1-- Bible Study About Light

Bible Study About Light (edited and logically formatted by Bill Stevenson) Note:

Recently, I received the following in an e-mail from a wise Bible teacher: On Thu, Aug 13, 2009 at 7:35 PM, Harold wrote: Bill wrote, “I want to live Philippians 2:1-5 a lot more, but I know of no people who want to do likewise.” You cannot make this statement anymore for you have now met one who is like-minded. The Apostle John said that Jesus Christ is the Light. And, preceding everything John wrote and saw (including the book of Revelation), in the first chapter of the book of John is written, His Life is the Light of men, v 4 and, again in John 8:12. His Life is the benchmark by which we measure everything - including other Scripture. See Revelation 19:10b. As we lift up His Light in our lives by the embrace of His Life we, too, will see His Power on display - not to change the evil in the world, but, as He did by the example of His Life lived before us, to heal the hearts of men. Our focus has been distorted by what we have been taught from the tradition of men and the values they cling to, thereby nullifying and making void the true Power of Elohim in our lives.” “We don't understand the Power that resides within us. Light is a force. Concentrated into a laser, it will burn through any substance. Light and darkness cannot abide in the same space at the same time - it is a physical impossibility. The forces of evil in the world are going to be regardless of what we do. That is the reason Yeshua is returning - to redeem and reclaim the world. Yeshua said He did not pray for the world because He knows it will fail (John 17:9 & 15). The forces of darkness within a heart can be overcome when Light is introduced. When you flip on a switch in a darkened room, is there a struggle for that Light to be pre-eminent? No. Darkness does not flee - it dissipates. The definition of darkness is the absence of Light. Light actually causes that place of darkness to become Light. We don't fully yet comprehend the Power that resides within us.”

(And there is a nice poem titled “The Light of Jesus Never Grows Dim” at the end of this study.) Note: The following definitions are from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary with formatting improvements-LIGHT, n. lite. [L. lux, light and luceo, to shine. Eng. luck, both in elements and radical sense.] 1. That ethereal agent or matter which makes objects perceptible to the sense of seeing, but the particles of which are separately invisible. It is now generally believed that light is a fluid, or real matter, existing independent of other substances, with properties peculiar to itself. Its velocity is astonishing, as it passes through a space of nearly twelve millions of miles in a minute. Light, when decomposed, is found to consist of rays differently colored; as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The sun is the principal source of light in the solar system; but light is also emitted from bodies ignited, or in combustion, and is reflected from enlightened bodies, as the moon. Light is also emitted from certain putrefying substances. It is usually united with heat, but it exists also independent of it. 2. That flood of luminous rays which flows from the sun and constitutes day. God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. (Genesis 1) 7. Illumination of mind; instruction; knowledge. “I opened Ariosto in Italian, and the very first two lines gave me light to all I could desire.” Light, understanding and wisdom - was found in him. (Daniel 5) 8. Means of knowing. “By using such lights as we have, we may arrive at probability, if not at certainty.” 9. Open view; a visible state; a state of being seen by the eye, or perceived, understood or known. “Further researches will doubtless bring to light many isles yet undiscovered; further experiments will bring to light properties of matter yet unknown.” 11. Explanation; illustration; means of understanding. “One part of Scripture throws light on another.” 12. Point of view; situation to be seen or viewed; a use of the word taken from painting. “It is useful to exhibit a subject in a variety of lights.” “Let every thought be presented in a strong light.” “In whatever light we view this event, it must be considered an evil.”

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15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 27. 28. 29.

In Scripture, God, the source of knowledge. “God is light.” (1 John 1) Christ. “That was the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1) Joy; comfort; felicity. “Light is sown for the righteous.” (Psalm 97) Saving knowledge. “It is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8) Prosperity; happiness. “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning.” (Isaiah 58) Support; comfort; deliverance. (Micah 7) The Gospel. (Matthew 4) The understanding or judgment. (Matthew 6) The gifts and graces of Christians. (Matthew 5) A moral instructor, as John the Baptist. (John 5) A true Christian, a person enlightened. (Ephesians 5) The light of the countenance, favor; smiles. (Psalm 4) To stand in one's own light, to be the means of preventing good, or frustrating one's own purposes. To come to light, to be detected; to be discovered or found.

Note: The following is from the KJV Bible and has been slightly edited for teaching purposes. I hope that it will help you to understand “light” better. I did not use all of the 235 verses which had the 294 appearances of the word “light”; I chose the ones that could explain the proclamation in the e-mail. Figure out the reasons why I grouped and ordered and formatted the verses I used. God created Genesis 1:1-5 & 14-19 “1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth. 2 And the Earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And The Spirit Of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the First Day.” “14 And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs, for seasons, for days, and years; 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the Earth;’ and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the Earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the Fourth Day.”

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Jeremiah 31:35 “35 Thus says The LORD, Who gives the Sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the Moon and of the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea when its waves roar, The Lord of hosts is His name.” Isaiah 45:5-7 “5 ‘I am The LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me; I girded you Cyrus, though you have not known Me. 6 That they may know from the rising of the Sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me. I am The LORD, and there is none else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I The LORD do all these things.’” Psalms 74:16-17 “16 The day is Yours, the night also is Yours: You have prepared the light and the Sun. 17 You have set all the borders of the Earth; You have made summer and winter.” Ecclesiastes 11:7 “7 Truly the light is sweet, and it is a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold the Sun;” Exodus 10:21-23 “21 And The LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out you hand toward heaven so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may even be felt.’ 22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another, neither rose any from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.” Exodus 13:20-21 “20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham in the edge of the Wilderness. 21 And The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, to go by day and night. 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” (Also mentioned in Nehemiah 9:19, Psalms 78:12-14, 105:39.) Exodus 14:19-20 “19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before them and stood behind them, 20 and it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel, and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to the other, so that the one came not near the other all the night.” (Also mentioned in Nehemiah 9:10-12.)

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Psalms 118:27 “27 God is The LORD, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.” Acts 22:6-11 The Apostle Paul testified in Jerusalem, “6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come near to Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7 And I fell unto the ground and heard a voice saying unto me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom you persecute.’ 9 And they who were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid, but they heard not the voice of Him Who spoke to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And The Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there it shall be told to you all of things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them who were with me, I came into Damascus.” (Also referred to in Acts 9:1-8 and Acts 26:12-16.)

God can stop light Ezekiel 32:7-8 God the Father said to Egypt, “7 ‘And when I shall put out your light, I will cover the heaven and make its stars dark; I will cover the Sun with a cloud, and the Moon shall not give its light. 8 All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you and set darkness upon your land’, declares The Lord Jehovah.” Jeremiah 13:15-17 “15 Hear and give ear, be not proud, for The LORD hath spoken. 16 Give glory to The LORD your God before He causes darkness and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, He turns it into the shadow of death and makes it gross darkness. 17 But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride, and mine eye shall weep sore and run down with tears, because The LORD'S flock is carried away captive.” Zechariah 14:1-2 & 6-7 “1 Behold, the Day of The LORD is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 6 And it shall come to pass in that Day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 7 but it shall be one day which shall be known to The LORD, not day nor night, but it shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light.”

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Isaiah 13:9-11 “9 Behold, the Day of The LORD comes, cruel with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate, and He will destroy the sinners from it. 10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light, the Sun shall be darkened in its going forth, and the Moon shall not cause its light to shine. 11 And I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.” Amos 5:18-22 “18 Woe unto you who desire the Day of The LORD! To what end is it for you? The Day of The LORD is darkness, and not light. 19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall and a serpent bit him. 20 Shall not the Day of The LORD be darkness, and not light? Even very dark, and no brightness in it? 21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 22 Though you offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them, neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fatted beasts.” Matthew 24:29-31 Jesus Christ said, “29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the Sun be darkened, and the Moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of The Son Of Man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the Earth mourn and they shall see The Son Of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Also mentioned in Mark 13:24-27) Light overpowers darkness Ecclesiastes 2:12-13 “12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly, for what can the man do who succeeds the king? Only what he has already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as far as light excels darkness.” God the Father and Jesus Christ are light and righteousness 1 John 1:5 “5 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.” Psalms 104:1-2 “1 Bless The LORD, Oh my soul. Oh LORD my God, You are very great;

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You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who covers Yourself with light as with a garment; Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain.” Matthew 17:1-3 “1 And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into an high mountain apart, 2 and was transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the Sun, and his clothes became white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with Him.’” Psalms 4:6-7 “6 There be many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?” LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. 7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.” Habakkuk 3:3-4 “3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the Earth was full of His praise. 4 And His brightness was as the light; He had rays coming out of His hand; and there His power was hidden.” 2

Daniel 2:19-23 “19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision and Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. 20 Daniel responded and said, ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He causes kings to pass away and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who know understanding. 22 He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and The Light dwells with Him.’” 23 I thank You and praise You, Oh God of my fathers, Who has given me wisdom and might, and has made Me know what we ask of You. For You have revealed to us the King's matter.’” Micah 7:7-9 “7 Therefore I will look to The LORD; I will wait for The God of my salvation; my God will hear me. 8 Rejoice not against me, my enemy; when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, The LORD shall be a light unto me. 9 I will bear the indignation of The LORD, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to The Light and I shall behold His righteousness.”

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John 1:1-9 “1 In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In Him was life; and the life was The Light of men. 5 And The Light shined in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of The Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was he true Light, Who gives light to everyone who comes into the world.” Luke 2:25-35 “25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel. And The Holy Spirit was on him. 26 And it happened to him, being instructed by The Holy Spirit, he was not to see death before he would see The Christ of The LORD. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the Temple. And as the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do according to the custom of the Law concerning Him, 28 even he received Him in his arms, and blessed God and said, 29 ‘LORD, now You will let Your servant depart in peace according to Your word. 30 For my eyes have seen Your Salvation 31 which You have prepared before the face of all the peoples, 32 a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.’ 33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken by him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this One is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against 35 (yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’” Matthew 4:12-17 “12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15 ‘The land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 the people who sat in darkness saw great light; and to them who sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.’ (Isaiah 9:1-2) 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’” John 3:16-21 “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who believes not is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son Of God. 19 And this is the condemnation: that Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one who does evil hates the light, neither comes to The Light unless his deeds should be reproved [or exposed]. 21 But he who does truth comes to The Light, that his deeds may be clearly seen that they have been done in God.” John 8:12 “12 Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, ‘I am The Light of the world, he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have The Light of life.’” John 9:4-5 Jesus Christ said, “4 I must work the works of Him Who sent Me while it is day; the night comes when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am The Light of the world.” John 12:34-41 “34 The people answered Him, ‘We have heard out of the Law that Christ abides forever, and how can you say, “The Son Of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son Of Man?”’ 35 Then Jesus said unto them, ‘Yet a little while is The Light with you. Walk while you have The Light lest darkness come upon you, for he who walks in darkness knows not where he goes. 36 While you have Light, believe in The Light, that you may be the children of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and did hide Himself from them. 37 But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him, 38 that the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, ‘Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of The LORD been revealed?’ (Isaiah 53:1) 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, 40 ‘He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart and be converted so that I should heal them.’ (Isaiah 6:10) 41 These things said Isaiah when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.” Isaiah 42:1-7 “1 ‘Behold My Servant Whom I uphold; My Elect One, in Whom My soul delights; I have put My Spirit upon Him; He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He will not cry out, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench; He will bring forth judgment for truth. 4 He will not fail nor be discouraged until He have set judgment in the Earth, and the coastlands shall wait for His Law.’

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5 Thus says God The LORD, He Who created the heavens and stretched them out; He Who spread forth the Earth and that which comes out of it; He Who gives breath to the people upon it, and spirit to them who walk on it; 6 ‘I The LORD have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and give You for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles, 7 to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them who sit in darkness out of the prison house.’” Isaiah 60:18-22 “18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. 19 The Sun shall be no more your light by day; neither for brightness shall the Moon give light to you; but The LORD shall be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory. 20 Your Sun shall no more go down, neither shall your Moon withdraw itself, for The LORD shall be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended. 21 Your people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of My planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation. I The LORD will hasten it in its time.” Revelation 21:9-11, & 23-24; 22:3-5 “9 And there came unto me John the Apostle one of the seven angels who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, ‘Come hither, I will show you the Bride, The Lamb's wife.’ 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God; and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 23 and the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it. and the Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of them who are saved shall walk in the light of it, and the kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honor into it.” “3 And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of The Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him; 4 and they shall see his face, and His name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no lamp, neither light of the Sun, for The Lord God gives them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

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1 Timothy 6:13-16 “13 I give you charge in the sight of God, Who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He shall manifest in His time. 15 He is the blessed and only Potentate, The King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach, Whom no man hath seen, nor can see, to Whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.” John 12:42-46 “42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him Jesus Christ, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue, 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 44 Jesus cried and said, ‘He who believes on Me, believes not on Me but on Him Who sent Me. 45 And he who sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believes on Me should not abide in darkness.” Enemies of the daytime light, righteousness, and God’ truths Job 3:20-23 “20 Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, 21 who longs for death but it comes not, and searches for it more than for hidden treasures; 22 who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they can find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God has hedged in?” Job 24:13-17 “13 They are of those who rebel against the light; they do not know its ways, nor abide in its paths. 14 The murderer rises with the light; he kills the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief. 15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye shall see me, and disguises his face. 16 In the dark they break into houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime; they do not know the light. 17 For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death, if someone recognizes them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.” Isaiah 5:20 “20 Woe unto them 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!”

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Isaiah 8:19-22 “19 And when they shall say to you, “Seek them who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter. Should not a people seek their god, for the living to the dead?” 20 To the Law and to the Testimony! If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. 21 They will pass through it, hard-pressed and hungry; and it shall happen that when they shall be hungry, they will be enraged and curse their king and their God, and look upward. 22 And they shall look to the Earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.” Isaiah 9:2 “2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; they who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has The Light shined.” (See Romans 1:16-25.) Micah 2:1-2 “1 Woe to them that devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.” 2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence; also houses, and take them away; So they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.” John 3:19-20 “19 And this is the condemnation: that Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one who does evil hates the light, neither comes to The Light unless his deeds should be reproved [or exposed].” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.” God’s truths (including His commandments and judgments) Job 12:22-25 “22 He discovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light. 23 He makes the nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges the nations, and guides them. 24 He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the Earth, and causes them to wander in a pathless wilderness. 25 They grope in the dark without light, and He makes them to stagger like a drunken man.”

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Job 33:27-30 “27 He looks upon men, and if any say, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not’; 28 He will redeem his soul from going into the pit, and His life shall see the light. 29 Behold, God works all these things oftentimes with a man, 30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may enlightened with the light of the life.” Psalms 27:1 “1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 36:9-10 “9 For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light shall we see light. 10 Oh continue Your loving-kindness to them Who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.” Psalms 43:3-4 “3 Oh send out Your light and Your truth: let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacles. 4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and upon the harp will I praise You, Oh God my God.” Psalms 89:15-16 “15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound; they shall walk, Oh LORD, in the light of Your countenance. 16 In Your name they shall rejoice all day long; (See Philippians 4:4.) and in Your righteousness shall they be exalted.” Psalms 90:7-8 “7 For we are consumed by Your anger, and by Your wrath we are troubled. 8 You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.” Psalms 112:1-4 “1 “Praise You The LORD. Blessed is the man who fears The LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on Earth, the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house; and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; he is gracious and full of compassion, and righteous. Psalms 97:10-12 “10 You who love The LORD, hate evil; He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in The LORD, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.”

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Psalm 119:102-106 & 130 “102 I have not departed from Your judgments, for You have taught me. 103 How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep Your righteous judgments.” “130 The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Proverbs 6:23-24 “23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the Law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life, 24 to keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.” Isaiah 51:4-5 “4 ‘Listen to Me, My people, and give ear to Me, Oh My nation, for law shall proceed from Me, and I will make My judgment to rest as a light of the peoples. 5 My righteousness is near; My salvation has gone forth, and My arms shall judge the people; the coastlands shall wait upon Me, and on My arm shall they trust.’” 2 Peter 1:19-21 “19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto you do well that you take heed, as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by The Holy Ghost.” Acts 26:22-23 “22 ‘Having therefore obtained help of God, I Apostle Paul continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 that Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light to the people the Jews, and to the Gentiles.’” Acts 26:15-18 “15 And I Apostle Paul said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus Whom you are persecuting.’ 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen,

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and of those things I have yet reveal to you, delivering you from the people the Jews, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send you, to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in Me.’”

Acts 13:44-49 “44 And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the Word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you, but seeing that you put it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, “I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation unto the ends of the Earth.”’ 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of The Lord; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49 And the Word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 “9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, so that you should show forth the praises of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; “10 who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” Ephesians 5:8-17 “8 For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord; walk as children of light, 9 (for the fruit of The Holy Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 proving what is acceptable to The Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light, for whatsoever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He said, ‘Awake you who sleep, and arise from the dead’, and Christ shall give you light. 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of The Lord is.”

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1 John 1:5-10 “5 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. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth; 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-7 “3 But even if our gospel be hid, it is veiled to them who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this world has blinded, who believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus The Lord and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 1 John 2:8-11 “8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is now shining. 9 He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness even until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and knows not where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 2 Timothy 1:8-11 “8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God, 9 Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, Who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, 11 for which I am appointed a preacher, and an Apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”

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Indicating just and righteous individuals or people 2 Kings 8:16-19 “16 And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab King of Israel, Jehoshaphat being then King of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat King of Judah began to reign. 17 Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 18 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife, and he did evil in the sight of The LORD. 19 Yet The LORD would not destroy Judah for David His servant's sake, as He promised him to give him always a light, and to his children.” (Also in 2 Chronicles 21:4-7.) Daniel 5:9-14 “9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed, and his nobles were perplexed. 10 The queen came in to the banquet house because of the words of the king and his nobles. The queen spoke and said, ‘Oh King, live forever, do not let your thoughts terrify you, and do not let your face be changed. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. And in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him, whom the King Nebuchadnezzar your father, the King, I say, your father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers, 12 because an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, explaining of dreams, and revealing of hard sentences, and the unraveling of knots, were found in this Daniel, whom the King named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will reveal the meaning.’ 13 Then Daniel was brought in before the King. The King spoke and said to Daniel, ‘Are you that Daniel who is of the sons of the exiled of Judah, whom my father the King brought out of Judah? 14 I have even heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in you.’” Isaiah 2:3-5 “3 And many people shall go and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of The LORD, to the house of The God of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the word of The LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5 Oh house of Jacob, come let us walk in the light of The LORD. Esther 8:16 “16 The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor.”

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Isaiah 58:6-12 “6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to thy house? When you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth as the morning, (“prosperity; happiness”) and your health shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of The Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then shall you call, and The LORD shall answer; you shall cry, and He shall say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away yoke from the midst, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 10 And if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noonday; 11 and The LORD shall guide you continually and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. 12 And those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called, ‘The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.’” Isaiah 60:1-3 “1 Arise, shine, for your light is come, and the glory of The LORD is risen upon you. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the Earth, and gross darkness the people; but The LORD shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Psalms 37:3-6 “3 Trust in The LORD, and do good, so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in The LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to The LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. 6 And He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” Proverbs 4:18-19 “18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the Perfect Day. 19 The way of the wicked is as darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Proverbs 13:9 “9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.”

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Isaiah 50:10 “10 Who is among you who fears The LORD, who obeys the voice of His Servant, who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of The LORD, and rely upon his God.” See Proverbs 3:5-6. Luke 1:67-70 & 76-79 “67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, 68 ‘Blessed is The LORD, The God Of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people 69 and has raised up a horn of Salvation for us in the house of His servant David, 70 as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from eternity; 76 And you, child [John], will be called the prophet of The Highest, for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 to give knowledge of Salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, 78 through the tender mercy of our God, by with which The Dayspring from on high has visited us, 79 to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’” John 5:35 Jesus Christ said about John the Baptist, “35 He was a burning and a shining light, and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.” Luke 11:34-36 Jesus Christ said, “34 The light of the body is the eye, therefore when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light; but when your eye is bad [or evil], your body also is full of darkness. (Also mentioned in Matthew 6:22-23.) 35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in you be not darkness. 36 If your whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.” Matthew 5:14-16 “14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand, and it gives light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven.” Colossians 1:12-14 “12 Giving thanks to The Father, Who has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, 13 Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, 14 in Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins,”

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1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 “4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who get drunken are drunk in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” Romans 13:11-14 “11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envying. 14 But put on The Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

The Light of Jesus Never Grows Dim (by Glenna M. Baugh, 11-24-08, Living By Faith) This world has been so richly blessed Often we have failed to see That the light of Jesus in all its glory Was an awesome gift of majesty. Today our world is full of sin and strife So many are seeking peace in their life They do not see the light of Jesus so bright Ever shining through the darkness of night. Your heart must be opened for Jesus to come in Only then will you notice His light shine again Your pathway will be brighter for you to see The light of Jesus is a gift that is free. Jesus shines His light with warmth and love As He watches over us from heaven above The light of Jesus never grows dim As long as you have faith and follow Him. My conclusion is what Harold indicated in his e-mail about Christ-likeness should be a top priority. A true Christian should have the following as his or her top priorities:

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Philippians 2 (from the Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible) 1 So by whatever strengthening {and} consoling {and} encouraging [your relationship] in Him by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, 2 fill up {and} complete my joy by living in harmony, being of the same mind {and} one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind {and} intention. 3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit {and} empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than {and} superior to himself or herself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. 4 Let each of you esteem {and} look upon {and} be concerned for not [merely] his or her own interests, but also each for the interests of others. 5 Let this same attitude {and} purpose {and} [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. [Let Him be your example in humility.] Jude (from the Lockman’s Foundation Amplified Bible) “20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; 21 guard {and} keep yourselves in the love of God; expect {and} patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)-[Who will bring you] unto life eternal. 22 and on some have mercy and compassion who waver {and} doubt. 23 [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others have pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh {and} polluted by their sensuality.” Suggestions along with living Proverbs 3:5-6 more frequently:  Please live and share the last two Bible passages as often as you can.  Put political and church issues at a low priority. So many people need to see true Christianity being manifested by a lot more individuals.  It seems that the Age of Grace is ending, so let us use the time God allows us to have to be His righteous, influential and powerful lights to the world. 20