in his sermon after the healing of the lame man. After talking about Jesus as the Prince of Life whom they crucified, he states the following: "“Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." (Acts 3:17-21)

So there you go friends. The restoration of all things is the business of the Church here and now! Our calling and lives of holiness will pave the way for this and the return of the Lord.

The prophet Isaiah foresaw this marvelous age thousands of years ago, believing and praying that this prophecy will form and shape, encourage and guide all who hear it and respond to it into the path of righteousness and holiness, paving the way to a new Heaven and a new Earth. God bless you!

"Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the Lord will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.

The Gentiles shall come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

“Lift up your eyes all around, and see:

They all gather together, they come to you;

Your sons shall come from afar,

And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.

Then you shall see and become radiant,

And your heart shall swell with joy;

Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,

The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

The multitude of camels shall cover your land,

The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;

All those from Sheba shall come;

They shall bring gold and incense,

And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.

All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you,

The rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;

They shall ascend with acceptance on My altar,

And I will glorify the house of My glory."

(Isaiah 60:1-7)