EVERLASTING LIGHT

Light is often used to describe God; indeed, ‘God is light’. Light itself is invisible, and therefore illustrates how God is a spirit. Light is pervasive and, while we take light for granted, we cannot get by without it. Light is pure and is a fitting emblem of the righteousness of God. Within light we have colour and beauty. These are ways in which God is light. But here in Isaiah we have God further described as Everlasting Light.

Man is but a momentary spark. When Jude describes the false teachers who had apostatized from Christianity he says, these are ‘wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever’, Jude 13. For a few seconds these falling stars ignite. Are they shooting out a jet of light? Or rather, are they leaving a tail of flaming vapour as they burn themselves out? From earth we look into the night and for a few seconds see a brief line and then it fades forever. What Jude describes are ungodly cultists who appear for one flamboyant showing. They write a self-help book or start a seminar which blurry-eyed multitudes wonder at like bugs flying around a lantern. But the flash is only a cheap firework. Moments after it appears its devotees are again in darkness.

Isaiah wrote of the Messiah who turns our night to day, and not just for a brief glitter, for Jesus Christ said: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life’, John 8.12. The life that Jesus spoke of is everlasting life. So this light is ongoing, unfailing and more powerful than the light of the sun. ‘The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light’, Isa. 60.19.

To be more penetrating and searching than the sun means that this Everlasting Light does not just shine on us, it shines through us and in us. Practically it changes the way we live. This is the lesson taught in the first epistle of John chapter 1 verse 7 through to chapter 2 verse 11. Isaiah goes on to show how the Eternal Light brings those who walk in it into a life of practical righteousness, Isa. 60. 21.