Matthew 5:14-16; “You are the light of the world [believers]. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all of the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” (any emphasis mine)
John 8:12; “Again Jesus spoke to them saying, ‘I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.’”
Romans 13:12; “The night is almost gone, and the day is near [Rapture]. Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness, and put on the armor of Light.”
Ephesians 5:8-10; “For you were formerly darkness [lost sinner], but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the Light, For the fruit of the Light consists of all goodness, righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
Psalm 36:9; “For with you is the Fountain of Life; in your Light do we see Light.”
Psalm 119:105; “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a Light to my path.”
Acts 13:47; “(Paul said) “For this is what the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring Salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Great Commission)
1 John 1:7; “But if we walk in the Light, as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
These are only a few verses about our Lord and Savior being the Light. There are many more throughout the Bible, Old and New Testaments. Naturally, the opposite is darkness. It should be noted that the Jews are God’s chosen people, but even they have to accept Jesus as their Messiah to be with Him forever.
1 Samuel 2:9; “He keeps the feet of His godly ones [those in God’s will], but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness.”
Matthew 8:12; “But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into outer darkness; in that place will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The sons of the kingdom refer to the Jews who were the first heirs, but forfeited their inheritance through disobedience.
Matthew 22:13; “Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him to the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
2 Peter 2:17; “These are springs with water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved.”
2 Peter 2:4; “For God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into Hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment.”
And this final judgment will be at the Great White Throne of Revelation 20:11-15. The verse that describes why Hell, also known as the Lake of Fire, was created, is Matthew 25:41; “Then, He will say to those on His left [unrepentant sinners], ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” The antichrist and false prophet will be first in Hell (Revelation 19:20), followed by Satan a thousand years later in Revelation 20:10. All others from the beginning of creation to the end of the Millennium that are lost will be next.
Satan and the fallen angels, or demons, have no pathway to forgiveness. Jesus’ sacrifice was for all humans, not angelic beings. Hebrews 2:16; “For surely it is not angels that He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham.” The fallen angels and Satan had already seen the Glory of the Heavenly Father, but chose to reject Him.
With all that’s taking place today, it’s tough for a believer in Jesus to shine. After all of the generations that have lived since Jesus’ time here on earth, it’s truly amazing that we are the generation that is at the end of this age. No, we don’t know exactly when the trumpet will sound, and when we will hear the shout from the archangel (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17); however, every sign given by Jesus (Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21), and the attitudes spoken of by Paul (2 Timothy 3) are all here at the same time. In 1 John 2-5, we’re told about the increase in false prophets and antichrist activity, and this is happening worldwide today.
The start of the clock took place on May 14, 1948, when Israel became a sovereign nation after over 2,000 years. No other nation has ever been reestablished as Israel has. In Matthew 24:32-34, Jesus spoke of the fig tree putting out new leaves, indicating summer is near. This spoke of the rebirth of Israel. He went on to say that when all the signs He gave were present, He would be “near, at the very gates.” In Luke 21:28, it’s recorded that; “When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh.” No other generation prior to ours saw all the signs in place at one time as we are seeing today. In fact, the incidents are increasing not only daily, but hourly.
Today, to try and shine for the Word of the Lord is to be singled out and called a “hater.” It’s because Satan’s followers are in full force, trying to shut down completely anything that has to do with Jesus. It’s not that we hate anyone, as we are commanded to love everyone, but we do not have to accept their evil ways. Isaiah 5:20 is in full force, and was prophesied over 2,500 years ago. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.” This is the attitude that’s out in the open today.
What God called abominations are somehow supposed to be acceptable today. Proverbs 17:15 probably expresses it best; “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, are both alike, an abomination to the Lord.”
Even though the world looks to be totally out of control, Christians, all believers, can take some comfort in knowing our time here is rapidly drawing to a close. Prophecy experts (again, I’m a novice) are saying the “harpazo,” taking up or Rapture could take place any day, any hour, and any minute. Nothing else has to happen before this. God did not put all the signs in the Bible to take up space. Jesus said we should know the season, and not miss the signs, as the religious leaders of His time here did.
For anyone who has not received and accepted Jesus, you can change your eternal destination right now. Call out to Him; ask Him to forgive your sins and to be your eternal Savior. All who truly call on Him will be saved. (Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13) The hardest part is to ignore the lure of this world and its sinful ways, and have faith and believe that Jesus is your only way to Heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-13).
At this point, your bulb will shine; it won’t be under a basket. You will enjoy the Father’s Son being our true source of Light forever.
There is a negative side. Remember the verses about the “outer darkness” and “total darkness.” That is eternity forever, never-ending, for all who refuse to call on the Savior. It’s totally up to each person to choose where they will spend eternity – Heaven or Hell. God will force no one to accept His Son. Once a person takes their last breath on this earth, their eternal destiny is set. There will not be another opportunity to call out and ask Jesus to save you. There are no other options.
God wants everyone to repent and call on Jesus (2 Peter 3:9); however, being a true and just Heavenly Father – Our Creator – He allows us free will just as He did all the heavenly host.
If you do not have the Light of Jesus within you, it’s time to charge your batteries by getting into God’s word (Bible); and change your bulb so you will walk in the Light. He’s waiting for your call, and ready to welcome you into His flock (John 10). Today would not be too early to call – tomorrow could be too late.
Ahava B’ Shem Yeshua – Love in the Name of Jesus!